Many people find it hard to believe that we have 130 employees at Pasadena Humane. I wish I could introduce you to every one of these compassionate and hardworking professionals.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be writing about some of the essential frontline jobs at an animal shelter and introduce you to a few of the dedicated people in those roles.
First up, we’ll head over to the Animal Resource Center, or “ARC”, as it is affectionately called by Pasadena Humane team members. The main goal of the Animal Resource Center is to support the welfare of the animals in our community, as well as the people who love them.
Working in ARC requires excellent customer service and listening skills paired with the ability to think fast on your feet. “No two days are the same, which is great because it keeps us on our toes, and we’re constantly learning and improving,” explains Tatihana Flores, an Animal Resource Specialist at Pasadena Humane.
Tatihana and her colleagues in ARC help pet owners in crisis by connecting them to resources for their pets. Animal Resource Specialists also facilitate the intake of stray animals, owner surrendered pets, injured wildlife, and deceased animals. And, they facilitate the return of lost animals to their owners, which is Tatihana’s favorite responsibility.
One reunification story in particular stands out for Tatihana. A stray dog named Happy arrived and was put up for adoption after no one claimed him during the stray hold period. A few weeks went by without Happy being adopted.
Then, Happy’s owner, an unhoused man who had been traumatically separated from his beloved dog, came into ARC looking for his pet. The man was overcome with tears when he found Happy still at the shelter, and Happy could not contain his joy at being reunited with his guardian.
“It’s the moments like this that really touch your heart and make this job so rewarding,” according to Tatihana.
For Tatihana, another great thing about working in ARC…
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