Just wanted to 'vent' about this, as I'm actually quite annoyed...

I've helped out with a few different Labrador Rescues for the past 5 years, and have always been treated very nicely by the rescue co-ordinators.  They've always been very appreciative of any time I've given them, whether it be homechecking, transportation or fostering, and have always accepted my help on a 'when it suits me' basis... never assuming I can do something, and have been patient if I can't help immediately.  I've really liked being treated this way, and if anything it has made me more inclined to go out of my way to help. 

I got a phone call on Saturday from a very well known rescue, no idea where they got my details from, but they left a message along the lines of 'we need a homecheck, ring for the details'.  So, rang back Saturday evening and got the person's details details... was full of cold Saturday and at a show on Sunday, so planned to ring the person needing a homecheck Monday from work.  By lunchtime I had a message asking why the homecheck hadn't been done already.  And I, being pig-headed and not taking kindly to nagging, decided I'd leave it until Tuesday to ring... Tuesday turned out to be a particularly chaotic day and it completely slipped my mind... Wednesday, again I planned to do it at lunchtime...but before lunch I'd had more phone calls from them, no message, but presumably wanting to ask why it hasn't been done.

This has REALLY REALLY REALLY annoyed me!!  I know rescues are in a desperate situation, but surely they should still treat their volunteers as volunteers.. not employees.  Especially when I don't believe I actually 'volunteered' to them in the first place!!! Apparently there's no one else in my area who can do this check, so really, you would have thought they could have given me 48 hrs (24hrs of those being a Sunday) to arrange the check.  I know I'm being mean, but it's almost put me off doing the check at all now   What does anyone else think?  Would you expect to be treated this way as a volunteer?

Pheewww... rant over anyway

Clare

I've noticed that a lot of people who are great with dogs have very poor 'people skills'. Of course there are lots of reasons why this may be urgent - rescue dog not eating in kennels etc but really these people should know that you have to treat people with respect and appreciation. I would do the homecheck, because without it presumably some poor dog doesn't get a home, but I would also let the rescue know that you don't appreciate being harassed. That said it's entirely possible that the person calling you was also a volunteer, and that they're trying to do a million things at once and being harassed by the prospective new owner