Working with animals in a shelter is not the same as working with the animals in a home. The history and experiences of shelter animals are typically not known. When an animal has endured neglect and abuse, the effects can be observed. But it is uncertain how the animal will respond in various situations. In addition, an animal's behavior can quickly change based on its ability to cope with being in a shelter environment. Some animals may regress, while others may become agitated. For these reasons, volunteers must be cautious and mindful of their actions when interacting with the animals and continuously practice the safety procedures established by the shelter.

At Our Pal's Place, we require potential volunteers to attend a three-hour volunteer orientation that includes an introduction to our operations and discussion of our safety procedures. In addition, new care-giving volunteers must complete three one-on-one training sessions with an experienced volunteer.

Volunteers are taught to follow the information posted on boards at the shelter, which provide care-giving and safety steps needed when interacting with our animals. Volunteers are also repeatedly told not to interact with animals with whom they are not comfortable. Animals sense fear, and a fearful volunteer puts the animals and people in harm's way.

If a volunteer is confronted with a dogfight, they are taught not to put their body in the fight, including grabbing the dog by the collar, but rather find an object to separate the animals, such as a trash can lid or broom, or use the "Direct Stop" spray located in each room.

It is when safety procedures are not followed that volunteers get hurt. Each volunteer signs a release of liability form stating they understand the responsibility of working with rescue animals and will follow our safety procedures.

Does "no kill" mean an organization never euthanizes an animal, even if the animal is suffering? Or does "no kill" mean an organization does not euthanize an animal except for reasons such as not passing a temperament test, being sick, biting a human?

Who determines what are acceptable reasons to euthanize? Who determines if an animal is adoptable or not? These are the questions that "no-kill" organizations often debate and ultimately must address within their operations.

At Our Pal's Place, we are committed to finding our animals an environment that is best suited for their needs. That requires the patience to carefully place our special-needs dogs.

Our intake team includes a professional trainer to meet, assess and determine which animals are accepted into our organization. We use a form of temperament test to determine the needs of our animals. Specially trained volunteers then work with our animals to help them with identified issues. Our adoption management team performs thorough screening to ensure our animals are placed in homes appropriate to their temperament and based on their needs. No process is fail-proof, and we are constantly assessing our procedures to ensure we are doing the very best for our animals, volunteers and adoptive families. We are proud of having rescued and placed more than 500 animals, including special-needs cases, with minimal returns.

We have only one dog that we deem not adoptable and are actively working with sanctuaries to find a better place for him to live.

In the Atlanta metro area, 70 percent of animals who enter a county shelter are killed. There are more than 400 animal-related organizations licensed by the Department of Agriculture in Georgia, including county shelters and rescue organizations who are trying to help these animals.

If you want be part of the solution and save lives, find an organization you are comfortable with. If you become uncomfortable, leave. There are plenty of other organizations that need your help, since most rescue organizations, like Our Pal's Place, are completely volunteer-based. Please do not let the unfortunate experience of a few deter you from helping millions of animals in need.

> Gigi Graves is executive director of Our Pal's Place.