A new perspective on search
14.06.2024
Dan Jermy’s Volunteering Experience
In the US alone, more than 600,000 perfectly healthy cats and dogs are euthanised per year in gas chambers simply because there are too many for the rescue/adoption system to hold.
Wilton and Bain Partner Dan Jermy and his wife began volunteering at Austin Animal Center with On Hand in 2021. It wasn’t until they started volunteering at the shelter that they truly understood the neglect, suffering and plight of shelter animals. But also the wonderful adoption/rescue stories that can come in finding forever homes.
The Jermys try to get to the shelter at least once a week to help with tasks like walking the dogs and cleaning the kennels or cat cages. Other things that they get involved with are adoption ambassador duties, like helping match potential adopters with animals, helping animals get ready for transportation to different states, leading/contributing to events for the public to raise awareness, donations and adoptions, and helping animals with rehab from surgeries. Without volunteers like Dan, life for the animals would look a lot different.
Why does volunteering mean so much to Dan?
“It’s a real love-hate relationship. It’s a depressing place to go to but I love spending time with the dogs (and cats) and I hope that what little I do makes a small difference. To me, the awareness is as important as anything.”
Dan Jermy, Partner at Wilton and Bain
What else do the Jermys do to support the centre?
The Austin Animal Shelter is state-run and funded (criminally underfunded) by local government. In 2022 Dan and his wife embarked on a fundraising campaign to help the shelter. Dan ran a half marathon, a marathon and an ironman over a 1 month period and his wife ran a half marathon. They raised more than $5,000, and instead of wedding gifts they asked for donations to the shelter which raised another $2500-3,000.
Dan’s dog Cora is adopted from Austin Animal Centre as is their adopted cat Weasley who are both firmly a part of the family and take up more than their fair share of the bed!
Find out more about Dan by visiting his Wilton and Bain page, or find him on LinkedIn here.
