I don’t know when exactly I started following Bruna on Instagram but her account is one I follow religiously and it has also shown that sharing her stories and reels is helping the precious souls she highlights. Bruna is a volunteer at Cobb County Animal Shelter and introduces each dog she cares for. She talks about their background, what they are like and who would be a great owner for them. I wanted to know more about her and what made her decide to become a volunteer at the shelter.
Please read and share with all your dog lovers who might be interested in giving back by volunteering at their local shelter. Also, please follow Bruna on Instagram and share her posts so the pups can get another chance to find their person.
How long have you been volunteering?
I started volunteering on July of 2023, so it has been almost 2 years now.
What led you to volunteer at the shelter?
I grew up in Brazil. There are A LOT of strays there. When I was a kid, I was always trying to play with them, feed, and sometimes even try to sneak them into my home (oops lol). My parents would always give me that look, and try to explain to me that I can’t just bring all the dogs home sometimes they would let me keep one or two, and for the ones I couldn’t keep I would try to find them new homes!! So I have always had dogs growing up. For the longest time, I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, because that was the only job I could think of that involved animals. But when I got older, I realized I didn’t want to do surgeries, vaccines, medical things…I wanted to help in a different way.
My first contact with adoption was on the Cobb shelter. It was a really tough day. There were SO many dogs in need. One dog caught my eye, he was sitting in a corner, with his head down, and just looking really sad. That’s Gustavo (he is a pointer mix). We had to take him home with us. The moment he walked through the door, he was a complete different dog, he was so happy, energetic, and excited. He was only 1 year old, and it looked like he immediately knew he was safe with us, he made sure to make himself right at home lol. Then, about two years ago, I finally decided to start volunteering there at that same shelter. At first, I signed up but kept hesitating. I was scared it would be too sad, because I knew some animals might not make it. I knew it could break my heart. But then I thought, “This is going to happen whether I want it or not. I can either show up, be there with them, give them love and make a difference in their lives, or I can just stay home and pretend I don’t know about it” So I went — and honestly, it was the best decision I ever made!
What is the best part and what is the hardest part?
The best part is believing that I am giving them quality time while they wait for their forever home. It’s also great getting to know each dog’s personality, make them feel loved, seeing a really scared dog open up to you and of course, seeing them walk through those doors with their new families.
The hardest part is definitely losing dogs. Knowing that an incredible, healthy, young, and happy dog was euthanized because of space.
How can people best support you and the shelter dogs?
The best way to support is definitely by raising awareness about the situation. Going to the shelter, seeing with your own eyes what is happening. Share posts, educate people. And if you can, volunteer! The animals rely on us to go on their daily walks, we are the only interaction they have with people, we are the best part of their day. But if you can’t volunteer, you can share the videos I post of them, so they can be seen and reach as many people as we can and hopefully save their lives! I believe there is a person out there for every single dog! Some people will see a dog on a video, and for any reason immediately identify with him. Sometimes even out of state, they drive for hours to adopt a dog that they have never even seen in person, just on a video.
Is there anything else you want to get off your chest and are comfortable sharing?
I believe that as long as human beings can’t love one another, they won’t be able to fully love animals or nature …