Volunteers | Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

Volunteer Updates

Jan 5, 2024

We are so excited about everything coming up at the sanctuary this year. We will expand our volunteer program by continuing to welcome new volunteers, adding new sign-up opportunities with cats and dogs as well as other opportunities such as maintenance and clerical assistance, and building an enrichment team, to name just a few. We currently have three levels or tiers of volunteer status for our dog volunteers. It’s up to each volunteer to decide if you would like to advance through the tiers or stay at a specific tier; either is okay as we have multiple opportunities at every tier. Those who would like to advance to tier three will now be required to complete the “Fear Free Shelter Program.”

The Fear Free Shelter Program is an internationally known program that is completed online. After a brief introduction to Fear Free, volunteers will work

through four mandatory modules, which must be taken in consecutive order. Each module will end with an exam, which must be successfully completed before moving on to the next module. Progress on work can be saved at any time, giving you the flexibility to self-pace throughout the program. The core modules take approximately 5 hours to complete. You will be awarded a Fear Free Shelter Program Certificate of Completion when all four modules are completed. You can learn more about the program and register here: https://fearfreeshelters.com/about/. To register for the course, you will need a signed form from us. You can find them on the bulletin board in the tack room or email Michele at michele@halliehill.com.

All staff have completed the course, and our amazing volunteers Lynn Rosato, Laura Tudor, Lorraine Guyton, and Dareen Seipel have also completed it! Way to go, ladies; thank you for your dedication to understanding and improving the lives of our sanctuary residents!

Volunteer Spotlight: Josh Taber and Donna Gamble

Dec 14, 2023

Josh Taber and Donna Gamble are a dynamic duo who have been volunteering regularly on Sundays to clean and improve Hallie Hill’s beautiful cemetery, Angels’ Crossing. It is a big job to maintain Angels’ Crossing. Josh and Donna do the necessary maintenance, like trimming trees, leveling gravestones, and fighting the weeds. They have also added small flags to embellish the walkways and sturdy handmade benches where visitors can sit, rest, and reflect as they walk the winding paths through the peaceful wooded space. Josh and Donna’s generous donation of their time, energy, and unique skills has beautified this incredibly special place for everyone to appreciate.

We also have Donna to thank for the annual donation of her beautiful, handmade quilts, which we raffle to benefit the animals at the Sanctuary each November. This year, the raffle raised over $6,400 for the animals of Hallie Hill. We at Hallie Hill are so grateful and lucky to have volunteers with these unique talents to help make the Sanctuary a remarkable place for humans and animals alike. Thank you, Donna and Josh; we are blessed to have you as valued members of our Hallie Hill family.

GivingTuesday: How To Help Hallie Hill On November 28

Nov 22, 2023

On GivingTuesday, November 28, we are accepting donations to help care for the 200-plus animals that call the sanctuary home. GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement to help people and organizations transform their communities and the world. It is the beginning of the generosity season this year, inspiring people to give back on November 28 and throughout the year. Hallie Hill’s GivingTuesday 2023 fundraiser aims to raise $40,000.

Contributions made will provide essential funding for various expenses related to caring for our animal residents. This includes costs like microchipping, vaccinations, spaying and neutering, food, medications, utilities, and more.

Here is a detailed list of what some donation values can cover:

$10- microchip or vaccinate a dog or cat

$15- cover heartworm prevention for a month

$20 – feed a dog for a month

$50- spay or neuter a dog or cat

$100- purchases 100 days of arthritis pain medication for 1 senior dog

$500- treat a dog for heartworm disease

Those interested in joining our GivingTuesday initiative can visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/1364646607784787/345126688168098 to make a Facebook donation with no transactional fees or go to Classy at https://www.classy.org/campaign/giving-tuesday-2023/c530135. Thank you for your support this Holiday Season.

Volunteer Spotlight: Gerard DeCocker

Nov 8, 2023

Gerard DeCocker is a volunteer in our ‘Barn Buddies’ program. He loves to visit with our barn dogs, especially Lolly, Edna, and Dixie. Gerry always brings a smile to our face, especially when he shows up with donuts for everyone to enjoy (except the dogs, of course!) Gerry brings a chair and sits in the stall with each barn dog while giving them lots of love, pets, brushes, and a few treats here and there! He also brings his personal leaf blower to help keep the sanctuary looking beautiful. We appreciate Gerry and are so grateful for his kindness and the love he shows the animals of Hallie Hill. Thank you, Gerry!

Volunteer Spotlight: LouAnn Kellner

Oct 20, 2023

“I was born in Iowa, moved to Maryland in elementary school, and then I found the beautiful Lowcountry on a Spring Break with my family in 2006. My sister Joan, “the other cat sister” transferred to SC in 2012. So, retirement in the Charleston area in December of 2018 seemed like a good fit for me! In April of 2019, the cat sisters
made their debut in the Hallie Hill Cattery!
I have had rescued cats in my life most of my 60+ years. I guess I should really say those cats rescued me! Cats are very attentive, vocal, amusing, and therapeutic in my opinion. Additionally, I feel cats are generally low maintenance. How can you
not love someone who snuggles and purrs?
Katerina came home with me in March of 2021, and she has brought so much
joy to my life. With my 40+ years of nursing experience, modified for cats, and
my sister’s willingness to do the hard physical labor, we make a great team. If
you make an appointment to foster or adopt a cat on most Sunday mornings,
you can see the cat sisters in action!”

Volunteer Spotlight: Hannah Tyre

Sep 12, 2023

I’m a Georgia girl from a little town called Baxley in South Georgia. I attended Georgia Southern University and earned my B.A. in Philosophy & Religious Studies. I love the beach, reading a good book, traveling, music (especially Aerosmith), and most importantly, cheeseburgers! When I first stepped foot onto Hallie Hill, I was instantly drawn to the land, animals, and people. It all took me back to some of my best memories spent at my grandparents’ house in Surrency, a small dot on the map just outside of Baxley. I spent most of my life outside surrounded by a southern landscape filled with farm animals, dogs, cats, and a Donkey named Toothpick. So, needless to say, loving animals is a part of who I am. But more importantly I have always had a passion to serve and help. Here at Hallie Hill, I get the best of both worlds. My job consists of bringing a community of people together to do great things to further the mission of Hallie Hill in support of our furry residents!