Animals – Jimmy Marwan Kassis

How Volunteers Can Support Animal Shelters

Westland, Michigan resident Jimmy Marwan Kassis possesses a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an Emergency Medical Technician certification. In his free time, Jimmy Marwan Kassis enjoys hiking, working out, and volunteering at animal shelters.

Animal shelters are always in need of caring volunteers to help them carry out their mission. Volunteers can support a shelter’s work through the following activities:

1. Fostering – One of the most important volunteer roles occurs outside of the shelter. Fosterers bring home cats or dogs and care for them until a forever home is found. This allows the animal to get used to living in a home environment and opens up a space for other stray or abandoned animals.

2. Maintenance – Animal shelters require constant cleaning. Cages need to be well-maintained to keep the animals free from diseases. There also may be opportunities to perform landscaping or other light repairs to ensure that the shelter looks presentable and attracts potential adopters.

3. Socializing – Domestic animals such as cats and dogs must become accustomed to humans before they are ready for adoption. Volunteers can teach dogs basic commands and train them on how to walk on a leash. Cats should be slowly socialized through petting, grooming, and gentle handling.

How to Protect Dog Paws on Long Walks

After earning a degree in psychology from Wayne State University, Jimmy Marwan Kassis started a position as an emergency medical technician for Beaumont Emergency Medical Services in Taylor, Michigan. When he is not delivering life-saving medical care, Jimmy Marwan Kassis volunteers at local animal shelters and takes his dogs on frequent walks.

While long walks are an excellent form of exercise for dogs, owners should take precautions to protect their dogs’ paws. Paw pads can become dry, blistered, or raw from rough terrain or overly-hot pavement. The road salt used to melt ice during the winter can also irritate a dog’s paws.

Dogs will build up callouses to textured terrain over time. Owners should expose their dogs to rougher surfaces gradually and inspect their paws closely after every walk. In the summertime, dogs should not walk for long periods on hot pavement. Applying a pad moisturizer before walks can also prevent burns. In some situations, it may be best to train the dog to tolerate wearing specially-designed boots or shoes.

Michigan Becomes Second No-Kill State in the United States

The recipient of a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wayne State University, Jimmy Marwan Kassis is a certified EMT-B with Beaumont EMS in Taylor, Michigan and who provides emergency care to critically ill and injured patients. When he isn’t working, Jimmy Marwan Kassis enjoys volunteering at animal shelters.

In September 2019, Michigan became the second no-kill state, meaning shelters will place increased emphasis on animal treatment and rehabilitation. It doesn’t necessarily mean the banning of euthanasia; rather, that will now serve primarily as an act of mercy for animals who are deemed too sick or those that display vicious tendencies. Animals with easily-treatable injuries or illnesses will be properly cared for and returned to their owners or put up for adoption.

The legislation is the latest progression for animal welfare in Michigan. Whereas in years past as many as 120,000 dogs would be put down, that number decreased drastically in 2018 to 13,000 as the state reported a live release rate for shelter cats and dogs of 90 percent. Delaware was the first no-kill animal shelter state in the US and California is hoping to achieve that status within five years thanks in part to a proposed $50 million grant as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020-21 budget proposal.