Countless donated hours

Did you know that AAI is 100% volunteer-run? Nobody involved in the operations of the organization is paid a salary/ wage or other compensation for their time. We all firmly believe that saving lives is a fabulous goal to invest our time in and couldn't possibly imagine taking a "cut" from the contributions which our donors have worked hard for and which are so badly needed by the innocent pups and kitties AAI helps.

So is AAI run by the independently wealthy? Not at all (although wouldn't that be fantastic?!). We have bills to pay and thus we have jobs that keep us plenty busy. Which means operating AAI is a fascinating juggling act! Today, I'll share with you a glimpse into my world and how I attempt to balance running much of AAI with having a full time job and a life.

I get up early, usually around 5-5:30 am (Pacific). I'm not necessarily a morning person by default but I trained myself to be that since it serves a functional purpose. Lots of mail/ posts/ updates typically accumulate at night. Why? Because many of the rescuers and vets we work with are in vastly different time zones so my night is their day and therefore their active time (we have a 10-hour difference with Romania and Bulgaria, for example). I catch up on all of the AAI updates in-between having breakfast, walking, feeding, and playing with my pups (boy, do they have energy in the mornings!), and getting ready for work.

Work breaks, lunch time, coffee breaks - a standing order of business is to check what is happening with AAI (my phone or laptop are with me close to 100% of the time). I am blessed with a wonderful co-admin of AAI's Facebook page, the awesome Abby. Abby lives on the East Coast and works from home so we tag team and hand off work plenty during the week. The end of the day is catch-up time as well. When the world around me quiets down, the pups fall asleep next to me on the sofa, I'm done with social and personal activities, and it's just me, my laptop, and a cup of tea... I organize correspondence, pay bills, get upcoming cases ready. Because in the morning, the juggling act starts again.

I have no idea how many hours a week I spend on AAI. My friends and family know (and mostly very graciously accept) the fact that I check my phone a lot. Because I want to thank donors as soon as possible. Because I want to chat with the rescuers and not make them stay up any later than it already is in their country just so they can communicate with me. Because I believe saving lives through AAI is one of the best things I could ever spend my time on!