Animal Services Volunteer Hours Increased in 2024

Riverside County Animal Services recently celebrated a major milestone for two special volunteers and the department is seeing an increase in service in 2024.

Larry Rudolph of Jurupa Valley and Joseph (Joey) Guilin of Riverside both surpassed the 4,000-hour mark in service to the county department. And, overall, volunteers provided more hours of service that will result in a projection of a 14-percent increase compared to 2023 numbers.

The Rudolph-Guilin accomplishments both occurred in November, marking a milestone first for Animal Services. Of the hundreds of volunteers who have assisted Animal Services, only a handful make it to 1,000 hours, said Volunteer Services Manager Candace Falkenstien.

“That’s what makes Larry’s and Joey’s 4,000-plus mark so amazing,” Falkenstien said. “Both men are very humble and would likely grumble at us for such a public recognition. But they deserve to be honored for their dedicated service toward homeless pets.”

Falkenstien said their volunteerism is an inspiration for all county volunteers. Mr. Rudolph has been volunteering since 2013 and Mr. Guilin, who works for a supermarket distribution company, started in 2022.

“That’s what makes Joey’s feat so amazing,” she said. “He reached 4,000 hours in a very short time.”

Mr. Rudolph, a retiree who worked as a director of service and installation for ADT Security Services and served in the U.S. Marines, has filled just about every volunteer role. He has also pulled off the hat trick of assisting staff at the three largest shelters in Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto and Thousand Palms.

“The only shelter he has not made it to is Blythe – but knowing Larry, he’ll make it out there one day, too,” Falkenstien said.

Larry Rudolph has been around so long the staff consider him a family member, she said. He has volunteered at the lobby counter, assisted with adoptions, transported animals from shelter to shelter and helps during major events.

The two marathon volunteers do have different personalities. Mr. Guilin’s passion is getting dogs out of the kennel runs and socializing with them in the large play yards. Oftentimes, he works his regular job shift and shows up to the shelter to work many more hours.

“Whereas Larry loves working face to face with the public, Joey prefers dealing less with the public and more with our four-legged friends,” Falkenstien said. “He loves hands-on work with the dogs that need socializing and human interaction to give them a chance to become more adoptable.”

Meanwhile, she said she’s excited that 2024 will end up being a great year for volunteerism. The department is on track to record approximately 25,000 total hours by the end of December. As of Dec. 17, approximately 22,400 hours had been logged. Compared to 2023 numbers at this time, the tally was just shy of 16,000.

Volunteerism is a very altruistic act, but it also helps Animal Services in a major financial manner, said Interim Director Kim Youngberg. She said the volunteerism is invaluable because the hours can be used to illustrate and assist during grant-writing applications. A robust volunteer program is highly beneficial in the grant-writing process, she said.

The 22,400 hours recorded so far in 2024 would equate to roughly $804,000 when calculated using the state’s Independent Sector Rate of $35.96 per hour.  

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