JCARL director hopes to renovate, build up volunteers and donations

Sarah Siperstein says she has fairly thick skin. That’s an important attribute, considering the sharp teeth around her.

Siperstein took over as the Jasper County Animal Rescue League and Humane Society director in late April. Not only is she around the sharp teeth of the dogs, cats and other animals that come into the shelter, but also the biting criticism and sharp emotions that sometimes go with running an animal rescue league.

“I’m still learning a lot each day,” Siperstein said. “This can be a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of role, at times. But you figure out how to do more with less, and how to find more resources.”

The Waterloo native brought home many stray animals while growing up. After attending the University of Northern Iowa, serving in the active-duty military and then working for a year as a truck driver, Siperstein applied for some rescue-league jobs and was offered the job as the Jasper County director almost immediately after interviewing.

Siperstein is a nationally certified vet tech and still serves in the Army National Guard.

“When I took this job, I knew fundraising and finding volunteers were both very important,” she said. “But I didn’t realize those two elements were so huge. So much of what we do involves planning ways to raise money, and finding money where there doesn’t seem to be any.”

The 29-year-old director said there are pros and cons to not being from the area. She’s a new face with a fresh outlook, with no preconceived idea of what JCARL is or what it has been in the past, but she also is still getting familiar with funding sources and places that troubled animals have frequently been discovered.

“People don’t realize how important it is to have connections, to know where to go to get things,” Siperstein said. “I am pretty much cold-calling people at times, asking if they’ll donate.”

JCARL sets up at a number of community events, including regular appearances at Newton’s Family Video store and Saturday’s race events at nearby Iowa Speedway, where the rescue league has been chosen to sell 50-50 raffle tickets. Volunteers are still needed at the Speedway and at all events, Siperstein said.

Speaking of the Speedway, the track is an important source of community revenue and great fun for many humans, but summer race weekends pose one of the many unique challenges the shelter faces. Much like fireworks, the roar of nearby racing cars riles up the animals — especially the dogs.

“We try to calm them down with what are called ‘thundershirts,’” Siperstein said. “Those are tight-fitting dog shirts that tend to calm the animal down, like a tight hug, when there are thunder, fireworks or other loud noises.”

Siperstein only has facilities manager Corissa Mapes, a receptionist and one animal control officer as her paid staff. A second animal control officer is set to begin this week. She said the hard work of the convicts who are a part of work-release program is essential.

“If it weren’t for the work-release people, we would probably have to close,” she said.

Siperstein handles administrative duties, while Mapes heads up the animal side of the day-to-day operation of the rescue. The shelter is pressed for space, and has cages in nearly every possible room and indoor space, keeping euthanization to an absolute minimum.

Siperstein said she’s aware rescue directors tend to burn out quickly, and it’s important to have a long-range plan and be flexible. She’d like to see the league’s events planned out about four months in advance, and she’d like to get a separate garage built and new tile installed.

There is a roller-coaster ride of emotions for many employees and volunteers in the rescue industry. Siperstein said she tries to remain as level-headed as possible and focus on the next important task ahead.

“What makes me sad are the people who can’t afford to care for an animal, or those that don’t see the value of animals,” she said. “What makes me happy are seeing animals go to great homes.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com