Have you ever considered volunteering to help in an animal organization? Did you hold back, thinking you wouldn’t have enough time to offer, or don’t have the skills it would require? It’s time to give it a second thought. This coming Tuesday, November 8th, PetSmart Charities’ People Saving Pets is hosting Volunteer Action Day.
Did you know that most regular volunteer shifts are for less than four hours? That shelters and rescues would be happy to have you volunteer even just once? Did you know that there are a myriad of different ways you can offer your time?
Animal rescue organizations are in dire need of help. Why? Because there are so many animals in dire need of help. The more volunteers an organization has, the more it can accomplish.
Thanks to our lousy economy and what it has forced many pet owners to do – relinquish their beloved pets – as well as preventing many from adopting a new pet, there are more pets in need of temporary homes. Many organizations utilize foster homes for the pets in their care. You, too, could be a foster. What better way to show your love for animals, than to open your home to a pet in need of one?
Some organizations even cover the costs of caring for that pet. From the food, litter and any medications to vet visits, it may not cost you to foster. All that is asked of you is to provide a loving environment for the pet, to be a temporary guardian for them. The organization we volunteer with does just that. And they are in need of more foster homes. Daily, they must turn away pleas for help with animals in need, only because they do not have homes to place them in.
In addition, help is always needed at adoption events – our organization holds them every Saturday at local PetSmart stores. Whether it is with dogs or cats, people are needed to assist with handling the animals, and with people interested in learning more about a particular pet. A desire to help is the only required skill.
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Prefer to be with animals only? Dog walkers are a necessity for the health and well-being of the dogs staying in kennels. Regular pet care is a necessity.
Also, general maintenance or cleaning chores are always needing to be tended to. Paperwork, phone calls, fundraising – these are just some of the many other duties in need of volunteers. Check with your local organization for what they need, and what you can offer.
Have a knack for relating with animals, helping them to become more sociable with people or other pets? You could be a lifesaver for ones like Freedom, a shy kitty. Don’t have any pets of your own? Your home would be a purrfect temporary home (or permanent?) for a kitty like Sophie, who needs to be an only-pet.
Whatever you do, please don’t assume you don’t have “what it takes” to help. Anyone who has volunteered will tell you, it’s amazing what they not only could offer, but what they feel they’ve received in return for their efforts. The chance to save a life, the opportunity to help an animal in need, or the thrill of offering your home to a homeless pet – priceless.
Take advantage of Volunteer Action Day – get involved. You’ll be glad you did.
thank you for this most important post.
I really need to get on the stick in 2012 and cut down my daily blogging for REAL LIFE volunteering.
That is one of my many goals for 2012!
I think many people think organizations are going to try to take up a ton of your time, and really they are just so grateful for a few hours per month. I volunteer for Fairy DogParents (fairydogparents.org). I approached them with skills I had and pitched the founder to let me create and manage a Facebook fan page and re-vamp their e-mail newsletter. I also solicited some free inbound and e-mail marketing advice from friends to help the newsletter and website. Everyone has skills, or KNOWS someone with skills that they can bring to a volunteer organization, no matter how big or small the org! The reward is huge and the people you meet are amazing!
@Cat Chat With Caren And Cody – I found it was actually easier to just start doing something, then working it around my others things when I could. One of the most positive things about volunteering is that you don’t have to be tied to certain times or amount of time if you can’t swing it. Go get ’em, Caren! 😉
@Erin – You’ve contributed an impressive and invaluable set of skills to your organization, of which I’m sure they’re eternally grateful for! Absolutely, everyone has skills, everyone can do something. And there’s nothing better than being involved with like-minded people.
So true Kim. Our shelter needed everything from cat cuddlers to dog walkers to event planners to people just calling adoptees to see how their new pet is doing. there is so much so many people can do to help and it an work around their schedule too.
I did not know that November 8th was Volunteer Action Day. Our company is celebrating it on November 18th as a day of service. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any animal-related options. I’ll be looking elsewhere.
Great post on an important topic. I agree with you that volunteering doesn’t need to be hard. A while back I volunteered to help at a low-cost shot clinic in a town I was just passing through. No long term commitment – just one day of my time. I couldn’t have enjoyed myself more, and they were happy to have the help.