Do you love animals? Are you looking for a way to give something back? You might enjoy volunteering at your local animal shelter. During the cold winter months they fill up with animals and their volunteers tend to decrease. It�s the perfect time for you to get started. Here�s what to expect.
#1 Training
Regardless of the type of
volunteer work you�re going to be doing at your local animal shelter, chances
are you�ll have to participate in some type of training. This training is
important because it helps protect both you and the animals in your care. For
example, if you�re going to be taking care of small rodents like bunnies and
guinea pigs, you�ll need to know how to handle them so they don�t get injured.
#2 Commitment
Most animal shelters require a
weekly commitment from their volunteers. This helps them best manage their
staff and make sure that all animals receive the proper care. If you cannot
commit to volunteering an hour or two each week, it may not be the right
opportunity for you.
#3 Choices
There are so many ways you can
volunteer at your local animal shelter. Here are some of the myriad of
opportunities:
* Dog walker � Help dogs get
their daily exercise
* Cat handler � Play with and interact with cats so they�re properly socialized
* Dog coach/trainer � Work with the dogs to help increase their adoptability
* Bunny/small animal handler � Work with the small animals to help socialize
them
* Groomer � Help the animals feel more comfortable and more presentable by
grooming them
* Adoption assistant � Help people and families find the best match for them
* Foster parent � Care for pets in your home and help train and socialize them
making them better candidates for adoption
* Fundraising/behind the scenes � You don�t have to work directly with animals
to make a difference. You can volunteer your services and help manage your
local animal shelter. Help with fundraising events, staff training, volunteer
recruiting and more.
#4 Be Prepared to Get Your Hands
Dirty
Working with animals is a dirty
job. You may be asked to clean cages and you�ll most certainly come home covered
in pet hair. If you have allergies or issues with getting dirty, you may prefer
to help in a more administrative capacity. Don�t worry, all volunteers are
appreciated. In fact, because so many people want to work with the animals, the
administrative responsibilities often get overlooked by volunteers.
#5 What�s Next?
Your local animal shelter likely
has volunteer information right on their website. Visit their site and learn
what you need to do to get started. If there�s no information, simply pick up
the phone or drop in and see how you can help.
Do you love animals? Are you
looking for a way to give something back? You might enjoy volunteering at your
local animal shelter. During the cold winter months they fill up with animals
and their volunteers tend to decrease. It�s the perfect time for you to get
started. Here�s what to expect.
#1 Training
Regardless of the type of
volunteer work you�re going to be doing at your local animal shelter, chances
are you�ll have to participate in some type of training. This training is
important because it helps protect both you and the animals in your care. For
example, if you�re going to be taking care of small rodents like bunnies and
guinea pigs, you�ll need to know how to handle them so they don�t get injured.
#2 Commitment
Most animal shelters require a
weekly commitment from their volunteers. This helps them best manage their
staff and make sure that all animals receive the proper care. If you cannot
commit to volunteering an hour or two each week, it may not be the right
opportunity for you.
#3 Choices
There are so many ways you can
volunteer at your local animal shelter. Here are some of the myriad of
opportunities:
* Dog walker � Help dogs get
their daily exercise
* Cat handler � Play with and interact with cats so they�re properly socialized
* Dog coach/trainer � Work with the dogs to help increase their adoptability
* Bunny/small animal handler � Work with the small animals to help socialize
them
* Groomer � Help the animals feel more comfortable and more presentable by
grooming them
* Adoption assistant � Help people and families find the best match for them
* Foster parent � Care for pets in your home and help train and socialize them
making them better candidates for adoption
* Fundraising/behind the scenes � You don�t have to work directly with animals
to make a difference. You can volunteer your services and help manage your
local animal shelter. Help with fundraising events, staff training, volunteer
recruiting and more.
#4 Be Prepared to Get Your Hands
Dirty
Working with animals is a dirty
job. You may be asked to clean cages and you�ll most certainly come home
covered in pet hair. If you have allergies or issues with getting dirty, you
may prefer to help in a more administrative capacity. Don�t worry, all
volunteers are appreciated. In fact, because so many people want to work with
the animals, the administrative responsibilities often get overlooked by
volunteers.
#5 What�s Next?
Your local animal shelter likely
has volunteer information right on their website. Visit their site and learn
what you need to do to get started. If there�s no information, simply pick up
the phone or drop in and see how you can help.
Article by: Clem C. Benton, Jr.
http://www.12path.com/5/color/