Volunteering At An Animal Shelter

Everyone Can Spare A Little Time For Man's Best Friend

Jun 18, 2009

Animal shelters are more crowded than ever and that means more volunteers are needed. A few hours of time can go a long way and there are many ways to help.

What Do Animal Shelter Volunteers Do?

Animal shelters, whether privately or municipally funded, have paid staff members. But, there are never enough hands and hiring more permanent staff isn't always an option due to budget constraints. That is why shelters need volunteers. The current state of the economy has left many people devastated and even homeless. Animals have been the unwitting victims of this and now sit in crowded shelters awaiting a new "forever" home. Remember, shelter animals are not second hand pets. They are loving, often well-trained animals that just want to be loved.

Shelters have a variety of duties available for those who want to volunteer. They are always in need of people to work directly with the animals to exercise them, show them to potential adopters, and just give them love and attention. Many feel that they cannot handle the emotions that come with working with the animals one on one in a shelter environment. It can be a demanding role and it isn't for everyone. But, there are other jobs that are just as important. Shelters need volunteers to work in their offices, stuffing envelopes, filing, entering data, and more. Assistance is also needed with events and fund raisers. For those who just cannot bear to be at the shelter, event help is a way to join in without wanting to adopt every animal in the shelter.

Pet Visitation and Other Programs

Studies have shown that animals bring joy and comfort to hospital and nursing home patients. Many people in these facilities have had to give up a beloved pet. The interaction between patient and animal can actually help improve a patient's emotional state.

Shelters with pet visitation programs put the pet and owner or handler through a series of tests and trials to make certain that the animal can handle the rigors of a hospital atmosphere. Pets involved in these programs are required to be spayed or neutered and must have all vaccines kept up to date.

Another program that is vital to shut-ins is pet food delivery. Many shelters collect pet food through donations and then have volunteers deliver the food to people who are unable to get out and shop or simply can't afford to purchase food for their pets on a regular basis.

Fostering Animals

Puppies and kittens are not always ready to be adopted as soon as they arrive at a shelter. Often, they are too young, underweight or sick and need to be fostered until they are well enough and of the proper weight to be adopted. Fostering is serious business and requires a real commitment from volunteers. A foster might be asked to take an entire litter of kittens and care for them for several weeks. Shelters will typically cover any veterinary costs associated with foster programs, but the foster parents will provide the food.

Animals return the love and respect they are given tenfold. Any act of kindness shown them matters to them. Volunteering for the sake of animals will always be time well spent. Contact local shelters to find out more.

The copyright of the article Volunteering At An Animal Shelter in Pet Care is owned by Lori Cooper. Permission to republish Volunteering At An Animal Shelter in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.