Buzz
When considering volunteering at an animal shelter, the typical images of walking dogs or grooming cats might come to mind. Yet, the scope of opportunities extends far beyond! Shelters often seek volunteers for administrative tasks, participation in adoption events, cleaning dishes and food bowls, housekeeping, special events such as adoption programs or demonstrations, fostering animals, and many more important responsibilities. Before embarking on your volunteering journey, it's essential to prepare yourself to work diligently, dedicate your time, and possibly encounter animals that are ill or have been mistreated.
Key Steps
How to Apply for Volunteer Work
Contact your nearby animal shelter or humane society. The organization might have a designated contact person or a 'volunteer coordinator' who can assist you in getting involved at their facility. Explore the shelter's website and look for any available information for volunteers. While some shelters may provide limited details on their websites, others might not have websites at all.
- Previous or current volunteers can also offer valuable insights.
- Search online for shelters located near your residence or workplace. Consider factors such as proximity, the species of animals, and the specific needs of each shelter. If two shelters are situated close to each other but one has a more urgent requirement for volunteers, opting for that shelter might be more beneficial.
- Familiarize yourself with the protocols, tools, and procedures followed at the shelter, as well as their facilities and animal interaction practices.
Visit the shelter and inquire about volunteer opportunities. Reach out via phone, visit their website, or drop by the shelter in person. Assess the environment and observe the well-being of the animals. If you feel it's the right fit for you, request a volunteer application. Most shelters will provide a form to fill out, along with essential guidelines.
- Don't hesitate to ask the staff any questions you may have about volunteering.
- If possible, speak directly with the owner or a shelter employee. If the owner isn't available, an employee or existing volunteer can usually assist you in reaching out to them.
Complete the application process. This could involve filling out a physical form or completing an online application. You may be required to submit a birth certificate and photo ID. Ensure that you carefully and honestly fill out the application, verifying that all information provided is accurate.
- You might undergo a criminal background check as shelters prioritize trustworthy volunteers.
- If you can't locate an application, try contacting the shelter via phone to inquire about volunteer opportunities. Alternatively, visit the shelter in person when you have free time.
Familiarize yourself with the volunteer requirements. Each shelter has its own set of requirements, often tailored to the specific tasks you'll be undertaking. Prior experience with animals is beneficial, especially if you'll be directly interacting with them. Generally, volunteers must:
- Be at least 16 years old (sometimes 18). Younger individuals may participate in family volunteer programs where parents and children volunteer together. Explore multiple shelters; if one doesn't accept volunteers of your age, another might.
- Commit to a long-term volunteer role. Some shelters may require a commitment of up to a year to justify the training investment. Many expect at least one scheduled shift every other week, lasting for two hours or more, depending on workload.
- Meet physical requirements. Most roles involve standing or walking for up to 3 hours and lifting weights exceeding 20 pounds.
- Have the ability to perceive and interpret animal behavior and body language, particularly if working directly with animals.
- Maintain a positive attitude, crucial in handling the emotional challenges of a shelter environment.
Participate in the training session. Many shelters offer training sessions for new volunteers before they commence their duties. This typically includes a facility tour, job instructions, and introductions to staff members. Depending on the shelter, you may need to RSVP for a monthly group training session or receive training at your convenience. Seek further details from shelter personnel.
- Adhere to any additional requirements set by the shelter before commencing duties, such as immunizations against common animal-transmitted diseases.
Establish a suitable volunteering schedule. Determine times that align with your availability, whether after work or school, or during weekend mornings or afternoons. Shelter staff will typically assign tasks according to scheduled times, such as bathing, socializing, or feeding animals. Some shelters have designated volunteer shifts, while others offer flexibility for drop-in assistance. Confirm available days and time slots with staff and select the most convenient option for your schedule.
Join the waiting list. Don't lose heart if the owner informs you that they aren't currently accepting volunteers or if there's no suitable time slot available. Request to be placed on the volunteer waiting list. Being on this list means they may contact you when an opportunity arises.
Choosing the Ideal Shelter
Determine which animals you prefer to assist. While most shelters primarily house dogs and cats, it's rare to find facilities that cater to more exotic pets. You might have the option to specialize in either dogs or cats, or be tasked with caring for both. Keep in mind that direct interaction with animals might require some tenure at the shelter initially.
Explore available volunteer roles. Responsibilities may vary from specific assignments to versatile tasks based on the shelter's needs. You might need to complete support duties before handling animals directly. Tasks like laundry, dishwashing, floor maintenance, and administrative work are vital for shelter operations.
- Inquire about on-site and off-site volunteer opportunities. Apart from on-site tasks like walking dogs and grooming animals, shelters often organize off-site adoption events or fundraisers where assistance is required.
- If you possess any relevant skills, make them known to the shelter! Volunteers can contribute in various ways, such as website management, legal assistance, medical services, photography for adoption profiles, or creating and donating artwork to support the shelter's cause.
Ensure volunteering aligns with your schedule. Most volunteer commitments fall within a shelter's operating hours, although occasional animal care and maintenance tasks might extend beyond regular hours. Shelters typically operate seven days a week, with slightly reduced hours on weekends.
Becoming a Volunteer
Prepare yourself for volunteering. Consider bringing your own lunch and dressing appropriately for outdoor tasks, considering the weather. Footwear like tennis shoes or rubber boots may be necessary depending on your duties. Avoid wearing shiny jewelry to prevent any potential accidents with the animals. It's also wise to carry bandages, peroxide, and disinfectant cream.
Be an advocate for your shelter. Combat the misconception that shelter animals are unwanted by spreading positive information about your shelter, especially to those unfamiliar with pet adoption. By altering public perception, you contribute to more animals finding their forever homes.
Contribute through donations. If your schedule doesn't allow for extensive volunteering, consider donating money or essential items for animal care. Shelters require various supplies like food, toys, bedding, and grooming items for the animals in their care. Many shelters accept used items as donations; inquire about their specific needs.
- Pet food, treats, and feeding accessories.
- Bedding materials such as blankets, towels, or padding.
- Cleaning supplies, grooming products, and newspaper.
- Enrichment items like toys, scratching posts, and balls.
Explore fostering opportunities. Fostering involves temporarily taking an animal into your home, providing care and rehabilitation until it's ready for adoption. Ensure you have the space and energy to commit to fostering, and inquire about your shelter's foster program if interested. While it's a significant responsibility, fostering can be incredibly fulfilling.
Valuable Advice
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Embrace fearlessly! Most animals are frightened and yearn for affection from someone. Extend your compassion to these neglected creatures, and they'll reciprocate it with warmth.
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Volunteers are highly valued! Expect your efforts and contributions around the shelter to be deeply appreciated. Despite the multitude of tasks, every little effort counts.
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Volunteering differs from employment at a shelter. When you volunteer, you offer your time willingly without financial compensation.
Precautions
- Volunteering entails more than glamorous moments and playing with adorable puppies. It often involves gritty tasks such as waste disposal and kennel cleaning.
- Not all shelter animals are sociable. Staff should provide training on handling unsocialized animals. Certain animals may be off-limits to volunteers.
- Prioritize your health before volunteering. Volunteering while ill risks transmitting illnesses between humans and animals.
- If you're under 16, many shelters may not permit volunteering. Some shelters offer programs for younger teens with associated fees.
