Began Volunteering for an Animal Shelter

**acox68** · 07-05-2008, 06:11 PM

Today I went to the orientation session of a local animal shelter so I can begin volunteering with the animals. I will be helping out with fund-raising events, be a cat cuddler and a dog walker. I also want to help out with their newsletter and photography events. Lately (since school is out) I just wanted to do something to give back to the community and find a place where I can meet people with a common goal. I believe I have found a good fit, and for that I am extremely happy!!!

Thanks for reading!

Andrea

**AmyBoz** · 07-05-2008, 06:12 PM

Andrea, What a wonderful place to volunteer! I had toyed with the idea in high school, but my allergies were an obstacle. Also, I think I'd want to take all of the animals home!

However, the animals need people like you who are willing and able to give of their time to look out for their needs since they can't look out for their own.

Good for you!

**acox68** · 07-05-2008, 06:31 PM

I thought I would feel that way too about wanting to take all of the animals home. Maybe one day when the timing is right, but right now my elderly dog and cat would not appreciate it! LOL The lady who did the orientation said that a lot of the volunteers end up taking one or two home....I can see that happening. Most of the animals just want to be petted and loved.

Andrea

**FrugalMomof3** · 07-05-2008, 06:52 PM

That's such a great place to volunteer at too, I am sure you are going to fall in love with all the wonderful animals there and they are going to love you too!

**cutetexancowgirl2002** · 07-11-2008, 11:51 AM

I've also been thinking about doing this as well; I know I would want to rescue every pet though. I hope you enjoy your time there and get to meet a lot of great people!

**Clutterbug Jen** · 07-12-2008, 06:35 AM

You're an angel.

I've done this before but it broke my heart to see them in cages and that I had to leave them there.

Love,

Jen

**iida** · 07-12-2008, 10:43 AM

I have been thinking about doing this also. Thank you for bringing this up. I might just stop thinking and start doing.

**acox68** · 07-13-2008, 11:05 AM

iida, I had been thinking of doing this for YEARS myself before I actually started. One day, I just put the appt. on my calendar and went. It was as simple as that! My biggest fear all these years was that I would go there and start crying because I am a very soft-hearted person. It was a wonderful experience though and I didn't even have the urge to cry....all I wanted to do was to cuddle the animals and help them feel better. I know as I work more with them I will probably get attached to one or two and will feel sad if they don't get adopted right away or if they get put down. It was a good experience though and I am looking forward to going back...

Andrea

**champagnium** · 07-16-2008, 01:40 PM

I'm glad to see it!!
I used to work in the city pound, and I LOVED the animals. I spent 6 days a week taking care of them, but unfortunatly, the continuous euthanizations and my inability to save them got to me in the end and I had to leave

Now I'm concentrating on 2 little abused mini ponies, and I hope you have a WONDERFUL time giving lots of love to all the furries <3

**frugalandsimple** · 07-16-2008, 03:53 PM

Enjoy your time volunteering at the animal shelter. I'm an animal lover too.

**DonnainME** · 07-17-2008, 08:30 PM

I wish I had time to volunteer more.

**LuvMyHubby** · 07-21-2008, 05:52 PM

What a great thing to do.

**acox68** · 07-28-2008, 09:03 PM

Well, I got my tetnus shot this weekend and officially started working with and getting to know the animals at the shelter. There were some pretty sad cases there, but I knew I had to be strong for them.

One cat in partciular stole my heart (who only had a nub for a tail). He shied away when I reached in his cage to pet him....in fact, he hid his whole face by turning it away from me. I took my hand out and waited until a little bit later to work with him again. Later on I found him curled up in the back of his cage, so I gently opened the door and started petting him on his side, avoiding his face. He seemed to like this and eventually started to purr.

It seemed as though this cat had been abused in his past so my job was to make him a little more sociable and adoptable for the people coming in to look at pets. If his temperment changes to "depressed" and then to "aggressive" he won't stand a chance of finding his forever home.

Since this is not a "no-kill" shelter, I pray for the best for this little guy. I would take him home myself but it is suggested he be the only animal in the home for various reasons. I already have 1 dog and 1 cat, so this would not work well for us.

Working at the shelter was physically hard work, but very rewarding....this shelter in particular really works with the animals to make them more adoptable and the animals are temperment tested regularly. Many of the shelters in the area just throw the animals in a cage and then kill the ones who aren't adopted within a few days. This shelter only puts them down if there is no chance of them being adopted because of their temperment. If they become aggressive and so forth (or are too sick), then they really don't have a choice.

Sorry, didn't mean to get so long-winded with this, just wanted to give an update on how things were going....I am planning to go back this weekend....

Andrea

**madhen** · 08-19-2008, 04:25 PM

I have the distinction of being the only foster my county has used who has NOT adopted any of her charges! I think it is because I have fostered animals pretty much all of my adult life, and I have learned to keep a part of my heart removed from the animals I foster. I love each one, and I remember them all, but I know that if I adopted every single one that tugged at my heartstrings, then I wouldn't be able to foster any more, and a lot of animals who might have a chance if they could have a temporary home such as mine until their forever home came along would never get out of the pound. I have my two dogs, both pound puppies, and when they go, I'll go in search of a new companion, but until then, I admire and support anyone who is willing to give a little of themselves to the animals. Every person who steps up and volunteers touches the lives of mulitiple animals and people, and if I had any say in the matter, you'd have mega-Karma points from me. :-)

**GiddyMoon** · 08-31-2008, 04:00 PM

I wish more people could find the time to do this..animals need our help too..and always due to people neglect that they can't control.

I used to do what you are doing, together with Girl Scouts we used to hold a lot of fund raisers and donation runs for the animal shelters here.

To give anyone interested an idea to the massive problem, in our county from March to May of this year, over 7000 kittens came into the 3 area shelters and over 70% had to be put down due to lack of homes. SPAY AND NEUTER PEOPLE!

For those that cannot donate time or money, towels, pet supplies, homemade nap sacks, toys, etc are always welcome.

We have 6 cats and 3 foster kittens right now...love um.

congrats on your new fun!