How to Volunteer At Your Local Animal Shelter

Volunteer! Lend a Hand for Animals

Volunteering your time is one of the best ways to help animals. Whether you walk dogs at your shelter, stuff envelopes for an educational mailing, or assist with a fund-raising event, you can make a difference in the lives of animals. When you give animals the gift of your time, you'll get back as much as you give—maybe even more!

Here are just a few of the benefits of volunteering for a local animal protection group:

• Be part of the solution. You'll join a network of hundreds of thousands of people working to make the world safe and more humane for all living creatures. You'll make the jobs of everyone working for animals a little easier by lending a hand and spreading the message of responsible pet ownership.
  
• Get warm fuzzies. You'll never find a more grateful and accepting comrade than an animal you have comforted. Who can't use another loyal support in life?
  
• Keep good company. You'll make lots of new friends—and not just the four-legged kind. Working side by side with people who share similar interests can forge lifelong friendships.
  
• Meet the new you. You'll discover skills you never knew you had, and you may be surprised at what you're capable of achieving. Be all that you never knew you could be.
  
• Gain a new career. You'll learn things that may lead you to the career—or career change—of your dreams. Employers and college admissions officers look favorably on time spent in volunteer serivce.
  Enjoy a wagging tail, a purr, and a smile. Didn't someone once say that the best things in life are free?

To learn about volunteer opportunities with animal protection organizations in your community, we suggest you check your Yellow Pages under the headings "animal shelter," "humane society," and "animal control," or call Information. You will need to contact each group directly to learn about volunteer needs and opportunities.