Volunteering at an animal shelter is hard work. But you get payed in satifaction and an abundance of love.
Would you like to help out at an animal shelter? Read the following tips to get yourself prepared.
Sturdy Clothes and Shoes
In the shelter, you will be walking around most of the day. So good shoes are important. Sturdy walking shoes are ideal. They are reasonably waterproof and you can move around in them. Also make sure you wear long pants. If possible, also in the summer. Nails of jumping dogs can be sharp. Also, it’s an extra layer if you do get bitten by a dog.
Use your strengths
Think about what you are good at and what tasks you could and would like to do. Are you handy with tools? Try to pick up chores like repairing fences and gates. Maybe there is a project that has been stalled for some time like putting new roofing on an enclosure.
Are you a calm person and can you make dogs feel at ease? Visit the different animals and give them extra attention. Cuddle with them, give them a thorough brushing or spend time with an anxious dog.
If you’re a sporty type of person you can help with walking the dogs. Especially large dogs need strong people to walk with. You can also help practice running alongside a bike. Some dogs love to play with the ball. Play fetch until the dog is tapped out.
Show initiative
In a shelter there is often a shortage of time and hands. It is greatly appreciated if you, as a new volunteer, show initiative. There is no time to constantly have to direct someone. Time would be rather spent on taking care of the animals.
Look around you. Where can your help be used. Do you see a lot of bags of dog food piled up next to a door? Ask where you can carry it to. If you see a volunteer struggeling with trimming nails, offer to hold the dog.
Pay close attention when someones explains something. Be sure you only need to be told once where the bags of feed should go, or where the clean blankets are. That way you don’t have to keep asking and can act immediately when you need something. When you have a question, know exactly what you need so you can ask a clear short question. If you have a problem that requires more time, first ask a volunteer if they have a moment for you. Often the volunteers or workers are in a process that requires them to be focused. If you ask your question, they get distracted which can have drastic consequences.
Last words
It’s really fulfilling to help out at an animal shelter. Especially if you love animals. Sometimes it is difficult, occasionally animals come in in bad shape, or there is a very fearful dog. You start to wonder what happened to such an animal. It is not embarrasing to be upset yourself for a moment. I know I was. All volunteers have experienced this moment before and they are there for you when you need emotional support.
Fortunately, there are more heartwarming moments. Waving goodbye to a dog when it goes to its new family. Or when there is finally a moment of trust between a volunteer and a frightened dog after days of practice and patience. There are moments you may also let your tears of happiness flow. All the volunteers have gone through a moment like that too and also understand your happiness.
