August is a great time for volunteers to help man’s best friend, as hundreds of shelters and service organizations plan annual discounted adoption events and begin preparations for September’s National Service Dog Month. Here are a few of our favorite volunteer opportunities for helping canines in need.
Be a Best Friend
As a volunteer with Best Friends Animal Society, you can contribute your talents to their Strut Your Mutt annual dog walk and festival. Volunteers are needed at several regional locations for this national event, and can assist with route planning and setup, booth operations and attractions, cleanup, and more. The organization has year-round opportunities for volunteers in the Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, New York City, Atlanta or Houston regions as well.
Make National Service Dog Month better than ever
Service dogs provide companionship and enhance mobility for people in need, and as a volunteer you can help provide critical resources to ensure these animals get proper training and support. As a volunteer with Canine Companions for Independence or Guide Dogs for America you can support their efforts to provide assistance dogs, free of charge, to program recipients. And raising service pups is just one of the many opportunities.
Help amplify the bark
Dogs need people on their side, and advocacy is a great way for volunteers to help. With the ASPCA, you can make a difference in your community and across the country, speaking up and taking action to bring animal welfare issues to the forefront. From working to ensure legal protections for animals and understanding how and when to report animal cruelty, to volunteering directly with the ASPCA, you can find something that fits your schedule, and your interests.
Make your home a forever home
If you’ve ever thought about adding a foster pup to the family, now may be the perfect time. Thousands of canines are abandoned or neglected every year and the shelters that take them in are desperate to find them permanent homes. Learn the top reasons to adopt a pet, and check with your local shelter for upcoming adoptions events, or visit Rescueme.org, who’s helped over 860,000 animals find their forever home.
Volunteer at a shelter
Volunteer opportunities at pet shelters are not only personally rewarding, they also can help you build life and business skills. The ASPCA can help you find a shelter in your area. Then, simply reach out to one near you and ask how you can help. Looking for a long-term volunteer opportunity? Volunteer with the Animal Humane Society. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and willing to commit to a full year.
Let Create The Good help you find even more ways to volunteer with animals using this simple search.
