5 Ideas for Volunteering with Animals
They’re cute and cuddly, and while most of them have paws, they all could use a helping hand. Here are a few ideas to help Create the Good by reaching out to local animals in need.
Find a forever friend.
You could go to a breeder to pick out a new pet, but there are millions of animals in shelters across the country desperately seeking forever homes. Find your local shelter to learn about adopting one of these potential pets and discover just what type of animal makes the most sense for your situation. For a modest fee, cats, dogs and other pets can be adopted having already received a full medical checkup, spay or neuter procedure, and all necessary shots.
Volunteer at a shelter.
You don’t have to bring a pet home to make a difference in its life. Many local animal shelters have volunteer opportunities where you can learn about the animals and help facilitate their care. For a whole host of opportunities, head to Paws.org and help with everything from dog walking, to community outreach, to working with wildlife experts in a sanctuary.
Help rehabilitate animals here.
Up until the 1980s, nearly 17 million “unadoptable” pets perished every year. With the goal of “Saving them All,” Best Friends was founded. You can volunteer at their sanctuary or through many of the partnerships they’ve created with animal welfare organizations around the country. They also offer an internship program for students interested in pursuing veterinary careers.
Lend a hand abroad.
Interested in seeing the world while making a difference in the lives of animals? You can sort by your area of interest and arrange to be a part of a guided volunteer trip with goeco.org. The ecotourism organization offers integrated language programs and trips designed for people of all ages. It’s also helped thousands of volunteers make a difference since 2006.
Connect them with heroes.
You can help facilitate the adoption of companion pets for U.S. vets through the Pets for Patriots program. While the small program focuses on donations, which you could facilitate through a local fundraising initiative, they also connect directly with veterans interested in adopting. So, if you have a hero in your family or neighborhood, you can make a difference simply by showing them that this organization exists.
For more ideas and inspiration, try this simple search and use keyword “animals.”
