Whether it's only once a month or a couple of times a week, there is an animal shelter near you that needs your help. Besides getting cuddles and kisses, there are many reasons why you should volunteer at your local animal shelter.
Meet good people, and make new friends.
If you're shy like me, you know how hard it is sometimes to put yourself out there, but at an animal shelter, everyone has something in common: they love animals! Whether you're a dog person or a cat person, your passion for the welfare of animals is a perfect conversation starter. You're bound to make lots of new friends—and not just the four-legged kind!
Feel better, and improve your mood.
It's no secret that spending quality time with a happy pup or playful kitten has numerous health benefits. Petting a cat lowers blood pressure and relieves stress, playing and walking with a dog reduces the risk of obesity, and sharing a bond with an animal curbs feelings of loneliness. Not only are you helping the shelter's staff by walking dogs or socializing cats, but seeing a toothy grin or a wagging tail will instantly boost your spirits.
Gain experience, and learn something new.
You'll discover a new set of skills, and you may be surprised at what you're capable of achieving. You'll know how to handle dogs and cats that are stray, lost, abandoned, or surrendered—how to gain the trust of animals who have had little to no human contact. You'll learn things that may lead you to the career—or career change—of your dreams.
Help keep the shelter up and running.
No-kill shelters save cats and dogs from being euthanized, but they receive little—if any—government funding to do so. As a result, they have to rely on volunteers to walk, feed, bathe, and socialize the animals and keep the facility clean. Volunteers provide experience-based advice and guidance to potential adopters on which animal would be a good fit.
Adopt a "furever" friend.
You'll never find a more grateful and accepting comrade than an animal you've comforted. Volunteering at an animal shelter grants you the opportunity to get to know different animals on many levels—how they play, their energy level, how they act with kids and other pets, and how much training they'll need — rather than adopting a pet based on its appearance. You'll be able to find the perfect companion!
Be a part of the solution, and make a difference.
You'll join a network of people who dedicate their lives to making the world safe and more humane for animals, and you'll spread the message of responsible pet ownership and animal protection.
