Can I volunteer at an Animal Shelter?

Question

I'm 13. Can I volunteer at a shelter? If I can, what shelter near the Chicago area?

Answer 1

I think this is a great idea so I did some research for you:

I found one that works with young volunteers:
http://www.treehouseanimals.org/Tree%20House%20Site-V-Y.htm

Here are more but most require adult supervision or lets you help without having contact with animals:
Here is a center in the SouthSide, it talks about volunteer opportunities for youth, it allows you to help animals but not necessarily work with them:
http://www.pawschicago.org/Volunteer/youthvolunteer.htm
Here is a website, American Humane Society for Kids:
http://www.americanhumane.org/kids/
Here is another Animal Shelter in Chicago, you can volunteer but only with an adult with you:
http://www.pacthumanesociety.org/volunteer.htm
This is the website for another Animal Shelter in Chicago, it only has a phone number to call if you are interested in volunteering:
http://www.pacthumanesociety.org/volunteer.htm
Here is a website of animal shelters in your area, i couldn't look into them all:
http://www.pacthumanesociety.org/shelters.htm (there are several with phone numbers or email addresses of people you can contact if you are interested in volunteering, because they don't list age restrictions on their website you might have a chance with them)
This shelter has an opportunity for youth but once again must be accompanied by an adult:
http://www.hhforcats.org/volunteer.html

Answer 2

You know what... I'm sure you could do that if you wanted. Call and ask if they have a program that you could help out. When I was 15, I volunteered at my local humane society. I walked around and made sure all the animals were okay (once in a while, a cat will knock over it's water bowl and the whole cage will be wet) and I actually had an incident that I think I saved a dog's life. I walked by and noticed some blood on the floor in the stall. The dog had been chewing at it's tail and it was laying there bleeding everywhere. I ran out and told the lady at the front desk, and they wrapped it's tail up! I really felt good that I helped. Also, I got to give the animals treats every day. So go ahead and find out if your local shelter will allow you to help!

I found a site with all the Chicago animal shelters. I'm pretty sure at least one of them will want your assistance.

http://www.care-evanston.org/shelterlist.htm

Answer 3

I am not poitive if they might have an age restriction or not but if your parents don't mind then I say go for it!! But they may want you to sign a paper that states that they are not responsible in case of an accident (bites/scratches etc...) Which is smart of them that way they can't be sued if by some small chance you do happen to get hurt! If it turns out you can't actually work w/ the animals maybe you could donate supplies such as old towels, bowls or dishes for the animals food, newspapers for cages etc... I think it's fantastic you want to volunteer to do this at your age- so many kids this age don't think about how to help anyone BUT themselves anymore- your an inspiration for all the others your age! Keep it up!!

Answer 4

If you love animals and want to make a difference, absolutely!

Look in your Yellow Pages for an animal shelter near you, or contact City Hall or the Park District, preferably a no-kill shelter.

There is one in the suburbs called the Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin, and is always looking for volunteers in the no-kill atomosphere, and provides loving homes for animals.

Good luck, and may God Bless you!

Answer 5

I am sure most animal shelters do need help. Just call them. Also, they always are needing blankets, towel, and pet food.

Answer 6

Yes, you can. You can do anything you want. You can fly, you can touch the sky...

: )