My mom doesn't want me to volunteer at a dog or cat shelter because she's afraid that I'll bring fleas home to our cats and dogs. I asked about a horse shelter, but she's not sure about that because she thinks the horses there are abused and might be mean. I really want to volunteer to help animals, but I'm not sure what I can do! Any advice?
2007-03-25 09:16:57 · 9 answers · asked by kristin 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Your volunteer center can help you find specific community projects and non-profit agencies in your local area to help you make an impact in your community. My volunteer center works directly with the local cat shelter, and with the local equestrian society as well to provide several different projects. Volunteer centers specialize in helping to connect you with these agencies and find projects that will work best for you.
Here are some links to help you get started:
http://www.handsonnetwork.org/our-network/
http://www.pointsoflight.org/centers/find_center.cfm
http://national.unitedway.org
I've worked the projects at my local cat shelter, and I've helped out in other interesting ways. Give your volunteer center a call. They might be able to find some pre-screened opportunity that works for you and your mom.
Good luck!
2007-03-25 17:42:29 · answer #1 · answered by Brent 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are so many things you can do to help out. You could help a veterinarian- not necessarily by handling the animals, but by assisting the veterinarian with simple jobs like holding tools, organizing flies.etc. You could also ask your neighbors of close friends who have pets if you could watch their pets when they're gone or on vacation. Or, you could walk dogs. Also, you could still work at animal shelters without bringing home fleas. As mentioned above, you could just do simple things like organizing animal records, operating computers, answering distress calls etc. You could maybe even volunteer or apply for a job at a pet store. If you really wanter to help animals, in terms of their rights, you could help animal protection organizations, by helping out, or donating some money. You could even write a report about animal protection for a class assignment. Don't forget that you could simple make a donation to your local animal shelter, and maybe even sign up to donate monthly. Be creative- there are so many things you can do. Thanks for having such a great love for animals!
2007-03-25 09:46:35 · answer #2 · answered by Andre R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out these websites. They will give you a list of opportunities in your area that will work for you. Every organization needs someone to help with stuffing envelopes, getting donations, working special events, etc. Most of these will allow you to search by area and interest, ie animals. Good luck and enjoy the time volunteering.
www.NetworkforGood.org
www.DoSomething.org
www.BetheCause.org
www.VolunteerMatch.org
www.VolunteerSolutions.org
www.Volunteer.gov
www.TheVolunteerFamily.org (This one specializes in working with families, so maybe your mom could go along and help to see what the organization is all about)
There are so many places that need people, even if it is only 1 afternoon a week!
2007-03-28 11:06:18 · answer #3 · answered by eziegelbein 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I volunteer at the SPCA and have never brought home fleas to my pets. The animals at the shelter are all on flea and heartworm preventative. The chances of you doing that are almost 0%.
2007-03-25 09:23:54 · answer #4 · answered by anothermauri 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the local vet and see if they need volunteers to help. OR You could find some older neighbors that can't walk their dog and walk it for them and maybe clean up their yard(doggie messes). Volunteering can be achieved in many ways. How about finding out if there is someone who just needs you to help with their pets for the summer while they are at work. Use your imagination!
2007-03-25 09:23:41 · answer #5 · answered by upallniteowl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the posters that say call you vet and see if they need any help in the back area with bathing/kennel cleaning.
You could also volunteer to help in a stable. That way, you would be gaining experience with horses. Might make your mom feel better if you want to help with a large animal rescue organization.
2007-03-25 09:51:22 · answer #6 · answered by Jupiter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe, if you are old enough that is, get a job at a animal hospital working in the back in the kennels. It is an important job.
2007-03-25 09:23:33 · answer #7 · answered by moo shell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your mom you will take a shower and change as soon as you get home from volunteering. That should alleviate her fears.
2007-03-25 09:22:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try this website....
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
2007-03-25 09:26:21 · answer #9 · answered by calired67 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋