volunteer?

The shelters I have looked into volunteering at around here have an application you fill out and a day-long training. They ask you where you want to work, since many people are dog-people or cat-people and not both. From what I could tell at the places I looked, the dog caretakers outnumbered the cat caetakers by a healthy margin, so you should be able to work with the cats no problem. Plus, it's not like shelters are overflowing with volunteers. They'll be so happy to get a new one, they might boot someone out of the cat room just to accomodate you lol.

The shelter where volunteer has an application to fill out. I think anyone will be accepted, If they are old enough and are not on the adoption banned list. There is a general shelter orientation for both dogs and cats. You can work with either or both. This general orientation us about 2 hours, and held only once a month. You have to pay $25 for a teeshirt uniform and you get a handbook of policies.

Before you can do it, you have to arrange to meet with a "mentor " for either dogs or cats to do hands on and specific training (about 1 hour).

There are many opportunities to do many things to help the shelter as a volunteer such as: build or be on a float for a parade, work at outside adoption events, help in the shelter clinic, put up posters at vet offices and other places, go pick up a dog out of state that has to be returned to the shelter, and much more. Those who walk dogs and have been a volunteer for some time can take a dog off in their car to go to a dog park or on a hike in the woods. Volunteers get a good discount on adoptions and there are a couple social events with staff and the Board. One, in December, is an awards dinner held at a very fancy country club - all paid for by a Board member.

Last week the Executive Director asked me If I'd be interested in conducting a sort of cat handling class for new volunteers to give them more training, make them feel more comfortable, and maybe keep them longer. I'm seriously considering it. Anything for the cats. More and more I am slowly getting involved in improving things for the cats there by working on changing how some things are there.

One thing this shelter does is allow volunteers to come whenever they want, whenever staff is there, with no set schedule - unless you agreed to do some specific job at a specific time. All they ask is that you work at least 4 hours a month. You log your hours in a computer.

Robin

I forgot to say that I get a very great deal of satisfaction out of improving the lives of these shelter cats and helping them get adopted.

Right now I am writing this from one of the adoption rooms, where people visit in private with animals they are interested in. I have 2 brothers with me, DSH, black. They are about 8 months old and have been together in a cage here for about 5 months. They don't get out much. They are having a good time.

It's been half an hour, so soon I'll take them back. There are cages and cages of the little dears who need out.

Robin

How wonderful of you to want to help homeless cats! There is such a need for volunteers everywhere. And it is very rewarding to know you are making these homeless cats feel loved. I have quite a few cats that are quite attached to me and I to them where I volunteer. You will just have to fill out an application and have a short orientation/training. Every shelter is different on how they run their volunteer programs. Where I volunteer, you can come anytime as they need help around the clock. This week I have been working in the quarantine room, syringe feeding very sick/dehydrated eight week old kittens and learning how to administer sub-cu fluids. It is very hard when you first start because you do see some suffering. When you see these cats turn a corner, well, it is the best feeling in the world, you believe in hope. Bless you for wanting to help. You will be glad you did and so will the cats.

Also look into non-profit cat rescue homes and groups. I live near Annapolis, Maryland, and there is a great non-profit cattery called Rude Ranch. Their entire house is a cattery, with lots of cat trees, vertical and horizontal climbing planks and trees, a huge Aquarium. I would imagine the lesser known 'shelters' need volunteers the most.

Volunteering at a shelter is one of the most satisfying things you can do. As well as working at the shelter most rescues also need people to foster cats and kittens at home, and our volunteers are allowed to do this after they have been on the roster for three months and are deemed OK. SO think about that too.