They won't let me volunteer at the humane society until I'm 18.

I know it's about liability issues, but if they're so hard pressed for volunteers, couldn't I just sign a waiver? I'm 16, and I don't mean to sound bigheaded, but I think I'm mature enough to pet kitties and clean out cages and litter boxes. It just bugs me that they complain that they have no volunteers and then don't take people that want to help.

Okay, I'll stop complaining now, lol!
~Jenn

It depends on the shelter. Some of them ask that your parents sign a waiver and allow you to handle the sturdier pups and cats. But the age limit is for your protection as well as the younger animals

Originally posted by hissy
It depends on the shelter. Some of them ask that your parents sign a waiver and allow you to handle the sturdier pups and cats. But the age limit is for your protection as well as the younger animals

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Yep, I know. But none of the shelters near me will let me... oh well.
btw, I've been meaning to tell you, I really like the quote in your signature.

It seems wierd to me that you're old enough to have a job, but not old enough to volunteer. Have you tried the city pound/shelter? That must be so frustrating for you!

Yes, it is kind of frustrating. I guess I'll just have to deal with it though, I don't think they'll back down. There aren't any local shelters around, I live in the country, the closest city is 1/2 away and I don't have my own car. I'll just have to wait til I'm 18. By then, I'll hopefully be going to college in Toronto and I'll hopefully have the odd free weekend that I can use to volunteer. It's just something I've always wanted to do, because my parents won't foster any animals.


~Jenn

I volunteered at our county animal shelter the summer before my freshman year. I need to go back, it's just so hard to find time! I loved it, and can't wait till I've got the extra 8th day in the week...good luck finding a shelter who will let you donate your time!

Yeah not all shelters are this way.

Why don't you look up some rescue groups in your area and help out with them! I know some shelters will also only let minors volunteer if their parents are there with them everytime!

It is a shame, but I used to work at one shelter and I always felt worried for the animals, and for the kids, kids just don't pay enough attention (no not all kids).

One of the rescue groups I work with has a lot of young volunteers that come in to clean cages etc.
Now I GUESS that I need a bigger sign or something, but they were cleaning my former fosters cage (zene) and some approx 12 year old girl was holding her, (even though the sign says she does NOT like to be held). So, I'm like "uhg, she's gonna jump and get loose, or the girl is gonna get sratched." no more than a second later Zene makes her move, the kid almost looses her but luckey is standing close enough to her cage that she can turn and just have her jump in there.
So I had a nice little talk with that (child).