If spending time with animals brings a smile to your face, getting involved with the local animal shelter this summer is a smart idea. In addition to feeding your soul, you’ll get to actually help the animals. Remember that you can get involved in more than one way.
Volunteer at the Shelter
Animal shelters are often in need of volunteers. You might have the opportunity to play with the puppies or to take the older dogs for their walks. Volunteer positions could also involve cleaning out the cages, entertaining the kittens, or filing applications from potential adopters. When you sign up to volunteer, let the staff know what your time commitments are. In other words, be open about the fact that you’re looking for a summer position only.
Donate to the Shelter
Shelters are often in need of donations to keep the facility running and the animals well provided for. You might choose to donate money to the shelter, or you may purchase items that the staff members indicate the facility needs. For example, the shelter might need blankets, bowls, toys, food, or other such items. Another possible way to contribute is to host a dog benefit or an event that the shelter is hosting.
Adopt from the Shelter
After spending time volunteering at the shelter, you may decide that you’re ready to adopt a pet. It’s also possible that you’re already considering this possibility. Keep in mind that when you adopt a pet, you are committing for the lifetime of the animal. You should expect to go through an application process with possible background checks and reference checks.
Spread the Word
You may not have the ability to volunteer, donate or adopt, but you can spread the word about the shelter to the community. One option is to share posts on social media from the shelter about animals in need of homes. Further, if a relative or friend asks for a recommendation on where to adopt a pet, talk about the particular shelter. Even when you can’t allocate money or time to the shelter, you can still help out.
As you can see, helping out at the local shelter is a possibility for virtually anyone. You likely can contribute to the shelter in some fashion. The summer is a perfect time to do so, especially if you have fewer work responsibilities this season. You may even discover that you want to continue volunteering after the summer ends.
About the Author:
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
