VOLUNTEERS Appreciated! VOLUNTEERS Needed! National Volunteer Week - April 16-22, 2023

A week to celebrate service; it is the perfect time to say Thank you to volunteers and the perfect time to encourage people to volunteer.

As a volunteer you a VIP, a very important person. You’re part of the vast numbers of people who truly make a difference especially in our local pet community. Local animal welfare groups, organizations, and animal shelters/rescues need a core group of dedicated volunteers to accomplish their mission and goals.

Currently it is estimated that approximately 77 million Americans engage in volunteer activities annually; they spend about 7 billion hours helping others in a variety of endeavors. Volunteerism is part of our country’s history; the early settlers survived by helping each other. They banded together to plant crops, build houses, and fight disease. Many volunteer organizations that exist today were formed in the 1800’s and 1900’s such as the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and the American Humane were founded in the mid 1800’s.

The most important reason to volunteer, of course, is to give back to the community and to help others. Yet there are numerous benefits for volunteering. It helps reduce stress, anxiety and depression; volunteering can provide a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Socially, it helps create meaningful connections with other people.

Ask yourself the following questions: How much time do I realistic have to offer an organization? What are my skills, interests, and goals? What do I enjoy doing?

TRANSPORTATION NEEDS – If you have a car or van and love driving this might be for you. It is often overlooked. Shelters need drivers to transport animals to vet appointments and pet adoption events to list a few.

PET CARE – Are you a hands-on person? Consider taking shelter dogs for walks. You can offer to do other activities that help stimulate and socialize pets. Hanging out, socializing, petting and playing with shelter pets helps prepare them for their new homes.

PUBLIC RELATIONS – Do you love publicity and social media. You can contact pet stores, veterinarian offices, and other places to hang up fliers to promote pet adoption events. Sharing adoption profiles on your personal social media sites really helps. Consider offering your social media skills to help a local rescue develop or manage their social media plans.

TECHNOLOGY – Are you a techie? Rapid changes make it almost impossible for smaller nonprofits to keep up with technology. Website design is another area where volunteers are often utilized. Websites need to be constantly updated – pet events and pets available for adoption are always changing.

WRITING –Is writing your passion? Pets need great adoption profiles to let people know how loveable they are. There are newsletters, ad copy, fundraising letters, grant applications. Your skills as a writer will be greatly appreciated.

PHOTOGRAPHY – Love taking pictures? Do you know how to bring out the best in your subject? Do your photos capture your subject’s personality? Good pet photos on websites and social media sites make an enormous difference in finding forever homes for them. You can make this difference!

Check out local shelters or rescues; review the volunteer sections of their websites or social media sites to see their needs. Attending pet adoption events or other pet events are great opportunities to meet staff or other volunteers to get acquainted on a more personal level.