Volunteer in an animal shelter or at the humane society

"We can't split them up -- they love each other," said the volunteer at the Thunder Bay Humane Society. I was hooked. I had come to the Humane Society in search of one cat and left with two old cats, Oliver and Tempest.

I had tacked a Humane Society Pets for Adoption ad up on my bulletin board at work to determine if I was really serious about adopting a cat. Finally, I called the Humane Society. "Are Oliver and Tempest (the cats whose picture had been up on my bulletin board for months) still available for adoption," I asked. "Oh yes," said the volunteer at the reception desk. "Why don't you come out and see them."

I drove. I saw. They conquered. Oliver and Tempest had a new home. I have an endless supply of crazy cat stories.

Many people want to volunteer in an animal shelter but feel that they can't go on a regular basis because they will get depressed. It is not necessarily so. Volunteering with animals in a Humane Society can be exhilarating and rewarding.

Caregirl, a website for young women, profiled Tenéa, a 13-year-old, who started her second year helping out at the local Humane Society animal shelter. She loved animals and was thinking seriously about pursuing a career as a doctor of veterinary medicine. Sarah, the Volunteer Coordinator at the Humane Society where Tenea volunteered, explained that the staff tried to give teen volunteers like Tenéa a broad exposure to all aspects of running an animal shelter -- not just cuddling cute puppies and kittens!

The role of the Humane Society was to not only help animals find homes but to make sure that they are GOOD homes so that the animals don't come back for another visit!

Tenéa stated in the article that other teens who love animals and want to learn more about how to care for them will enjoy volunteering at an animal shelter. Sarah notes that her program requires an adult chaperone with any new volunteer under 16 for safety reasons. Check with your local shelter for their specific volunteer guidelines.

The Humane Society also makes sure that their volunteers understand the responsibility of having a pet so that they can spread the word among friends and family. Tenéa says she is now definitely more aware of what it takes to have a pet and how many people, sadly, do not understand the commitment involved before they decide to get a pet.

If you want to help your local Humane Society, call them and see what kind of donations they require. Many will gladly accept clean blankets, towels, cat or dog food or kitty litter. If you want to volunteer at the Society, your volunteer job could be as a groomer, a dog walker, a foster family, a community educator or helping with the many fundraising activities that take place.

I am glad the Humane Society volunteers took good care of Oliver and Tempest while they were living there. I think I should drop in and find out how I can volunteer for the Humane Society. I think I'll do that now.