I volunteer at the animal shelter in Stamford, Ct. and I do so for a number of reasons, which I’d like to share with you. Perhaps I can motivate you to consider donating time at your local shelter. Because I am no longer in the workforce, I am able to donate four hours a week, but I know that most people don’t have that much time. So, hey, do what you can! I spend my time in our shelter’s cat room filled with animals who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. In some cases, an owner who is unable to care for their cat will surrender it.
This may sound like an exaggeration, but becoming an animal shelter volunteer changed my life. Engaging consistently with the cats, even applying my special educator skills to working with them, cleaning litter boxes, and becoming friends with the amazing shelter staff allows me to feel a part of something bigger than myself. So here are three reasons to become an animal shelter volunteer.
Volunteering at an Animal Shelter Is a Feel Good Thing
As an animal shelter volunteer, I am part of the solution. The problem? Thousands and thousands of animals, mostly cats and dogs, are homeless or live in environments that are harmful to them. So when I show up for those four hours, two on Wednesday, two on Friday, I know that I am needed. In fact, I am desperately needed.
And, in my own small way, I am making up for the rotten way many humans treat their animal companions. This gives me a feeling of pride and joy, tempered by humility. I am not passive in the face of animal neglect. I am active and it’s a feel good thing for sure.
Working as an animal shelter volunteer is good for my emotional, physical, and mental health. While it is scientifically proven that spending time with animals helps lower stress levels and blood pressure, it can also keep you active, especially if you prefer to walk dogs. What I love most is creating a unique bond with each kitty, which enhances my self-esteem, adds purpose and meaning to my life, and offers me a sense of satisfaction similar to what I felt as a special educator. (Don’t be shocked!)
I find that caring for these beautiful kittens and cats helps me cope with depression, anxiety, and stress. In fact, when I leave the shelter, I almost always feel calm and relaxed.
You Change the Life of a Non-Human Living Being
An animal shelter volunteer’s most important job is to help dogs and cats (primarily) become adoptable. Many that the Stamford shelter rescues are strays with little to no experience with human interaction, which radically reduces their chances of being adopted. Unless, of course, people can work with them on a regular basis, slowly, carefully, and patiently introducing them to human touch, the soothing sound of a human voice, and the idea that humans will keep them safe.
As I begin to work with a cat who may be feral or traumatized, I know that it will take time to establish a bond with the animal and even longer to see a change in their personality. But, almost invariably, letting a cat see and hear me, introducing play, and offering treats, I begin to see a change. Each cat has a hidden personality which eventually begins to appear and they start to shine. (One of the things I do with our shelter’s cats is sing to them. Anything from Broadway, a rock and roll classic, a kid song, even happy birthday.)
There is nothing better for a volunteer than knowing that an animal they’ve cared for has gone to a loving and forever home.
Animal Shelters Are Swamped!
Shelters nationwide are swamped with animals desperately in need of help. These shelters need volunteers to help raise money, walk dogs, socialize cats, change litter, serve food, and, perhaps, most cosmic, help rehabilitate and socialize animals so they won’t spend the rest of their lives in cages. In New York City, for example, the animal population needing shelter has exploded, with many animals waiting weeks or months – or more – to be adopted.
Because of overcrowding, dogs at one Manhattan shelter are kept in makeshift kennels in offices while stacks of cat cages line the halls. But overcrowding at shelters is not unique to New York. There are animal shelters filled to the gills all across the country.
The problem is partly due to a growing non-neutered cat population, a national veterinarian shortage, political indifference, and economic uncertainty. On top of this, people are abandoning or surrendering pets in large numbers with many former owners citing job uncertainty, the high cost of veterinary care, and moves to apartments that don’t allow pets.
In Conclusion…
We’re all busy, busy, busy. We have tons of stuff to do. We have to be here, there, everywhere. But if you are feeling down, maybe a little empty, why not become an animal shelter volunteer? Give just one hour of your time a week and rest assured, your spirits will lighten and a new way of being in our precious world will change your life.
With love to all from Fluffypuss and Peekaboo, my beautiful, extremely intelligent, accomplished, and highly well-educated kitties. Enjoy the next video and thanks for reading!
