Guest Blog By: Kathryn Goodwin
People and organizations are always looking for ways to volunteer. Whether it be to fulfill graduation requirements, boost resumes, or simply give back to the community, many functions are carried out through the efforts of millions of volunteer hours each year.
While there are countless noble causes to which to give your time and energy, volunteering with animals is one that should be given top consideration in 2024. Keep reading to see all of the diverse benefits and ways to get involved with helping our 4-legged friends!
Benefits of Volunteering With Animals
Many people may think that volunteering with animals is all about helping animals in need. While the benefits of providing tender loving care to animals go without saying, there are numerous benefits for the volunteers themselves. Some of these include:
Volunteering is a feel-good activity. By giving your time and energy to a noble cause, you are in a better position to combat feelings of stress, anger, and anxiety.
It keeps you moving. Mingling with animals all day will keep you on your feet, providing much of the daily activity necessary for a healthy lifestyle.
It can open the door to career opportunities. Whether you are interested in veterinary medicine, grooming, or even opening your own animal boarding business, the volunteer experience you receive will help direct your passion and boost your resume.
Volunteering helps other humans. Many animal shelters are very understaffed, so your volunteer hours will provide invaluable relief to overworked professionals.
Another benefit of volunteering with animals is that it allows highly skilled animal professionals to focus on their core competencies. Animals need to be fed, kennels need to be cleaned, and puppies need to be cuddled. Without sufficient volunteer help, vets and nurses have to perform these tasks, drawing their energy and attention away from the more technical tasks they are qualified to perform.
How to Volunteer With Animals
Now that you know about the various benefits to both animals and humans that come with volunteering, let’s take some time to explore the various ways to get involved.
Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
One of the most direct and impactful ways to help animals is by volunteering at an animal shelter.
"Volunteering at an animal shelter is not just about giving your time and energy, it's about giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.” - Kathryn Goodwin
The need for volunteers at animal shelters is particularly acute at the moment.
Adoptions peaked at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. However, with crippling inflation handcuffing most household budgets over the past few years, many animal owners can no longer afford to pay for food and care. As such, pet owners are surrendering their pets in droves, putting unprecedented stress on understaffed animal shelters.
Your presence matters, and animal shelters need the support of the community to save more lives. Apply to volunteer at HSNT today by visiting www.hsnt.org/volunteer
Foster a Pet
With overcrowded shelters, fostering a pet is another extremely impactful way to help with animals.
By bringing a pet into your home and giving them the love, nutrition, and exercise that they have likely lacked, you improve that pet’s quality of life and those of the animals that remain at the shelter, as the staff will have fewer paws on which to divide their attention.
And chances are that you will fall in love and never want to return your foster at all.
Learn more about fostering at HSNT by visiting www.hsnt.org/become-a-foster-hero
Volunteer With Animals and Make a Difference Today
Volunteering with animals not only changes the lives of pets in need, but it can do wonders for your mental health and that of overworked animal professionals. If you are looking for ways to give back your time to animals, contact the The Humane Society of North Texas today and start changing lives!
HSNT - Pets and People, Saving Each Other®
HSNT’s mission is to act as an advocate on behalf of all animals and to ensure their legal, moral and ethical consideration and protection; to provide for the well-being of animals who are abandoned, injured, neglected, mistreated or otherwise in need; to promote an appreciation of animals; and to instill respect for all living things.