Volunteering for the cat and dog shelter

January20

I'm thinking about volunteering for the cat and dog shelter as a dog walker - I like dogs but don't feel my life is suitable to own one - and/ or (depending on their needs) as a cat socialiser as I have a lot of experience with cats.

Has anybody had any experience of doing this kind of volunteering work? Would you share your experience?

Thanks

Tulip

:hello: January20,


I volunteer at my local Anmals in Distress charity and I love going to see their dogs and taking them for a walk,I started in March 2010 and I have seen some beautiful dogs who love a fuss and a stroke
All the Kennel people know me and I know the reception people as well as when I get there I go to reception and get a yellow card with a number on it and I sign the book as well with my signature.I had to give them a photo of myself.The Kennel ladies tell me about the dogs history wheather they like cats or if they dont.

I always take the dogs i walk back in once I have given them exercise.I meet many dog walkers and it is really fun I so enjoy it and it means I have a companion for the afternoon too

I am going up on Friday to see them so that will be nice


Hope my experience has helped you and I hope when you become a dog walker you enjoy yourself

Good Luck!

Katie

paulwf

I spend a couple of hours with my OH every fortnight at a cat sanctuary helping to socialise the cats. I think they like me visiting as all the staff are female so the cats don't get many men visiting them.

We got into it because we visited a few times in the past as we have adopted 2 of their cats so they know us from that. Wear old clothes as sanctuary cats aren't groomed as often as is ideal so you will get absolutely covered in fur. Even in the summer wearing long trousers and proper shoes is best until you get to know the cats as they will try and climb up you, especially the kittens.

It goes without saying that you'll get cats trying to bite, scratch and hiss at you so you need to be fairly laid back around cats. The sanctuary should be able to warn you about which cats are best left alone on your first couple of visits.

I find it so relaxing when I visit, with some of the cats I can now just sit on the floor and they will come over for a fuss and sit on my lap. The difficult thing is leaving them behind, one of them is just like my old cat and I would love to take him home but we're out of space.

EmptyPockets

I have never done this before, but it is something I would love to do. My husband and I regularly visit one shelter in particular, and I have only ever found it to be a positive experience when we go there. The staff are friendly and helpful and seem to find great enjoyment in what they do.

At the end of the day, there are so many animals in need of help, the more people who can offer their time, the better. I say go for it, I hope you really enjoy it and you'll only have to look into the eyes of the animals you help to see how much they need you :T

January20

Thank you so much for your posts. It's very helpful. It's made me more determined to apply

elsien

The other option you could think about is volunteering for the cinammon trust.
http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/home.html
You can offer as little or as much as you have time for, from dog walking, to short term fostering, to helping people get to and from the vets.
I did this after my last dog died, walking a dog once a week for an elderly lady who was housebound. I know other volunteers who go in every day, it really is down to you and what you want to do. Plus the people you are helping are extremely appreciative as you are helping them to keep much loved pets.

January20

elsien wrote: »

The other option you could think about is volunteering for the cinammon trust.
http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/home.html
You can offer as little or as much as you have time for, from dog walking, to short term fostering, to helping people get to and from the vets.
I did this after my last dog died, walking a dog once a week for an elderly lady who was housebound. I know other volunteers who go in every day, it really is down to you and what you want to do. Plus the people you are helping are extremely appreciative as you are helping them to keep much loved pets.

elsien, thank you so much for this idea! it's brilliant.

Bubby

Its very very rewarding but very hard work. I used to give up an awful lot of my free time and whilst I loved it I personally found it very hard to switch off from their stories and not want to home them all. I found it easier to start with cats but it is all down to personal preference. Good luck if you don't have a pet yourslef you may find yourself coming home with 1 or 2;)

liz545

I volunteer at a dog shelter, and I love it to bits. However, depending on where you're working, it can be a big commitment - it's not just a matter of turning up and taking a dog for a walk, you'll be helping to train the dogs and work on their behaviour, and work with the kennel staff and rehomers to make sure the dogs are being treated consistently. Being in kennels can be very stressful for some dogs, and this can make some of them quite demanding or challenging, but it can also be really rewarding when you see a dog successfully homed. Volunteers contribute an enormous amount and if you can spare some time on a regular basis, they'll be lucky to have you!

birduk

elsien wrote: »

The other option you could think about is volunteering for the cinammon trust.
http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/home.html
You can offer as little or as much as you have time for, from dog walking, to short term fostering, to helping people get to and from the vets.
I did this after my last dog died, walking a dog once a week for an elderly lady who was housebound. I know other volunteers who go in every day, it really is down to you and what you want to do. Plus the people you are helping are extremely appreciative as you are helping them to keep much loved pets.

Just sat at work reading the stories on there and have welled up. So lovely!

I used to walk dogs and socialise cats for the RSPCA and loved it. You can just go and play! Mostly because I love animals and they just aren't allowed most of the places I have lived. It's such a shame I don't have time any more.

Mutter_2

Are you self-employed?