If you love pets, you can become an animal shelter volunteer at your local SPCA. The experience has many advantages for your career as well as your overall well-being. Here are the top reasons to volunteer at an animal shelter.
Volunteering at your local SPCA is one way to give back to the community. Many animal shelters are looking for volunteers to help them with various aspects of raising pets.
Most animal shelters would struggle without volunteers. Abandoned and abused dogs need to interact with people to get used to human interaction. They also need to be fed and walked regularly.
Generally speaking, giving back to the community has positive emotional and psychological effects. Working with animals has additional benefits that can boost your overall health.
Petting and cuddling pets have been shown to reduce blood pressure and increase levels of serotonin and dopamine. Those hormones help you to relax and manage depression and stress. Studies show that people who frequently play with pets tend to have lower levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.
Another benefit of working with a local SPCA is that there are many activities. You can pick from an activity that you enjoy even as you help out at the animal hospital. For example, if you love photography, you can volunteer to take pictures of pups.
If you enjoy DIY and crafts, you can volunteer to make toys for your local vet clinic. You can work as an adoption counselor to match pets and their new owners. There are children’s programs and many other activities that may coincide with your skills and passion.
An animal shelter will need volunteers for:
Walking and taking care of the dog
Administrative and counseling duties
Making toys for cats and dogs
Cooking food and making treats for pets
Volunteering at a local SPCA is a great way to gain experience in taking care of dogs or cats. There are lots of things you can learn about taking care of pets. By the end of the program, you will have learned about animal psychology and physical health.
If you plan to adopt a pet in the future, working at an animal shelter will give you the experience you need. You can tap into the knowledge of other professionals at the local veterinarian. You will have the opportunity to ask questions from highly skilled staff.
Volunteer work has many long-term benefits and can open up new opportunities for you. You can use the experience on your resume. You may also use the experience to find a job or another volunteering opportunity.
The beauty of working for a local animal shelter is that you can choose from many activities and responsibilities. The work hours are flexible, allowing you to commit a few hours a week. Always choose something you enjoy so that you can make the most of the experience. At The Brandywine Valley SPCA, there is always a wide variety of volunteer opportunities at both our Delaware and Pennsylvania campuses. Feel free to call or visit to learn more.
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Join us April 27, 2024 at West Goshen Community Park | 10 am - 1 pm for a 5K color run, a 1K walk led by Fox29’s Sue Serio, and yoga with puppies, live music, vendors, food trucks, a pet costume contest, kid fun zone, a dog lure course, and so much more!
