I'm sure this is a common problem: I've got friends who say they'd like to join me in volunteering at our local animal shelter, but say they "just think it would be too hard." I've asked them to ask themselves: if the people who care about animals won't volunteer at shelters, then who will? I've explained that yes, there are difficult days, when sick or aggressive animals get euthanized, or there's just no more space in the shelter, and yes, sometimes volunteers are crying when they leave. But there are very rewarding days, when your favorite dog finally learns to stop jumping and lies down on command, making her more adoptable... and the incredibly wonderful days when animals you never thought would get adopted finally DO get to go to a loving home. Our shelter, like many, is always short of volunteers. Does anyone have any ideas about how to help people decide it's a great thing to do?

Hi there,
Maybe just ask them to come in and try it out for a few hours one day. You know the old saying, "You never know if you like it, until you try it." It's a individual thing, volunteering for animals may not be for them or they are just curious.
If a person really wants to help animals they will, not much convincing needed. Just continue to do what you do and keep spreading the word for needed help. Maybe you can post an ad in your community paper or local college or just by word of mouth. Maybe when people come to the shelter to adopt, advise them on volunteer opportunities available. As for your friends if they don't want to at least try it for a half of day then maybe it's not for them and you don't want have flaky volunteers that jump ship with the first sign of a tough day. Hang in there the right people will come.

Cynalex-- thanks for the great ideas. You're right; we don't need any flaky people who jump ship as soon as they see it's not an easy job. (That happens too often already.)
Thanks again.

I do agree that it is a tough job, not for the faint-hearted. You have all my admiration in what you do.It seems to me the biggest problem in society is that people do not want to see the negatives that is part of the world we created. It's hard for me on a daily basis to try and convince people to play a part towards helping animals, trying to make them face the truth. I'm a foster parent for my local HS and constantly suprised by how few people know about this, (whenever it pops up in conversations). Advertising seems like a very good idea, I wish I could put up a few flyers at my worK!!

Hi. I have volunteered at animal shelters for a few years now. I have a lot of people say the same thing to me about not wanting to volunteer because it is too hard. However, there are other ways to volunteer at the shelter without directly working with the animals(I have worked at a shelter too). Help with fundraisers are ALWAYS needed. If your shelter does newspaper ads or has a website, maybe one of your friends would be interested in helping to update the site or write the ads. I know our shelter had a pet memorial garden and we were always looking for someone to help mow the lawn or weed the garden or other things like that. Maybe your friends or others you talk to could help the shelter in those ways or other ways your specific shelter needs help.

I have found that volunteering at my local animal shelter is a difficult thing to do. You are first required to attend an orientation (which I did) plus two classes in the specialty area you are interested in. I took my first class in dog socialization, but a second class was never scheduled for lack of participants, so I was unable to volunteer. I did spend 6 months as a "Keeper Aide" at a local zoo, which only involved an orientation and 3 vaccines to do so, but it seems like my area shelters make it too difficult to volunteer.

Some people don't realize that there are LOTS of different ways to volunteer.

For example, they could run a fundraiser for the animals (a car wash, bake sale, running yard sales, just throw a party, anything!).

Some shelters need office help (filing, stuffing envelopes, etc.) Some need artists to do some signs or design some Tshirts or cards to sell.

Perhaps they could make a video about the shelter or a certain needy pet or an animal issue for cable TV or to submit to local news. Or write an article. Or put up a MySpace page for the shelter. Or create a website for the shelter. Or take photos to post on Petfinder.com

Someone may have painting or carpentry or landscaping or handyman skills to do repairs and improvements around the shelter.

Everyone has different skills and interests and something to offer. Finding the right match makes volunteering EASY and FUN!

You might want to consider talking to shelter staff and coming up with a list of different volunteer activities. And then consider writing a letter to the editor of your local paper suggesting these volunteer activities and asking for help.

tell7777:
Thanks so much for your suggestions--they're very helpful!

I am sure open to any new suggestions. I have been an active volunteer at the Tacoma WA Humane Society for 4 years, we will have 100 go through orientation and maybe 25 will stick around for a while then aybe half will stay for the long term. I have learned to look at it this way a few dependable are better the a lot of fair weather friends. So many do not stay when they find out it is more then just loving and playing with animals. So many do not realize that a big problem is transfering disease is also a big problem. Also training and socialization is one of the best friends for a qulity adoption. I also have realized that community education on the needs of the shelter, spay and nuter and vaccinations are a top priority. We are really trying to be a no kill shelter but somedays especially with the cats it is like trying to swim up Niagra Falls. But I remind myself constantly one step at a time.

Thank you all for your posts. One of the problems in getting people to volunteer (as barkpurrson said) is helping people realize that spread of disease is a huge problem in shelters. Upper respiratory infections/kennel cough can spread like wildfire. Orientations and trainings are crucial for new volunteers, for lots of reasons, and unfortunately, even getting those sessions scheduled can be a problem. When we have new volunteers who can't come in for a regularly scheduled training, I usually volunteer to hold a special training just for them, on a Sunday. We need every dedicated volunteer we can get--especially for training & socializing both cats and dogs. Unsocialized animals don't get adopted! Community education concerning spaying/neutering/vaccinating is also crucial. There are never enough people to help out, but we really do have to take one step & one day at a time--thanks, barkpurrson! I needed to hear that.

I would like to get started with a seniors helping seniors program. Matching older people with the harder to adopt older pets anyone have such a program or great ideas on how to get his going. Will appreciate any input.

Hi I agree that it is hard to volunteer at an animal shelter and sometimes it is heartwrenching when you see so many cats and dogs that do not have loving homes. I would just keep doing what you are doing and if your friends truly care about animals, then I'm sure they will come around. They may feel uncomfortable right now to volunteer. I'm currently involved in a non-profit organization called Save A Kitty Feral Cat Program where we have volunteers to be care-givers to these fearl cats and kittens and as of now we've spayed and neutered over 400 cats and kittens and adopted out approximately 200 cats and kittens. If you want more information on how you can start one if there is not one in your area, visit www.saveakitty.org and it will give you lots of information on how you can be a volunteer to help. Also good luck in finding volunteers and maybe you could have an awareness table set up at a local event to raise awareness and sign up voluteers that way. Good luck.

I have been volunteering at a local animal shelter, near Chicago, IL, for several years now, and one of our biggest fundraisers each year is a our baby shower that we throw for all the little puppies and kittens that arrive in a seemingly endless supply each spring. We had this shower for the first time last year, and, due to its overwhelming success, we will be having one again this year. This is basically an open house, where volunteers can bring in their family, friends, and people from the community to visit the animals in the shelter. People brought in refreshements (for people, as well as the animals) and gifts/donations of all sorts, including but not limited to: canned food, scratching posts, chew toys, and supplies for the front office.

This was not only a good way of fundraising, but we also got handfulls of people wanting to volunteer, foster, and even adopt some of the animals that they saw that day.

leftyjade,
that is a great idea. Maybe I should see about informing the animal shelter here in parkersburg about doing a baby shower for the puppies and kittens too. Would you be kind enough to forward more information on how to start one up?? If so, you can e-mail me at Dochristi3@aol.com and let me know what all needs to be done to get this started. From what I've read, it looks like a good way to raise funds and awareness on how much that the animal shelter needs help with. Good job and I hope to hear from you soon. God bless ya.

Be like me! just start up your own group, and figure out ways to raise awareness, and money for the nearest shelter.but since the question says "how to get other to volunteer?" that makes me think.... What did i do to get all those volunteer? Well first when i asked, i didnt pressure anyone. I said "if you wanna join just join." I also included that we'll be traveling, to see and explore nature and its inhabitants. People who like nature, dont need to like animals. But combinig both, helped the people who didnt like animal, LOVE them, and the animal lovers who knew nothing about nature, began to learn. Slowly but surely. So just try combining 2 things that go in common to get volunteers. It works!!

ISomething the animal shelter I volunteer at does that volunteers run are adoption events outside the shelter. You just need to find businesses that would allow you to be outside/inside with a few well-behaved dogs and have a volunteer dog chaperone with each dog. This greatly increases the visibility of the shelter and ends up recruiting volunteers when people stop to chat about the dogs. You can also have indoor events for the cats. This is only a small time commitment for volunteers, who could sign up when they are available. Some people feel they don't have the time to commit to volunteering on a regular basis, and this provides them the opportunity to volunteer without having to make a large time commitment. Once they start, they're likely to want to volunteer more often!

Barkpurrson, you wanted to start a seniors helping seniors program to find homes for older animals. My shelter has held cat adoption events at retirement communities where residents are allowed to have cats. Maybe you could find out if there's a similar location near you. We all know how beneficial animals can be senior citizens, especially those living alone. Good luck!

I don't know where any of you live but I'm hoping you've heard of Petsmart. The shelter I volunteer for goes to Petsmart every Saturday and Sunday to help adopt out dogs and cats. Pet Co. also allows this. Ask the manager, or call to see if they have space available. If you don't have the time or resouces to do so, have a fundraiser on the front sidewalk and bring a loveable dog to show off-it works great for advertising, getting donations, and the occasional volunteer sign-up.