If you read this blog with any regularity you know I’m a big-time animal lover. Pictures of Sadie are plastered all over the place and stories about people helping animals simply make my heart swell.
This post continues the series of PBF-reader submitted volunteer stories and highlights the experiences of three readers with The Humane Society.
The Humane Society is the nation’s largest animal protection organization. The society advocates for better laws to protect animals, provides animal rescue and emergency response, investigates cases of animal cruelty, cares for animals through rehabilitation centers, emergency shelters and clinics, among other objectives.
To learn more about The Humane Society, you may click the link below:
Amanda’s Story
This past fall, I had the honor of becoming a volunteer for the Washington Humane Society in Washington DC. The Washington Humane Society is the only open-shelter in the Nation’s Capital. They accept all types of animals (including turtles!) that have been surrendered. Not only are they a shelter, they offer public education and training, they neuter feral cats, they organize group runs for shelter dogs around the capital, and organize many charitable events.
I have two dogs of my own, but decided to volunteer because I cannot get enough of them. First I had to become a ‘shelter star’ to learn the ins and outs of the shelter, then I became a dog specialist where I get to walk and play with the dogs.
Ninety percent of the dogs in the shelter are pit-bull mixes. Unfortunately these types of dogs get a bad reputation because of their strength and ability. It makes me sad to know this as I have had a pit-bull in the past, and they can be some of the most sweet and loyal dogs I have ever come across.
It is a wonderful feeling knowing that I am helping dogs have a better doggie life until they find their forever home.
You may follow Amanda at her blog: VeggiesnDogs.com.
Jen’s Story
Hi everyone! I’m Jen from Daydreams and Shoestrings, and I volunteer at St. Tammany Humane Society. A lot of people ask me how I do it – how do I volunteer without bringing every animal home with me? Truth is…it does make me sad (and mad) to see so many beautiful animals without a loving home, but it also fills my heart with happiness to know that I am enriching their lives as they wait to find a family of their own.
Since the shelter is a no-kill shelter, they have a set number of spots available for the animals in need…so the more they interact with friendly faces (or humans in general!) the better off they are for being showcased to potential adopters!
I prefer to volunteer my time at the shelter walking the dogs and socializing the cats. I soon realized that I was hooked – the excitement and happiness the dogs exuded when I approached with a leash in hand was so fulfilling. How could I refuse the happy yips as they all clamored to be chosen to get out in the fresh air for some exercise? Some dogs were playful – nudging your hand to throw a stick, while others just wanted to stretch out their legs – running endless loops around the dog path. But one thing they all had in common was fierce appreciation – shown in the forms of doggy kisses of course!
And I fell in love with the fact that the primary duty of the Cat Cottage is just to give the shelter cats some much-needed love and attention. I found that the more time I spent with them, the more I began to learn their quirks and attitudes. There are the ones who shy away – pretending not to notice you – but then boldly swat at your feet if you don’t pay attention to them. And then there are the ones who plop into your lap like a princess and nudge for hidden kitty treats. In all honesty, even though I don’t get to take them home with me, they are still my pets.
If you love animals, becoming a volunteer at your local shelter is definitely something you should consider. You will be making a difference not only to the animals that reside there, but also to the shelter and to your community. Words can’t adequately describe the rewarding feeling you get from helping these beautiful four-legged souls.
Nicole’s Story
Hi there! I’m Nicole, and I volunteer at the San Diego Humane Society.
When I moved 2,500 miles away from my home base to San Diego a few years ago, I knew I wanted to somehow get involved in the community. Being a huge animal lover, I was drawn to the idea of volunteering at an organization dedicated to helping animals. I immediately sought out Humane Societies in the area, and have had the pleasure of volunteering ever since then.
My volunteer role is to care for the adoptable dogs. I take them for walks, play fetch, attempt to teach them tricks, and give them love and attention. It can be a little heartbreaking to see the unfortunate circumstances that have led some dogs to the Humane Society, but I love being part of an organization whose mission is to end animal suffering. I find comfort in knowing that once animals are in their hands, the Humane Society does everything in their power to give them the best lives possible and find their “forever” homes.
Volunteering is such a rewarding experience, whether I’m playing with an overly excited puppy whose trying desperately to lick my face, or attempting to win over a scared and timid dog with treats. I’ve fallen in love with more than a few dogs, and enjoy the time I spend helping out such a wonderful organization.
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Additional reader volunteer stories:
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awww now this one has to touch my heart strings, I LOVE dogs!
Great feature! I’ve volunteered with animal organizations for years and created a local program called Miles and Mutts that pairs shelter dogs with runners to take them out on regular runs. So many dogs just need some exercise and socialization!!
So great! There’s an organization like that in Philly called the Monster Milers 🙂
As a HuGE dog lover I loved this !! Great job ladies!!
Oh this post tugs at my heart strings. It breaks my heart to see and hear of all the homeless dogs, especially the pit bull mixes. I have a pit bull and he is the love of my life (after my husband of course!). I would do anything for that dog and often blog about him too as he just seems to write the material himself, he’s so funny! I wish more people would give this breed a chance. So grateful for people like Jen and Nicole that give back in this way 🙂
Opps, and Amanda too! (Sorry, typing too fast!) ;D
Thank you so much Julie, for sharing stories on shelters, pets and volunteering! Its so important to help and the stories about what these ladies do for animals made me cry happy and sad tears, great work ladies!!
Great post! I love animals & I have been wanting to volunteer at an animal shelter – this is a nice little push in the right direction 🙂
given your love of animals and sharing these incredible stories, and all your free time, why don’t you volunteer at the Human Society of Ocala? 😀
I just complete the Dog-n-Jog to benefit the Kansas City area Human Society this morning. Great organization!
My sister adopted a pit bull from the St. Tammany Humane Society about a year ago! Great to hear Jen’s story! 🙂
AWWW this post makes me tear up… now I want to go volunteer… this is something I think I’m seriously going to do…we just got a German Shepherd and a mini schnauzer… so i have become a huuuge dog lover in the past few years!! I’m sorry i didn’t sooner. I love Pit bulls… i think they can be great dogs!!
Uh oh, I think I found a summer project! 🙂 Thanks so much for posting these volunteer opportunities, Julie!
Awww, I love puppies! It breaks my heart to see them suffering. My friend runs a rescue in Muncie, IN and I try to support her when I can. Our dog is a rescue dog. I just cannot fathom that someone abandoned her. She is the sweetest doggy you will ever meet.
Erin,
I just wanted to say thank you for clearing that up for everyone! I am from a very rural/agricultural area and that is great to see someone else helping get all the facts straight on the difference between humane societies and HSUS-thanks again for your help in the fight! 🙂
Just so you know the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that you linked does not run/ have affiliation with local human societies. The HSUS is mostly a lobbying organization. I fully support local humane societies that work hard to save animals. Many people believe HSUS is associated with their local shelter and often donate money to HSUS for this very reason. However, HSUS has been known to use their more for the promotion of animal rights issues they deem important, while pretty much none of their money goes to local shelters.
I’ve volunteered at my local humane society walking dogs and loved it!
oh my gosh, i had no idea! is there an overall website for the humane society with a listing of local chapters? i am having a hard time finding it and want to update this post!
I don’t think there is since they are all funded independently. They should have something like that though.
*use their money
That pic of the 2 pups on the dog bed, and the one’s flipped over…total hams! Great stories.
Aww, I adopted my super sweet maine coon cat from the Atlanta Humane Society! My office used to be close to the downtown location and I would run over there during lunch sometimes just to visit with the animals (makes me so happy to be around animals! selfishly I would often go over there when I was down just so they could lift my mood! It really is therapeutic to be around animals). Volunteering at a Humane Society is a great thing!
Yay jen!! You are such an inspiration! 🙂 love you sweetie!
Thanks for sharing the three dog’s story. I love the picture where Amanda seems to be smiling and when she’s playing with the other.
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