essay about volunteering at an animal shelter

My Experience Volunteering at an Animal Shelter

So, I found a plan B: volunteering at my local animal shelter. I realized that I didn’t need a fancy internship just to get the hands-on experience I was looking for. So, I spent the summer volunteering, and it was probably the best decision I have ever made.

Working at an animal shelter isn’t the most glamorous work. I can tell you from firsthand experience: Do not wear your favorite shirt when training the dogs how to sit and stay because the big slobbering kiss that the Boxer is going to give you is going all over it.  I wouldn’t wear new sneakers when feeding the cats either, especially near that one black tabby who shows her displeasure of particular food by spitting it out at random targets.

Despite all this, it’s an amazing and rewarding experience. While there are many tough chores, like cleaning up after the animals and washing their dirty beds, there are also fun ways to directly interact with the animals. I always love walking around and deciding which dog to take to the training room to teach new tricks. It’s always a difficult decision because the dogs always get so excited to see you, and it can be hard to just pick one.

I remember teaching a mixed breed Collie how to sit, and when I came back the next time, another volunteer had taught her how to do paw. So every time I came with a treat, without even giving the commands, she immediately sat and gave me her paw. The experience was as motivating and exciting as it was to teach my own Labradoodle puppy to do the same tricks. In addition to teaching the dogs tricks, you can also take them on walks and train them how to act appropriately on a walk. This is probably the most difficult task because each dog acts differently on their walk, and it becomes hard to gauge how each dog will react in certain situations.

When I first came to the shelter, I have to admit I was terrified of cats. But when I came with my friend, a cat lover, she convinced me to “socialize” the cats and interact with one of them directly. Slowly, my fear subsided, and now I love playing with the cats. While I still prefer hanging out with the dogs, I make sure to set aside enough time to go to the cat room during a visit, especially because most volunteers only come for the dogs.

Many people don’t realize the importance of donations for a shelter’s survival. Shelters often run low on basic and necessary supplies, like newspapers and towels. When I heard about this, I solicited small donations from my school to allow the shelter to purchase necessities, which made the shelter extremely grateful. People also don’t realize that in order to get involved, they don’t need to work hands-on at the shelter. There are so many other ways to contribute: raising money, soliciting donations, or even helping out at the front desk.

So, if you’re not a big fan of animals but still want to help, there are other ways to do so. Ultimately, plan B was a great decision!

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write a great community service essay.

College Admissions , Extracurriculars

Are you applying to a college or a scholarship that requires a community service essay? Do you know how to write an essay that will impress readers and clearly show the impact your work had on yourself and others?

Read on to learn step-by-step instructions for writing a great community service essay that will help you stand out and be memorable.

What Is a Community Service Essay? Why Do You Need One?

A community service essay is an essay that describes the volunteer work you did and the impact it had on you and your community. Community service essays can vary widely depending on specific requirements listed in the application, but, in general, they describe the work you did, why you found the work important, and how it benefited people around you.

Community service essays are typically needed for two reasons:

#1: To Apply to College

• Some colleges require students to write community service essays as part of their application or to be eligible for certain scholarships.
• You may also choose to highlight your community service work in your personal statement.

#2: To Apply for Scholarships

• Some scholarships are specifically awarded to students with exceptional community service experiences, and many use community service essays to help choose scholarship recipients.
• Green Mountain College offers one of the most famous of these scholarships. Their "Make a Difference Scholarship" offers full tuition, room, and board to students who have demonstrated a significant, positive impact through their community service

Getting Started With Your Essay

In the following sections, I'll go over each step of how to plan and write your essay. I'll also include sample excerpts for you to look through so you can get a better idea of what readers are looking for when they review your essay.

Step 1: Know the Essay Requirements

Before your start writing a single word, you should be familiar with the essay prompt. Each college or scholarship will have different requirements for their essay, so make sure you read these carefully and understand them.

Specific things to pay attention to include:

• Length requirement
• Application deadline
• The main purpose or focus of the essay
• If the essay should follow a specific structure

Below are three real community service essay prompts. Read through them and notice how much they vary in terms of length, detail, and what information the writer should include.

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

"Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words."

From the Laura W. Bush Traveling Scholarship:

"Essay (up to 500 words, double spaced) explaining your interest in being considered for the award and how your proposed project reflects or is related to both UNESCO's mandate and U.S. interests in promoting peace by sharing advances in education, science, culture, and communications."

From the LULAC National Scholarship Fund:

"Please type or print an essay of 300 words (maximum) on how your academic studies will contribute to your personal & professional goals. In addition, please discuss any community service or extracurricular activities you have been involved in that relate to your goals."

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Even after you understand what the essay should be about, it can still be difficult to begin writing. Answer the following questions to help brainstorm essay ideas. You may be able to incorporate your answers into your essay.

• What community service activity that you've participated in has meant the most to you?
• What is your favorite memory from performing community service?
• Why did you decide to begin community service?
• What made you decide to volunteer where you did?
• How has your community service changed you?
• How has your community service helped others?
• How has your community service affected your plans for the future?

You don't need to answer all the questions, but if you find you have a lot of ideas for one of two of them, those may be things you want to include in your essay.

Writing Your Essay

How you structure your essay will depend on the requirements of the scholarship or school you are applying to. You may give an overview of all the work you did as a volunteer, or highlight a particularly memorable experience. You may focus on your personal growth or how your community benefited.

Regardless of the specific structure requested, follow the guidelines below to make sure your community service essay is memorable and clearly shows the impact of your work.

Samples of mediocre and excellent essays are included below to give you a better idea of how you should draft your own essay.

Step 1: Hook Your Reader In

You want the person reading your essay to be interested, so your first sentence should hook them in and entice them to read more. A good way to do this is to start in the middle of the action. Your first sentence could describe you helping build a house, releasing a rescued animal back to the wild, watching a student you tutored read a book on their own, or something else that quickly gets the reader interested. This will help set your essay apart and make it more memorable.

Compare these two opening sentences:

"I have volunteered at the Wishbone Pet Shelter for three years."

"The moment I saw the starving, mud-splattered puppy brought into the shelter with its tail between its legs, I knew I'd do whatever I could to save it."

The first sentence is a very general, bland statement. The majority of community service essays probably begin a lot like it, but it gives the reader little information and does nothing to draw them in. On the other hand, the second sentence begins immediately with action and helps persuade the reader to keep reading so they can learn what happened to the dog.

Step 2: Discuss the Work You Did

Once you've hooked your reader in with your first sentence, tell them about your community service experiences. State where you work, when you began working, how much time you've spent there, and what your main duties include. This will help the reader quickly put the rest of the essay in context and understand the basics of your community service work.

Not including basic details about your community service could leave your reader confused.

Step 3: Include Specific Details

It's the details of your community service that make your experience unique and memorable, so go into the specifics of what you did.

For example, don't just say you volunteered at a nursing home; talk about reading Mrs. Johnson her favorite book, watching Mr. Scott win at bingo, and seeing the residents play games with their grandchildren at the family day you organized. Try to include specific activities, moments, and people in your essay. Having details like these let the readers really understand what work you did and how it differs from other volunteer experiences.

Compare these two passages:

"For my volunteer work, I tutored children at a local elementary school. I helped them improve their math skills and become more confident students."

"As a volunteer at York Elementary School, I worked one-on-one with second and third graders who struggled with their math skills, particularly addition, subtraction, and fractions. As part of my work, I would create practice problems and quizzes and try to connect math to the students' interests. One of my favorite memories was when Sara, a student I had been working with for several weeks, told me that she enjoyed the math problems I had created about a girl buying and selling horses so much that she asked to help me create math problems for other students."

The first passage only gives basic information about the work done by the volunteer; there is very little detail included, and no evidence is given to support her claims. How did she help students improve their math skills? How did she know they were becoming more confident?

The second passage is much more detailed. It recounts a specific story and explains more fully what kind of work the volunteer did, as well as a specific instance of a student becoming more confident with her math skills. Providing more detail in your essay helps support your claims as well as make your essay more memorable and unique.

Step 4: Show Your Personality

It would be very hard to get a scholarship or place at a school if none of your readers felt like they knew much about you after finishing your essay, so make sure that your essay shows your personality. The way to do this is to state your personal strengths, then provide examples to support your claims. Take some time to think about which parts of your personality you would like your essay to highlight, then write about specific examples to show this.

• If you want to show that you're a motivated leader, describe a time when you organized an event or supervised other volunteers.
• If you want to show your teamwork skills, write about a time you helped a group of people work together better.
• If you want to show that you're a compassionate animal lover, write about taking care of neglected shelter animals and helping each of them find homes.

Step 5: State What You Accomplished

After you have described your community service and given specific examples of your work, you want to begin to wrap your essay up by stating your accomplishments. What was the impact of your community service? Did you build a house for a family to move into? Help students improve their reading skills? Clean up a local park? Make sure the impact of your work is clear; don't be worried about bragging here.

If you can include specific numbers, that will also strengthen your essay. Saying "I delivered meals to 24 home-bound senior citizens" is a stronger example than just saying "I delivered meals to lots of senior citizens."

Also be sure to explain why your work matters. Why is what you did important? Did it provide more parks for kids to play in? Help students get better grades? Give people medical care who would otherwise not have gotten it? This is an important part of your essay, so make sure to go into enough detail that your readers will know exactly what you accomplished and how it helped your community.

"My biggest accomplishment during my community service was helping to organize a family event at the retirement home. The children and grandchildren of many residents attended, and they all enjoyed playing games and watching movies together."

"The community service accomplishment that I'm most proud of is the work I did to help organize the First Annual Family Fun Day at the retirement home. My job was to design and organize fun activities that senior citizens and their younger relatives could enjoy. The event lasted eight hours and included ten different games, two performances, and a movie screening with popcorn. Almost 200 residents and family members attended throughout the day. This event was important because it provided an opportunity for senior citizens to connect with their family members in a way they aren't often able to. It also made the retirement home seem more fun and enjoyable to children, and we have seen an increase in the number of kids coming to visit their grandparents since the event."

The second passage is stronger for a variety of reasons. First, it goes into much more detail about the work the volunteer did. The first passage only states that she helped "organize a family event." That really doesn't tell readers much about her work or what her responsibilities were. The second passage is much clearer; her job was to "design and organize fun activities."

The second passage also explains the event in more depth. A family day can be many things; remember that your readers are likely not familiar with what you're talking about, so details help them get a clearer picture.

Lastly, the second passage makes the importance of the event clear: it helped residents connect with younger family members, and it helped retirement homes seem less intimidating to children, so now some residents see their grand kids more often.

Step 6: Discuss What You Learned

One of the final things to include in your essay should be the impact that your community service had on you. You can discuss skills you learned, such as carpentry, public speaking, animal care, or another skill.

You can also talk about how you changed personally. Are you more patient now? More understanding of others? Do you have a better idea of the type of career you want? Go into depth about this, but be honest. Don't say your community service changed your life if it didn't because trite statements won't impress readers.

In order to support your statements, provide more examples. If you say you're more patient now, how do you know this? Do you get less frustrated while playing with your younger siblings? Are you more willing to help group partners who are struggling with their part of the work? You've probably noticed by now that including specific examples and details is one of the best ways to create a strong and believable essay .

"As a result of my community service, I learned a lot about building houses and became a more mature person."

"As a result of my community service, I gained hands-on experience in construction. I learned how to read blueprints, use a hammer and nails, and begin constructing the foundation of a two-bedroom house. Working on the house could be challenging at times, but it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work and be more willing to pitch in when I see someone needs help. My dad has just started building a shed in our backyard, and I offered to help him with it because I know from my community service how much work it is. I also appreciate my own house more, and I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head."

The second passage is more impressive and memorable because it describes the skills the writer learned in more detail and recounts a specific story that supports her claim that her community service changed her and made her more helpful.

Step 7: Finish Strong

Just as you started your essay in a way that would grab readers' attention, you want to finish your essay on a strong note as well. A good way to end your essay is to state again the impact your work had on you, your community, or both. Reiterate how you changed as a result of your community service, why you found the work important, or how it helped others.

Compare these two concluding statements:

"In conclusion, I learned a lot from my community service at my local museum, and I hope to keep volunteering and learning more about history."

"To conclude, volunteering at my city's American History Museum has been a great experience. By leading tours and participating in special events, I became better at public speaking and am now more comfortable starting conversations with people. In return, I was able to get more community members interested in history and our local museum. My interest in history has deepened, and I look forward to studying the subject in college and hopefully continuing my volunteer work at my university's own museum."

The second passage takes each point made in the first passage and expands upon it. In a few sentences, the second passage is able to clearly convey what work the volunteer did, how she changed, and how her volunteer work benefited her community.

The author of the second passage also ends her essay discussing her future and how she'd like to continue her community service, which is a good way to wrap things up because it shows your readers that you are committed to community service for the long-term.

What's Next?

Are you applying to a community service scholarship or thinking about it? We have a complete list of all the community service scholarships available to help get your search started!

Do you need a community service letter as well? We have a step-by-step guide that will tell you how to get a great reference letter from your community service supervisor.

Thinking about doing community service abroad? Before you sign up, read our guide on some of the hazards of international volunteer trips and how to know if it's the right choice for you.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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10 Reasons to Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

Are you looking for a way to give back? You might want to consider volunteering at your local animal shelter. Not only will you be giving back to an animal in need, you will discover other benefits, too.

1.Boost your mood and reduce stress: Naturally, volunteering produces good feelings about serving someone in need. Volunteering at a shelter has the added benefit of being around animals, which has shown to lower stress and blood pressure. Cuddling and petting animals also help boost your serotonin and dopamine levels, which in turn helps you relax and feel happy.

2. You are making a difference: As an animal shelter volunteer, your primary goal is to help make the animal adoptable. This involves feeding the animals so they can be a healthy weight, bathing and grooming them and helping abused or stray animals become accustomed to human interaction. All these tasks help the animal find a happy home and better life filled will love.

3. There is a big need for volunteers: Animal shelters can’t function without the help from volunteers. There are so many animals constantly being brought in and lots of tasks need to be done. Volunteering a couple of hours of your time every week can help give animals another chance.

4. Make new friends and become a team player: If you are an animal lover, chances are the other volunteers will be animal lovers too. You will be able to meet other like-minded individuals who are just as passionate about rescuing animal as well. Volunteering will also teach you how to work as a team to get major tasks done.

5. Gain work experience or service hours: Volunteering is a great way to get work experience or boost your resume. It is also a great way for high schoolers or young adults to get service hours. Just because you are volunteering doesn’t mean you aren’t developing new skills that will help you along your career.

6. Help develop a sense of responsibility and selflessness: Helping at an animal shelter can be a big responsibility. Not only are the animals depending on you, but the entire organization is also depending on you. You might think dog walking or socializing with cats isn’t making a difference, but it has a bigger impact than you know. Volunteering also helps you become selfless by giving your time to your community . All these skills help make a leader.

7. Something new and fun: If you need a change of pace, volunteering at your local animal shelter can give you something new to do. Invite your friends and make a day out of it. You will be able to bond with them and your new furry friends.

8. Not a people person? No problem: Let’s face it, not everyone is a people person and that’s OK. You will mostly be in contact with animals and focused on their care. This is perfect if you are shy or prefer keeping to yourself.

9. Stay active: Dog walking is one of the main tasks at shelters. Dog walking will help you get some fresh air and burn calories. Other tasks may involve a lot of cleaning which can also give you a small workout.

10. You get be around animals who need you: The best part about volunteering at a shelter are the animals! You get to play and care for cats and dogs while helping them get adopted. You will build bonds and see your new furry friend’s personalities develop. In turn you will experience the unconditional love only a dog or cat can give.

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How to help animals in shelters and rescues

Want to help animals in shelters? Here are a few ways you can help animal shelters and rescues that do so much for animals, people and your community

Animal shelters and rescues are amazing! Usually with limited resources and very little publicity, they help untold numbers of animals and people. Give back by choosing one or more of the following ways to show your appreciation for the groups that do so much for animals, people and your community.

1. Adopt a pet

If you’ve been thinking that it’s time to add a pet to your family, consider adopting from a local shelter or rescue group. Search for available cats and dogs at your local shelter or rescue . Be sure to find out from the group you are considering adopting from what their adoption process is like and, if it doesn’t feel right to you, move on to another local group.

Every animal shelter and rescue organization has bills to pay and your generous monetary donation will be gratefully accepted. Donations may be used to help cover the costs of daily operations, supplies, staff training, animal housing upgrades, community outreach programs, animal enrichment and much more.

3. Volunteer

Even if you can’t adopt a pet just now, you can help make life better for animals in your community by volunteering with your local shelter or rescue organization . Do you have experience as a carpenter or electrician? Are you a marketing or dog walking whiz? All of these skills are valuable! Or be open to learning something new that is needed, such as trap-neuter-return for unowned cats.

4. Say thanks

Take a minute to express your gratitude to the people who work at your local shelter or rescue groups . Did you adopt a pet from one of them? Did they provide affordable spay/neuter? Perhaps they helped reunite you with your lost pet or provided behavioral advice that made it possible for your pet to stay in your home. Give them a shout-out on social media, drop off lunch or cookies for the staff and/or mention to municipal leadership what a value they bring to your community.

5. Become a fan

Like and follow your local animal shelters and rescue groups on Facebook, then invite your friends and family to like and follow them too. Engage by sharing and commenting on posts.

6. Get crafty

Combine fabric, recyclables and imagination to bring much needed fun into the lives of local shelter and rescue pets. You can fashion cage curtains to help shelter cats get some privacy (and stay healthy) or play matchmaker by creating attention-grabbing "Adopt-Me" vests to spotlight available pets at adoption events held by shelters and rescues.

7. Make wishes come true

Shelters and rescue groups always need towels, toys and other supplies. Check their websites for wishlists; if they don’t have one, call them to find out what's in short supply and offer to create an online wishlist for them.

8. Become a foster

The value of fosters can't be overrated. They can be lifesavers for pets who can't adapt to shelter life, those who need to be nursed back to health and orphaned kittens who need someone to step in for their mom (or whose needs are beyond what busy shelter staff can often provide).

Foster homes are the backbone of many rescue groups—without a strong network of foster providers, rescue groups simply could not take in as many animals. Foster homes can also become adoption ambassadors to friends, family and colleagues who otherwise may not visit the shelter. If you already have pets of your own, fostering is also often very fun for the resident pet.

9. Help at your own home

Make the jobs of shelters and rescues easier: Outfit your cats and dogs with collars and proper ID (a microchip and ID tags) at all times. As soon as you bring them into your family, have all of your pets spayed or neutered . Keep your cats indoors , where you can keep them safe (though it's great to take them on walks if they are comfortable on a harness and leash or provide them a catio for safe outdoor enrichment) and keep dogs on leashes when off your property.

10. Help your shelter make positive changes

The work your local shelter does may be hindered by an outdated animal control ordinance or, for municipal shelters, an inadequate budget. You can help by rallying support from your elected officials and working with shelter and rescue leaders to make necessary changes . If you see or hear anything at your local shelter that concerns you, follow our guidelines for addressing that concern in the most effective way.

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Top Tips for Volunteer Success in an Animal Shelter or Rescue

Want your volunteers to embrace their work with commitment and enthusiasm? Here’s how to establish a win-win relationship with these critical and often unsung heroes that will have them inspired, empowered, and engaged. From transparency to accessibility to recognition and training, volunteers need straightforward information from recruitment through onboarding and (hopefully) years into their commitment to your animal shelter or rescue.

To ensure volunteer success, use these tips to create a motivating environment to retain your most crucial and valuable assets: your volunteers.

Be Accessible and Inclusive

Focus your messaging on how volunteers can best serve your organization to help prospective volunteers make an informed decision: is your program right for them? Consider these essential elements for proactive messaging and volunteer recruitment:

• Provide need-to-know information before  application submission (volunteer tasks, animals’ needs, etc.)
• Why consider your program
• How do community members get involved
• Minimum standards to participate (age, availability, proximity, etc.)
• Skills (highlight which are nice to have and which are required)
• Time commitment and schedule (highlight flexible schedule opportunities)
• Diverse volunteer roles and tasks, including those outside the shelter, like outreach, lost pet support, or foster.
• Where and when are opportunities available?

Though there will always be top volunteer needs operationally, attracting animal lovers of all interests and skill sets is helpful. Encouraging and empowering volunteers to be creative, whether their thing is social media, data, or baking, can increase your community engagement and lead to even more volunteer and donor support.

Another critical step in volunteer engagement is their onboarding. Streamlining the onboarding process helps reduce both short-term and long-term frustration for volunteers and staff and increases inspiration and motivation for new volunteers:

• Be flexible: Consider “fast-tracking” volunteers with known skills.
• Orient your volunteers to a culture of feedback;  check out this sample.
• Consider providing a pre-recorded training to describe the program before the prospective volunteers commit to reduce staff time and applicant frustration.
• Involve volunteers to train fellow volunteers – this empowers the mentors and inspires the mentees!

Be Transparent and Set Expectations

Be transparent with your volunteers so they have a deeper understanding of your organization’s opportunities and struggles. This will increase trust and empowerment.

• What are the needs of your animal population?
• What challenges might volunteers face (i.e., humane euthanasia decisions and compassion fatigue)?
• Are there opportunities to meet with or shadow different staff roles to learn new ways to help?

Engage volunteers to help where the needs are greatest.

• Motivate volunteers to support vital operational work (e.g., laundry, kennel cleaning) by asking them to do the “dirty work before the furry work.” Highlight the importance of this work for proper integrated care and overall animal health.
• What is available?
• What is required to get started?
• Who can help train them or “buddy up” for role shadowing?
• How will they be supported?

Train and Empower

Training means retaining . Follow these training tips to ensure your volunteers are prepared for duty, maximize their potential, and stick around for the long term.

• Provide clear and concise training (written, oral, video, and signage).
• Partner them with staff or experienced volunteers.
• Encourage – and provide access to – ongoing animal welfare education.
• Offer progressive training opportunities for growth.

Also, check out these  3 Tips to Train Volunteers with Staying Power .

Recognize and Support

Retain and cultivate volunteers as essential team members by fostering a sense of community and appreciation. These tips will help nurture a culture of volunteer value within your organization:

• Prioritize making good use of volunteers’ time.
• Offer social opportunities and events that include volunteers and staff.
• Empower staff to lead and coach volunteers.
• Recognize volunteers’ contributions with regular expressions of gratitude for their commitment.
• Provide development pathways to advancement and track accomplishments.
• Cultivate peer support programs (mentors).
• Commit to understanding your volunteers’ experience and feedback.
• Provide proactive communications that include changes, new opportunities, and success stories.

These essential elements will ultimately contribute to volunteers’ motivation and overall success— at the shelter and in the community as your advocates. By recognizing your volunteers’ dedication towards animal welfare, you will increase their investment in your organization, and vice versa.

We have lots more on this subject:

Featured Tools & Tips

Compassion Fatigue & Resilience Resources for Animal Shelter Staff & Volunteer Wellness

Learn essential ways to stay healthy and resilient while working in animal welfare, including tips for managing stress and preventing burnout.

Tips to Showcase Your Volunteer Appreciation

Get inspired from these easy & accessible ways to show your volunteers the appreciation they so deserve.

5 Ways to Show Volunteers How Important They Are

You know your volunteers are vital. Here are volunteer appreciation tips to help make sure they know it, too!

Explore ASPCApro Tools & Tips by Topic:

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Shelters to the Rescue

Nov 20 2017

Pros and Cons of Being an Animal Shelter Volunteer

Published by Alexandra Sullivan at 12:00 pm under How to Help Shelters

Becoming a volunteer does not just benefit your life; it benefits every animal that is in the shelter. There are volunteers of all ages that help make a difference in the lives of animals every day. If you are considering becoming a volunteer, here is a list of pros and cons to help you make your decision.

It’s a “feel good” thing. The work you are doing is a good thing. The work you are doing is contributing to animals finding homes and getting the care they need. Working with animals to get them ready for adoption is hard work, but it is incredible to see those animals find their forever homes.

Volunteers are always needed. There is a constant intake of animals, and those animals need the love and care you can provide. The services you take part in (ex. walking dogs, grooming cats, etc.) will never go unnoticed. Without volunteers, shelters would have a tough time caring for every animal on an individual level. This individualistic care is important to an animal’s social experience, personality, and training.

Being a volunteer is beneficial for your physical, emotional, and mental health. It has been proven that spending time with animals helps lower your stress levels and blood pressures. The services you partake in will keep you active and gives you the opportunity to create bonds with animals. These bonds help your emotional health and can battle issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress.

Meet good people. Volunteering at an animal shelter gives you the chance to be surrounded by people that share a common interest, so not only can you work toward a shared goal, but you can form a deeper connection. You will end up seeing these people on a regular basis, so it’s inevitable that you will form friendships.

Find the perfect companion. Anyone can fall in love with the way an animal looks, but you get to know the animal over a long period of time. Knowing how an animal plays, their energy level, how they act with other people, and how much training they’ll need can be essential information for anyone looking to adopt a certain animal. Help find someone their perfect companion, or find yours.

You get to see the animals you love get adopted. After spending time with them, and seeing all they have to offer, these animals are getting adopted, and you couldn’t be happier! You have done all you could to care for them and now it is time to see them go.

You will have to watch the animals you love get adopted. You are happy to see an animal get adopted, but you have developed a bond so deep that you don’t want to see them go. It’s a bittersweet moment, but you are looking forward to the photos their new parents are going to send you for a check-in.

Realizing you cannot take all the animals home with you. Maybe one, or two, but you probably couldn’t handle more than that. It may be the hardest part about leaving at the end of the day.

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Volunteering At An Animal Shelter by Mykaella

Mykaellaof WEST PALM BEACH's entry into Varsity Tutor's January 2017 scholarship contest

Volunteering At An Animal Shelter by Mykaella - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

As a little girl, I've always loved animals. Cats, dogs, little bunnies, you name it. About a year ago, I decided to volunteer at a nice animal shelter down the street from where I live. Working at an animal shelter isn’t the most glamorous thing. I can tell you from firsthand experience: Do not wear your favorite shirt when training the dogs how to sit and stay because the big slobbering kiss that the Boxer is going to give you is going all over it. I wouldn’t wear new sneakers when taking the dogs out for a nice stroll either, you never know where you plan on stepping and you most certainly don’t want to accidentally step in any dog waste.

Despite all this, volunteering at the animal shelter is a great experience. It showed me that there are a lot of wonderful pets who are placed into shelters each and every day who really just want to be loved. It inspired me to encourage the people in my community to go out and adopt from animal shelters instead of buying pets. A neighbor of mine decided to go ahead and do so, adopting a little yorkie terrier named Chewy. Lisa claims that adopting Chewy was one of the best decisions she’s ever made. Lisa suffers from anxiety and depression, but ever since she’s gotten Chewy, her anxiety and depression issues has decreased drastically.

“I don’t feel so alone anymore,” says Lisa. “Chewy makes me happy and I’m not sure where I’d be without him.”

7 Benefits of Being an Animal Shelter Volunteer

Being a volunteer at the CCSPCA benefits you just as much as it benefits us. We have specific volunteer programs for juniors (8-14) and youth (15-17) as well as for adults (18+). Besides getting to work with animals and dedicated staff members, here are 7 other benefits of being an animal shelter volunteer.

Why Become an Animal Shelter Volunteer

• It’s a feel good thing. Being an animal shelter volunteer at the CCSPCA makes you feel like you are doing the right thing. You are contributing to the solution, which makes you feel good about the work you are doing. Part of the job as a volunteer is that you work with the animals so they can become adoptable. Most of the animals we receive through our open door shelter are strays and have had little to no human interaction. By working with them on a semi-regular basis, they begin to trust you and other humans in extension. This helps them come out of their shell, stop being so timid, and become desirable to adopters.

• Animal shelter volunteers are needed! We have a constant intake of animals. Each one of these animals needs your love and care. Your help will never go unnoticed and you will never feel like you aren’t helping in some way. There will always be a dog to walk, a cat to groom or some animal to give your love to. The most important volunteer job at the CCSPCA is dog walking. Walking dogs is the easiest cure for kennel stress. Kennel stress is the behavior dogs have when transitioned to a kennel. Signs of kennel stress include hiding in the back of the kennel, be less active or stop eating. Some dogs may behave aggressively in response to stress, while other dogs will begin to perform repetitive behaviors, increase their frequency of barking/vocalization, become destructive, and start to urinate and defecate in their kennel. Stress may also affect a shelter dog’s physical health, causing increased susceptibility to diseases and a longer recovery time from illness. If dogs can get out of the kennel to take a walk on a regular basis, this helps relieve the stressors of the kennel and will in turn begin to act happy and healthy.
• Being an animal shelter volunteer is good for your emotional, physical, and mental health. It is scientifically proven that spending time with animals helps lower your stress levels and blood pressure. It will also keep you active, especially if you prefer to walk dogs. You get to create a unique bond with the animals, which helps your emotional health. Caring for pets can help you deal with depression, anxiety, and stress. Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which helps you be calm and relaxed.

• Volunteering encourages civic responsibility . By volunteering you get to contribute to a cause you care about. So, if you are passionate about saving animals, volunteering at the CCSPCA would be right up your alley. Volunteering also makes you feel like you are involved with your community and making a difference. It gives you a chance to give back to your community as well.
• You learn responsibility and time management. We expect our volunteers to behave in a professional manner. That means being on time to your scheduled shifts and notifying us when you might be late. Being a responsible person who manages their time well will make a valuable employee and a well-rounded person. It also shows that you have taken the initiative to dedicate your time to a specific cause.

If you are interested in becoming an animal shelter volunteer, please visit our volunteer page or contact our volunteer department at 559-233-7722 ext. 111 or email at [email protected]

9 stories about volunteers who are making a difference for pets

From Los Angeles to New York to every city in between, shelters all across the country are saving more and more lives every day, thanks in large part to the dedication and hard work of volunteers.

Whether they’re fostering pets, transporting cats and dogs, helping behind the scenes or rolling up their sleeves to clean kennels, volunteers not only better the lives of pets at shelters, but they’re part of a big reason why achieving no-kill in the U.S. is well within reach.

Here are nine stories about Best Friends volunteers who have made a huge impact on the lives of pets — and people, too.

1. Putting pets in the limelight

Kristin Biggs is an editor and videographer who’s tapped into her talents to help pets at Best Friends in Los Angeles . These days, you’re apt to find her at the lifesaving center, where she’s become the right-hand helper of Best Friends photographer Lori Fusaro.

If Kristin isn’t wrangling kittens, puppies, big dogs and everything in between for their close-ups, she’s helping the public relations team and assisting on video shoots.

“It’s very empowering to be part of a purpose that’s larger than yourself,” says Kristin. “To know that your efforts both help to make the lives of shelter animals better and support the Best Friends mission of no-kill by 2025 is extremely gratifying and incredibly close to my heart.”

Read more about Kristin

2. A pilot helps TNR take off in his community

After a group of community cats made itself at home on the property of a transportation company, Malcom, the company’s cargo pilot, knew he had to do something. “This was the first time I had seen so many cats out there, all together,” he says. “I knew they needed help.”

Malcom got started by contacting the Riverside County Department of Animal Services , where he learned about the shelter’s partnership with Best Friends to implement a community cat program (CCP).

Malcom decided to give TNR a try, and when fellow employees raised some concerns, he became an advocate for both the cats and TNR, connecting the employees with Best Friends staff, who helped alleviate their concerns and get the green light to proceed.

Today, Malcom has trapped 15 cats in his own neighborhood and is a full-fledged animal rescuer. “You’ve got to find people where you are,” says Malcolm. “Everyone has different things they can offer: time, money, supplies, space. When you come together you can make a big impact.”

Read more about Malcom

3. Foster volunteer stayed by kitten’s side through heart surgery journey

If you’ve ever fostered a pet with special needs, you know that while it can be an incredibly rewarding experience, it can also take a lot of dedication and determination.

When Shara Lopossa learned that Shinji, her foster kitten from Best Friends in Utah  needed major heart surgery to save his life, she made up her mind to do whatever was needed. The goal was to make sure his surgery was a success so he could live the life he’d barely begun.

Following the surgery, she made his recovery her No. 1 priority, caring for him morning to night. And her determination paid off. Today, we’re happy to report that Shinji is a healthy, happy kitten who was recently been adopted by a family who thinks the world of her. (And they’re big fans of Shara, too.)

Read more about Shara

4. Sanctuary volunteer helps put spring back in parrot’s step

Rick Eddy had a brilliant idea after dealing with knee pain for years. After getting help from muscle specialist Jared Gough, who created a technique called muscle alignment and restoration (MART), he got to thinking it just might help animals, too. The technique involves using light pressure to relieve muscle tension and restore range of motion.

Rick took classes to learn the technique and then he put his theory to work while volunteering at a zoo, where he noticed that MART had the potential to work particularly well for parrots. Then, he signed up to volunteer at the Parrot Garden  at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary , where caregivers set up some sessions with Lollipop, a stunning white cockatoo.

While the big bird slept, Rick worked out the tight spots in Lollipop’s head, neck and legs. Afterward, there was more spring in Lollipop’s step. Seeing how much he was able to help, Rick began visiting the bird weekly, and while they’ve developed a friendship, he still has plenty of time to spend with the other birds in Parrot Garden, too.

Read more about Rick

5. Volunteer turns fostering into art

When it comes to fostering cats and kittens, Namitha Kim is a natural. Since her fostering journey began in August of 2020, she’s cared for seven adult cats, plus five (and counting) kittens.

Like many foster volunteers, Namitha loved everything about it except one thing ― saying goodbye when the cats were ready to be adopted. In search of ways to make the parting moments easier, she contacted fellow foster volunteers on Facebook for advice. That’s how she got the idea of making clay paw prints of the pets she fostered.

Over the next few months, what started out as a quirky art project turned into a treasured collection of memories. Creating the paw prints became Namitha’s way of celebrating both the animals coming through her house and the journey she shared with them.

Read more about Namitha

6. A longtime volunteer who (literally) hits the road for pets

When the team at Best Friends in Utah needs help on a moment’s notice, they know who to call: Judy Steiger. The former hydrologist, who’s been volunteering with Best Friends for a decade, was a huge support during the early part of the pandemic, when challenges were especially difficult.

She’s always willing to transport pets to Salt Lake City from rural shelters in Utah or deliver pet food to families in need. And when she isn’t logging the miles to help pets, you’ll find her caring for neonatal kittens. In fact, she sometimes combines her volunteer roles, performing such feats as pulling over on a country road to bottle-feed hungry kittens.

“She is an incredible human being,” says Rhoney Farrimond, Best Friends volunteer coordinator in Utah. “She is never frustrated or overwhelmed. She just goes with the flow and problem-solves.”

Read more about Judy

7. Tech-savvy volunteer helps pets during the pandemic

When in-person adoptions at Best Friends in New York  stopped last year due to the pandemic, volunteer Randi Schey was uniquely poised to roll up her sleeves and take on new roles. Her savvy skills as an elementary school technology teacher made it possible for her to help Best Friends in a variety of new ways, even if it meant volunteering from home in her pajamas.

As the pandemic continued, Randi seamlessly shifted gears, and it didn’t matter if she was helping with virtual meet-and-greets or handling kitten counseling calls. (How cute does that sound?) She played a big role during the whole of 2020 by helping Best Friends in New York place a record-breaking number of pets in foster homes and get many other animals adopted.

Read more about Randi

8. How volunteering with mom helped a young woman with autism

Pets have a way of reaching us the way that our fellow humans sometimes cannot. This is what Julia Lawson found when she began volunteering at Best Friends in Atlanta  with her daughter, Julia, who is autistic (though highly functioning) and dyslexic. "The more we volunteered, the more at ease she became," says Kimberly. "Now, everyone can see her natural ability to love dogs where they're at and encourage them to be more."

Happiest when she’s helping dogs, Julia spent many hours cleaning kennels and has a particular affinity for shy dogs, while Kimberly’s favorite thing is to pitch in and help wherever there’s a need.

“They’re the perfect mother-daughter team,” says Brantlee Vickers, volunteer coordinator in Atlanta. “Their dedication to the mission of Best Friends is truly inspiring ... It's amazing to see a youth volunteer so willing to help and a mother being so supportive of her child's passion.”

Read more about Julia and Kimberly

9. The only thing better than volunteering ― doing it with friends, of course

Bobbie Oldfield and Marylin Sharp may not be hitting the roads much these days due to the pandemic. But you can bet that someday in the near future they’ll leave their Houston homes and head out toward Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, a place they often visit together.

Sometimes they’re transporting a pet passenger or two to the Sanctuary, or back to Texas on the return trip. That was the case with Knox, a senior cat with diabetes who needed a lift from Best Friends to his new home in San Antonio.

When they aren’t logging the miles, you can find the two friends volunteering together with Best Friends in Houston . And that’s not all: Marylin also fosters cats while Bobbie has a soft spot for helping dogs with special needs.

“They both have such big hearts and are so much fun to be around,” says Deyra Galvan, event and outreach coordinator for Best Friends in Houston. “Their energy is one of a kind. Not only are they amazing volunteers on their own, but their friendship makes them a dynamic duo together.”

Read more about Bobbie and Marylin

Make a difference for pets

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Photos courtesy of Lori Fufaro, Alesha Davidson, Shara Lopossa, Molly Wald, Namitha Kim, Judy Steiger, Randi Schey, Kimberly Lawson and Marylin Sharp

5 Reasons to volunteer at a local animal shelter

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.

1. Your Local SPCA needs Volunteers

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.

2. It is Beneficial for Your Emotional and Mental Health

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.

3. There are Lots of Fun Activities to Do

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

4. Prepare Yourself to Adopt a Pet

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.

5. Open Up New Opportunities

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.

Time to Get Involved

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.

All rights reserved. © 2024 Brandywine Valley SPCA.

MEGA LOVE - EXTENDED!

We are extending Mega Love with $35 adopt fees through Sunday, June 23rd at all BVSPCA adoption locations for large adult dogs (1YO & 40lbs+) and adult cats (6mo+).

• Oct 23, 2020

Why You Should Volunteer at an Animal Rescue

Updated: Oct 24, 2020

Are you looking for a community service project for school credit? Wanting to boost your resume? Do you want to spend time with animals or are considering adopting, but aren't quite ready to make the leap? Perhaps you’re looking to make new friends? We invite you to consider volunteering at BCARL.

Even if you’re only giving a few hours a week of service, your time and effort really makes a huge impact on the animals, workers, and community.

Here are the top 3 reasons why you should consider becoming a volunteer.

It’s Beneficial for You

It’s no secret that spending quality time with animals has numerous health benefits . In fact, many studies have conclusively confirmed that being spending time with animals is good for your emotional, physical, and mental health . Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of bringing home a furry friend. But if you’re unable to have a pet at home, you can still reap many of the same benefits by bonding with the animals at your local rescue facility.

When you volunteer at an animal rescue, you instantly see the results of your labor, which is a reward in and of itself. Studies have linked our work satisfaction to the meaningfulness of our work , and there’s little more satisfying than seeing a fearful, damaged animal made whole and thriving by your love, care, and efforts.

Also, if you’re considering adoption but aren’t yet ready to make the leap, volunteering is a great way to dip your toes in the water.

It’s Beneficial for Animals in Need

BCARL is a non-profit, as are most local animal rescue facilities. This means that we are based entirely on donations (of both time and money). Volunteers are able to fill in the gaps of needed services. Volunteers help to socialize the animals, spend time with them, walk them, and many other important tasks that help keep the facility running.

Of course, many people think working with animals means snuggling puppies all day, and while there are plenty of opportunities for play and bonding time, much of animal welfare involves behind-the-scenes work as well as hands-on interactions and daily animal care. It’s important to be realistic about the nitty gritty of animal volunteerism, because the animals in our care depend on us to provide their needs and to help them move on to their forever family.

When an abused, hurt, or sick animal is surrendered to BCARL, it can be one of the most difficult things about working or volunteering at the facility. But when you volunteer, you have the privilege of watching their wounds heal. And more than that, you become part of their healing process. At BCARL, we watch dogs go from cowering at the back of their kennel to running to the gate with their tail wagging, begging you to take them out to play.

The transformations are always amazing, and knowing you played a part in their recovery is so very, very rewarding.

It’s Beneficial for the Community

By volunteering, you contribute to a cause you care about. So, if you are passionate about saving animals, volunteering at BCARL would be right up your alley. And even more, you create a better community to live in. Volunteering inherently means helping, and it provides the unique opportunity of connecting people in the community with shared values. Volunteering makes a difference in your community because it allows us to make a real difference to the lives of the animals, people, and organization in need. This holistic approach creates a better community for everyone.

When all is said and done, being an animal rescue volunteer at BCARL makes you feel like you are doing a good thing. And we need more good things in the world.

Your work ensures that the health and well-being of animals in your care is improved, so that each animal has the best possible chance of finding a new home.

You are contributing to the solution, which makes you feel good about the work you are doing. If you’re interested in finding out more about our volunteer opportunities, check out our volunteer process !

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Volunteering at animal shelters around the world: a step-by-step guide

How about helping the animal cause while traveling? Find out all about volunteering at animal shelters in the US or abroad.

Rafaela Beatriz https://www.instagram.com/rafabeatrizzz/

Oct 30, 2023

Since the pandemic, more and more people started thinking about different, more conscious ways of traveling. For many, this reflection awakened the desire to live and travel with a greater sense of purpose , making a positive impact in the world.

If you also feel this calling, I invite you to discover a way to travel while helping those in need by volunteering at animal shelters and other projects that rescue and care for animals. Spending time among nature and animals can be invigorating and transformative for you and change these creatures' lives. 

You might also like to read:

• 15 amazing Worldpackers experiences to volunteer with animals
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Organic gardening: a practical guide to a greener home and lifestyle

Why should you consider volunteering at animal shelters.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates there are nearly 200 million stray dogs worldwide and an even higher number of stray cats.

In addition to all the suffering for the animals, abandonment is also a public health issue , as stray dogs and cats can transmit zoonoses such as rabies and leishmaniasis, among other diseases.

We can help animals in several ways: avoiding travel experiences that involve animal abuse; financially with donations; sponsoring a pet; publicizing the work of organizations dedicated to this care; or with our time and dedication, volunteering at animal shelters.

At the volunteer work platform Worldpackers , there are several NGOs and non-profit projects around the world that are dedicated to the protection of  animal rights, including shelters and social projects, all verified by the platform.

The volunteer programs through the platform consist of a collaborative experience where you offer your time and dedication in exchange for accommodation and other benefits.

In this article, you will find what you need to know before looking for volunteer work in animal welfare. I'll also share some of the best animal shelters and animal rights NGOs that are looking for volunteers in many parts of the world..

Where to find opportunities to volunteer at animal shelters

There are many animal shelters and NGOs focused on animal care in the US and abroad, but it's not always easy to volunteer for these organizations. As this is serious and delicate work, these places need to take many precautions when selecting a person to volunteer.

That's where Worldpackers comes in: the platform works as an intermediary between people interested in collaborating and animal shelters and NGOs that need help. On the website, the host can see your profile and reviews, and you can read about the host and the volunteering opportunity.

There are several vacancies available at Worldpackers, with different types of projects in various destinations. You can volunteer for weeks or even months, exchanging your work for accommodation. In some cases, hosts also provide other benefits such as meals, laundry, and tours.

Not to mention the opportunity to experience nature and be in touch with the local community, an experience much deeper from the one you’d have if you just passed through the destination quickly as a typical tourist.

Using the platform's filters, you can view all vacancies in NGOs or select the skill “ Animal care ”. That way you’ll find positions for volunteering at animal shelters and other opportunities to care for animals all over the world. You can also select your preferred destination (continent, country, state or city) and see the positions available there.

And if what you are looking for is volunteering in nature, whether with animals or not, it is also possible to contribute with various types ecological projects , from beach cleaning actions to work with permaculture and bioconstruction or agroecology.

Tips for volunteering at animal shelters

Volunteer work at an animal shelter generally consists of care such as feeding, bathing, walking, cleaning kennels and utensils and participating in the adoption and socialization process.

In addition to volunteering with domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, you can also find projects and sanctuaries focused on caring for wild animals and farm animals.

I’ll give you some super cool examples of volunteer positions to help animals around the world later in this article. But first, let's talk about some important points that you should understand before having an experience of this type.

Keep reading:

• How to find volunteer jobs? Worldpackers can help you
• 15 types of volunteer work and how to choose the right one
• Volunteering for an NGO abroad: your top questions answered

Loving animals is just the beginning

To work or volunteer at animal shelters and similar places, love for animals is a must, of course. But it's not enough. Volunteering with animals require enormous responsibility.

You must be open to learning new skills and prepared to work hard and get your hands dirty. Remember: working with animals involves fur, smells, feathers, noises...

You won't always work directly with the animals

The routine of volunteering at animal shelters can be very diverse. Taking care of animals also involves caring for their space through maintenance, cleaning and gardening, among other tasks.

Producing content for social media and other activities to publicize the project are also possible demands from hosts, as well as administrative tasks.

Remember that the main goal in any volunteer position is to fulfill the needs of the host organization and, in this case, help the animals in need. Your personal preferences should be considered, but they’re not the priority.

Specific tasks vary depending on the host organization’s needs, as you can see on the descriptions at the hosts’ profile pages. 

A typical day as a volunteer may include:

• Socializing with the animals and giving them affection;
• Walking the dogs and train them to walk on a leash;
• Feeding the animals and giving them water;
• Assisting with medical care, as instructed by professionals;
• Cleaning the shelter facilities and property grounds, cleaning the dog kennels, and cleaning your volunteer accommodation and communal areas;
• Hosting tours of the shelter and talking with visitors;
• Producing content for advertising and social media;]
• Helping with administrative tasks.

It is important to believe in the purpose of the organization

Volunteering through Worldpackers, where you get free accommodation, is an option to save money on your trip . However, to work on projects such as animal shelters and NGOs, you need to be aligned with the purposes of the place, so that the work makes sense to you.

Before applying for the position, carefully read the description of that opportunity on the Worldpackers platform and research the organization. It's also worth getting in touch with people who have already been there , which you can do through the platform itself. If you have any questions about the organizations' values and functioning, you can also ask the host.

Previous experience is often not necessary…

In most of the volunteer positions available at Worldpackers, it is not necessary for you to have previous experience working with animals or professional training in the field. You just need to have a desire to help and be open to learning in practice the skills needed for day-to-day activities.

…But responsibility is always a must

Even without experience volunteering with animals, you should take this opportunity very seriously, as we've mentioned before. Don't commit to things you don't feel like you'd be capable of doing.

Working in animal shelters, NGOs and social projects can require psychological preparation , as there may be sick, injured, and traumatized animals, and contact with them requires a lot of care and attention. Always respect the site's procedures and rules, for everyone's safety.

Go beyond volunteering

Knowing the history of the place, the employees and everything that involves the operation of where you chose to volunteer will further enrich your experience, in addition to helping you become a better volunteer.

And even once you’re not volunteering there anymore, you can continue helping in many ways, such as donating or promoting the animal shelter on social media.

5 opportunities for volunteering at animal shelters

Now that you know what it's like to volunteer at an animal shelter, look at these vacancies we've selected for you to start planning your volunteering experience:

1. Texas, USA

The Llama Rescue Foster Farm welcomes travelers who want to make a difference in the lives of llamas or alpacas that have been rescued. You can explore the hill country of Texas in your off hours and the hosts tailor projects to the talents volunteers may have , as there are many tasks to choose from.

Among other things, you can help cleaning or repairing facilities and caring for the animals . In exchange for your volunteer work, you’ll get lodging in a cabin and three vegetarian meals a day. See more information at the host's profile page on Worldpackers.

“The people I met here are lovely, if you are looking for a peaceful place with contact with nature and beautiful, docile llamas, this is the perfect place. You need to treat them well and respect their schedules, animals have a routine, and you need to follow it. I would come back here again!”, said former volunteer Elizete.

2. Amealco, Mexico

Learn about animals, permaculture and eco-living at the Animal Shepherd Farm Sanctuary, a hilltop retreat in the countryside in the magical town of Amealco, Mexico . More than 100 abused and neglected animals rescued from the streets call the place home, living without cages. They need volunteers who love cats and dogs and are comfortable with basic outdoor and farm work.

The tasks might include housekeeping, making compost, animal feeding and cleaning, bio-construction, farm renovation, gardening and forestry, social media management, and decoration, depending on your skills and interests.

On your free time, you can enjoy the close contact with nature . The site is surrounded by woodland where you can catch a glimpse of squirrels, sparrow hawks and glow-worms. You can also stroll down to the village nearby or explore the lively town of Amealco.

Check out the review by former volunteer David, from Australia: “Animal Shephard was an amazing and eye-opening experience , learning about the operations of an animal shelter for dogs and cats. Ryan is environmentally aware and aims to have his farm off grid, so along with taking care of cats and dogs, volunteers are encouraged to contribute/help with environmental projects. Be prepared to get your hands (and body) dirty, so bring outdoor clothes and a good pair of shoes/boots!”.

3. Simabô, Cape Verde

Does living on an island in Cape Verde while taking care of pets sound like a dream to you? At Simabô, an NGO that takes care of abandoned dogs and cats in Mindelo, volunteers are responsible for playing with the animals and taking them for walks . A dream job!

They have paid staff to clean and feed the animals, and your task will be primarily to walk the dogs, play with them, brush and cuddle them and check that they are in good health, especially the puppies. Clear instructions will be provided for accomplishing tasks and volunteers are required to perform them accurately.

"The experience at Simabô was the best thing I’ve done in my life so far. In addition to accomplishing the dream to live in another culture, I was able to do incredible work in a wonderful place with very inspiring people. The choice of the NGO could not have been better. I was very well received and the work itself is enriching", said Worldpackers’ traveler Danielle.

4. Allqo Llaqta, Peru

This stray dog rescue center in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, in Peru, needs help with the daily operation of the rescue center, hosting tours of the shelter for visitors , and working with the local population to raise awareness in dog welfare. Find out more by checking out this animal shelter's page on the Worldpackers platform.

Here’s the testimony of volunteer Alice, who spent time there through Worldpackers: "An incredible experience!! All the volunteers are wonderful, we became a family and shared the tasks easily. The dogs are beautiful, very kind and love to receive affection. We carry out tasks related to caring for the dogs and maintaining the refuge, all as a team. Fabrizio has incredible energy and a lot of love for the dogs, which makes everything easier! A beautiful experience that I highly recommend :)"

5. Pucón, Chile

What about getting to know the charming city of Pucón, in the Lakes Region of Chile, while taking care of friendly horses? Check out this volunteering opportunity with horses at the Kodkod organization.

The tasks to be carried out are defined each week by the hosts, but some recurring activities are cleaning the stables, cleaning and feeding the horses , and accompanying the rides as an assistant.

The place is beautiful, and the experience allows for a lot of contact with nature. As the host’s profile says, their community “has been created to facilitate our positive connections with the environment. We believe that it is important to live not only prioritizing economic aspects in life but looking for the ecological limits of them. Saving the planet is something that begins with the way each of us organizes our own way of life: our jobs, what we eat, or what we value”.

“The place is incredible, I felt great in the middle of nature. The work is very relaxed, and the hours are super flexible (I had to change my day off and Camilo was super understandable)”, said the volunteer Sabrina.

Now that you know how to volunteer in animal shelters around the world, search the Worldpackers platform for positions related to animal care and get ready to make a difference while you have the time of your life . Enjoy!

Join the community!

Create a free Worldpackers account to discover volunteer experiences perfect for you and get access to exclusive travel discounts!

Rafaela Beatriz Miranda De Menezes

https://www.instagram.com/rafabeatrizzz/

Viajante em tempo integral e redatora de conteúdo nas horas vagas, apaixonada por explorar novos lugares e culturas.

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More about this topic

How to support environmental projects around the world through volunteering

Worldpackers

The guide to a farm vacation: unwind, learn and explore, how do worldpackers trips work.

As a member, you can contact as many hosts and travel safely as many times as you want.

Choose your plan to travel with Worldpackers as many times as you like.

Complete your profile, watch the video lessons in the Academy, and earn certificates to stand out to hosts.

Apply to as many positions as you like, and get in contact with our verified hosts.

If a host thinks you’re a good fit for their position, they’ll pre-approve you.

Get your documents and tickets ready for your volunteer trip.

Confirm your trip to enjoy all of the safety of Worldpackers.

Have a transformative experience and make a positive impact on the world.

If anything doesn’t go as planned with a host, count on the WP Safeguard and our highly responsive support team!

After volunteering, you and your host exchange reviews.

With positive reviews, you’ll stand out to hosts and get even more benefits.

Essay on Animal Shelter

Students are often asked to write an essay on Animal Shelter in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Animal Shelter

What is an animal shelter.

An animal shelter is a place where stray, lost, or abandoned animals are kept. They provide a temporary home for these animals. The workers at the shelter feed them, take care of their health, and try to find them a new, loving home.

The Importance of Animal Shelters

Animal shelters play a crucial role in our society. They protect animals that have no home and might be in danger. Shelters help control the population of stray animals. They also work to find these animals a caring family where they can live happily.

Adoption from Animal Shelters

Adopting a pet from an animal shelter can be a rewarding experience. It gives a new life to the animal and brings joy to the adopter. Adoption also helps the shelter to make room for more animals in need.

Volunteering at Animal Shelters

People can help animal shelters in many ways. One way is by volunteering. Volunteers help feed the animals, clean their areas, and sometimes even train them. This work is important and helps the shelter care for all the animals.

Donations to Animal Shelters

250 words essay on animal shelter.

An animal shelter is a place where stray, lost, or abandoned animals are kept. These places provide a temporary home for animals that don’t have one. They get food, water, a safe place to sleep, and lots of love from the people who work there.

Why are Animal Shelters Important?

Animal shelters are very important for many reasons. The main one is that they help protect animals that are in trouble. They rescue animals that are lost or have been left by their owners. Also, they help to control the number of stray animals on the streets. This is good for both animals and people.

What Happens in an Animal Shelter?

In an animal shelter, animals are taken care of by trained staff. They are given food, medical care, and a safe place to stay. The staff also tries to find new homes for these animals. This is called adoption. People who want to have a pet can come to the shelter and adopt an animal.

How Can We Help Animal Shelters?

We can help animal shelters in many ways. We can donate money or items like food and blankets. We can also volunteer our time to help take care of the animals. The most important way is by adopting a pet from a shelter instead of buying one. This way, we give a home to an animal that really needs it.

In conclusion, animal shelters are very important. They help animals in need and also help our communities. We can all do our part to support them and make sure they can continue their good work.

500 Words Essay on Animal Shelter

The purpose of animal shelters.

The main goal of an animal shelter is to provide a temporary home for animals who don’t have one. They help protect animals from dangers on the streets like accidents, harsh weather, or bad people. Shelters also help control the population of stray animals. They do this by neutering or spaying the animals, which means they can’t have babies. This is important because there are already too many homeless animals in the world.

One of the best things about animal shelters is that they let people adopt pets. This means taking a pet home to become part of your family. Shelters have many different types of animals, so you can choose the one that fits best with your family. Adopting a pet from a shelter is a great thing to do because it gives a home to an animal that really needs one. It also makes room in the shelter for another animal that needs help.

Another way to help animal shelters is by giving donations. This could be money, food, blankets, toys, or other things that the shelter needs. Donations help the shelter keep running and provide for the animals. Even a small donation can make a big difference.

Animal shelters play a very important role in our society. They provide a safe haven for homeless animals, help control the animal population, and offer an opportunity for people to adopt a new family member. By volunteering or making a donation, you can support these shelters and contribute to a great cause. Remember, every animal deserves a safe, loving home, and animal shelters are a big step in making that happen.

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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5 Reasons Why Volunteering at an Animal Shelter Is Good for the Soul

• March 12, 2020

Are you looking for something productive to do in your spare time? Or perhaps, you simply want to be around animals but can’t commit to adopting or fostering? If so, then volunteering at your local animal shelter is an excellent option!

Offering your time to help out at an animal shelter is more than just cleaning up or taking dogs out for walks. It’s an amazing—if not, life-changing—experience that’s not only educational, but also spiritually-nurturing. That may sound a little cheesy, but it’s true! Believe it or not, but volunteering at an animal shelter is good for the soul and here are 5 reasons why:

1. It gives you a sense of belongingness.

If you have a heart for animals, volunteering at an animal shelter is a great way to connect and build relationships with people that are just as passionate as you. You’ll be able to learn from them and harness the skills that would make you more efficient in doing what you love the most.

And, the next time you come across a stray you want to rescue, you’ll have a support group that’ll be willing to help you and lend you the resources you need to be able to do so.

2. It helps you relieve stress.

Spending time with animals is one of the best ways to de-stress—whether after work, school, or even during a difficult time. It’s also scientifically proven to help with depression and anxiety, as well as lower blood pressure.

According to AnimalSmart.com , playing with animals triggers the release of oxytocin or the “love hormone”, which promotes a feeling of calmness and reduces stress—lowering blood pressure in the process. Pretty incredible, right?

3. It paves the way to self-discovery.

Like we mentioned earlier, volunteering at an animal shelter doesn’t just involve cleaning and walking dogs. You’ll be exposed to different kinds of tasks and responsibilities, and undergo training on things that you’ve never done before.

With that being said, it will not only provide you with ample opportunities for growth and self-improvement, but also a chance to discover what you’re good at and what you want to be doing for the rest of your life.

4. It makes you a better person.

Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in our own lives and problems that we fail to notice what’s going on around us. We busy ourselves with work, spending time with friends, and scrolling through our Facebook timeline, unaware of the issues that our society is facing.

When you volunteer at an animal shelter, you’ll learn to see the world differently. Seeing how many animals are being dumped, abused, abandoned, and unjustly euthanized each day; looking into the eyes of a broken animal—it’s a real eye-opener.

Millions of animals are suffering and we’re the only ones that can make their lives better. Being aware of that will move you to start making a difference and help you make better life choices; ones that will not only benefit you, but all living, breathing creatures.

5. You become an inspiration to others.

Once you decide to get involved with an animal shelter, there’s a good chance that you’ll inspire people in your life, perhaps, even in the community, to do so, as well. Maybe one of your friends end up becoming a foster, or a family member decides to become a volunteer trainer. Imagine the difference that would make for the shelter! And it would all be because you decided to take the leap into volunteering.

What do YOU love the most about volunteering at an animal shelter?

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7 Benefits of Animal Volunteering for a Fulfilling Connection with Nature

• 21 May 2021

Hadiya Khan

• Volunteering

Volunteering in general allows people to be more in touch with their natural environment and also partake in a rewarding experience which is fulfilling on many different levels. The stress of the ongoing pandemic has encouraged many all around the world to utilise their time for animal volunteering. Here are 7 reasons why you would benefit by animal volunteering!

• Animal volunteering can be therapeutic!

If you have had any previous experiences with animals, you probably understand how calming interactions with an animal can be. Psychologist Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps explains that spending time with animals can be stress-relieving on a physical and mental level. As a result, being physically around animals can improve our immunity functions, decrease heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as pain. Similarly, it can mentally help in decreasing loneliness and anxiety, and also increase happiness and emotional well-being.

Just like humans, every animal’s personality is unique. As a result, animal volunteering will allow you to learn how to cater to each being depending on their distinctive personality. You may have to use different words or gestures to best provide support and training for the animals. And believe me this is no easy task! This will allow you to grow patience, which will be useful not only with animals but people around you as well.

3. Animals are great companions

Animals are loving and loyal creatures. They are capable of creating emotional bonds and long-lasting friendships. With an animal around you will never be anything short of entertained.  You will also discover a little companion who will always be by your side. Therefore, they can be your lifelong buddy if given the opportunity for such connection!

4. The feeling of fulfilment

Just as animals have personalities like us humans, they also get stressed like us. Spending time with dogs in a shelter can marginally reduce kennel stress. As mentioned earlier, every animal is unique. Some dogs have a difficult time adjusting to the environment in the kennel. They portray anxious habits such as reduction in appetite, hiding, aggression. Helping a cute little pup out of his stress with positive activities like dog-walking, will give you a sense of fulfilment like no other!

While choosing where you want to volunteer you must consider the type of interaction you will have with the animals. This post mainly addresses interactions one would have with animals in a shelter or sanctuary. These animals are rescued and treated to be adopted by loving people or to live out their years within the sanctuary. Contrastingly, rehabilitation centres for wildlife rescues aim to keep human interaction to a minimal. Fear of humans is an imperative survival trait and regular human interaction may decrease this instinct, hence, putting them at risk when returning to nature. While you may not be in close contact with animals within a rehabilitation centre, you can still experience new and exotic places which have a lot to offer!

5. Helping an animal in need

As much as many of us love animals, it’s not possible for us to house them all. Therefore, to protect these animals they are kept in shelters with many others, resulting in them being deprived of the individual affection they would receive in a loving home. Volunteering can help such animals receive the attention they need and help them feel happier and loved.

Adjusting to the new norms due to the pandemic has been mentally draining for people of all backgrounds. Therefore, being around animals may help you feel more at peace with the ongoing situation. For example, many people have started giving opportunities like horse-riding for special needs kids and adults which can allow you to feel at par with nature.

7. Helps develop future career skills

Volunteering can give you the opportunity to develop hands-on skills and gain real life experience with animals. It provides an insight on the administrative tasks that are occurring behind the scenes of an animal rescue centre or sanctuary. Furthermore, it may aid you in determining if this is the field you would like the direction of your career heading towards. Who knows? Maybe working in an elephant sanctuary led to a newfound love for animals that opened your eyes to an impactful and interesting career path!

If you are interested in pursuing animal volunteering, do research shelters within your vicinity. Make sure that they consider the ethics of volunteering and treat their animals with the kindness and respect they deserve! Here are some ethical volunteering opportunities you might be interested in!

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