HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED IN HELPING ANIMALS?

When people find out that I volunteer at an animal shelter, or that my mommy and daddy volunteer at an animal shelter, we get asked "How can I get involved?"

There are so many ways to help... both live and "virtually" that if you have a desire to help, you should be able to find the right way to do so!

I go to SAVE - the shelter that took care of me until I found Mommy and Daddy - and I do "playgroups."  Daddy goes with me, and we play with dogs in the yard. This helps socialize the dogs, and gives them time to play... not just go on walks. (Daddy says that "socialize" means that we are helping them learn how to play with each other, and how to get along with other dogs.)

If you have time to walk dogs, most shelters have volunteer opportunities where you can walk a dog.... it's a huge help to the staff as you are getting the dogs out for exercise and to go to the bathroom, and you are again - socializing the dogs.

Do you have a specific skill? For instance, my mommy runs the FaceBook page for SAVE.  Do you have the ability to network and get online?  Facebook and other social media is a good way to get the word out, and to help show pictures of animals looking for homes.  Are you a web designer? Shelters can use help designing websites.

Are you good at networking and encouraging donations? See if your local shelter needs help with fundraising.

Ask what your local shelter needs, and "fundraise" that item.  Last week my friends at SAVE said they needed towels.... I told all my friends about it, and they sent towels to the shelter.

I guess what I am saying is that if you like animals, and you want to help... call your local shelter and ask what they might need.  It's a place to start!! And there are PLENTY of shelters that need your help! Both me and Lily came from animal shelters... and we both learned a lot from the people that volunteered there and spent time with us!
Wet kisses!

Frankie