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1. Volunteer Databases
There are numerous online volunteer databases that list volunteer opportunities of all kinds. Local, regional, national, and international organizations list their current needs for volunteers, interns, and even paid positions. The most popular of these web sites also allow users to search for opportunities based on location, type of work, type of agency or organization, and even have options for those individuals who want to volunteer online only. Places like volunteermatch.org and idealist.org are tremendously popular and have tens of thousands of opportunities and organizations listed. This is a great way to explore the many different types of the animal related volunteer opportunities there are and to find the right fit for you, especially for people with mobility issues, irregular schedules, or who live in rural areas.
2. Animal Shelters
Your local animal shelter may be the best place for you to volunteer, especially if you like working with animals in a hands on capacity. Most shelters typically provide services to dogs and cats but many include other animals as well. Volunteers are often needed to help maintain the cleanliness of facilities, exercise or provide affection for the animals, or help in administrative capacities. If you enjoy working with pets, contact your local animal shelter or ASPCA or visit theshelterpetproject.org to find local shelters that may need your help.
3. Wildlife Rescue Programs
If you are looking for something a little more out of the box, consider volunteering with a wildlife rescue program. There are wildlife refuges in virtually every country around the world and depending on the program you choose, you may have the opportunity to work to protect wildlife at home or abroad. There are numerous programs that provide volunteers the opportunity to travel overseas to work at refuges, game reserves, conservation programs, wildlife sanctuaries, and more. Some of these programs do require payment on behalf of the volunteer in order to cover some of the more costly aspects of the experience such as air fare. But there are other programs available as well – PeaceCorps.org is filled with volunteer opportunities around the globe where volunteers are not responsible for paying their own way. You can also always consider local wildlife refuge programs – you might be surprised at the places that are virtually in your own backyard that work with endangered and/or exotic wildlife.
4. Animal Rescue Teams
Those exotic and endangered animals are not the only ones who need rescuing. Tragically, many animals are abused and neglected all over the world. When responsible citizens suspect the abuse and/or neglect of an animal, whether it is a pet, a farm animal, or any other kind of animal, animal rescue teams are often required to investigate the situation and remove the animals if the allegations are confirmed. Animals that have been abused or neglected often face tremendous challenges both during the rescue as well as after. Veterinarians and their assistants, along with laypeople who volunteer with the animal rescue teams, come face to face with animals in deplorable conditions, some of whom are close to death and others who likely wish they were. Animal rescue teams are deployed throughout the country on any given day, so you’re able to volunteer in your area if you so choose. Working on a rescue team is one of the most emotionally demanding animal volunteer opportunities available but the opportunity to see a pet you have rescued become healthy and whole again provides a tremendous payoff.
5. Search and Rescue Teams
While animal rescue teams help save animals, search and rescue teams use animals to help save people. Training in handling of dog who can help locate injured individuals (or the bodies of those who have unfortunately passed away) is an emotionally and physically demanding position. Rescue dogs have to be trained appropriately and thoroughly but also have to have the desire to do the work they do. Both rescue dogs and their handlers tend to face physically and emotionally exhausting hurdles in order to help save others. While the use of these animals for large scale operations such as 9/11, the reality is that search and rescue animals are used frequently in everyday life. When someone goes missing or a child is lost, a search and rescue dog may be the best chance to find, and even save, them. Check out the National Search Dog Alliance at n-sda.org for more information on getting started in this unique volunteer opportunity.
photo credit: John Ashburne via photopin cc