I spent about two and a half years volunteering at a local shelter. It was the best time and if I didn’t move too far away I would still be spending time volunteering. It is where I met Seamus. That crazy little nugget stole my heart and I was forever smitten.
The work that the volunteer’s do daily is astounding. There is usually a cat group, a dog group, medical staff, and administrative group. Some wear many hats and fit in multiple groups. On any given day we would do laundry, clean cages, cuddle pets, give shots, sort donations, do temperament tests and walk the dogs. The list of tasks are endless but the animals were always the most important thing to all the volunteers. I mean you aren’t there for the money! Yes, some shelter staff get paid but most are doing it for the love of animals.
Either way like the saying goes it takes a village….
So this week I decided to check out a local shelter’s website and see if they listed any items that they needed for donation. This one happened to mention paper towels and plates among other things. Most people donate food so I wanted to go out of the norm since those items are less likely to get donated, but remember every little bit helps.
Remember not all Acts of Kindness have to cost money. You can donate your time too.
Are you considering doing your own Act of Kindness? If not, what is stopping you? Grab a button if you would like to spread the word. The change that we seek in others has to first come from within. This year I hope you decide to Be the Change You Seek.
Ahhh. My heart lies at the shelter. I have a hard time going in because I want to adopt everybody.
It is tough but seeing a lot of them go quick was easier. It is hard to not want them all though. Seeing some though that came in, with a lot of issues and being able to help them was the best feeling ever!
Love it. I have blankets bagged up to go to our local shelter for them to line the cages with.
That is awesome!! Blankets are always welcome. The dogs make beds out of them for comfort and the kitties love them too. We had a bunch in our Adult cat room. They will love them! You rock!
Volunteering is such a wonderful way to give back – especially at an animal shelter where you can see the happiness right on their sweet faces!! I really hope to do some more volunteering this year – and your post just inspired me to check some local things out!
It is such a great way to give back. At the time I was really struggling personally with feelings of purpose and it really made me feel better. Just getting to spend time with animals that are so happy to see you is so uplifting!
You know how much I love animals… this is one of my favorites so far – people forget that they need help, too! 🙂
Thank you! Yes, we both are huge animal lovers. Shelters are always in desperate needs of donations. It takes a lot to run them.
You’re the best! This is probably my favorite act of kindness so far because I’m so sensitive when it comes to animals. I donated a bunch of food to a shelter back home a few years ago. I need to do this again!
Animals really are the best. They always needs items. Whether it is blankets, papertowels, plates, or food the shelters usually have a list on their website for what they need. You may even have some stuff already you can donate.
I don’t know how you resisted having a house full of doggies, I want to take all of them home and love them!!! Love this random act of kindness!
Thank you!! The shelter I was at was a no-kill shelter so I felt better that they would always go to a good home but with Seamus I just knew he was meant to be with me. It is fun too because you get to learn about so many different dogs.
i love this!! we often forget that animal shelters need supplies too.
They are always in need. Most rely so much on their community to help and donate. Every little bit helps.
Love this since animals are near and dear to my heart!!
-Sharon
Thank you! They need all the help they can get!
I love this! “Be the change”. I love it.
Thank you! I have fun doing it.
we could really all do this- i’m sure there are so many shelters that are in need!
Yes!! If you search shelters in your area they usually have a place on their website that tells you what donations they currently need.
I love this! I’ve always wanted to volunteer at an animal shelter! I wish I had the means to foster. I would always have a home full of doggies!!!
If I was home all day i would totally foster dogs. I have always wanted a bunch of dogs. So many cute dogs who need homes.
Awwww sweet Seamus. I love that you do this. If I tried volunteering at a shelter, I’d come home with like 10 Seamus’s though lol. I’d take them all home.
Thank you! I thought it would be harder for me since I want like 12 dogs but knowing they find the right home not just the first person to ask maybe me less attached. Also, it helped me get to know them better before decided which one would be a good fit! 😉
I donate all the time to my local women’s shelter….I really should donate my time but…life…..no excuse I know!
No, I think everyone can contribute in their own way. I think it is awesome of you to donate to the women’s shelter!
Well you know this is my favorite 🙂 We donate things to shelters in honor of Hawkeye’s birthday. She’s less than thrilled by it.
Haha! Does Hawkeye get made you are giving away “her” toys?! I mean they should all be hers. 😉
You are wonderful! This is a great idea and very inspiring. Love it.
Thank you! Shelter volunteers work so hard and do so much, and the need never goes away.
That’s really sweet of you! Seamus is a cutie!
Thank you! It feels good to give back and help others. He is my little baby! 🙂
You have such a heart of gold, Kerry!! This post made me smile and get sad all at the same time. We spoil Brutus to no end, and it makes me so incredibly sad that other dogs don’t receive that kind of love. If I volunteered in a shelter I’m pretty sure I would devise a plan to sneak in during the middle of the night and bring them all home with me <3<3
Thank you so much! Haha! It is hard not to want them all but there are so many good shelters out there trying to find them the best homes, not just any home. Making the pups comfortable and playing so they don’t stress out really helps them get adopted quicker.
Some went really quick and others needed more work. There was a chihuahua that was part of a drug raid and he was shaking so bad, hiding under the dog bed and they had me sit in the cage till he crawled into my lap and it was the best feeling to know at least in that moment he wasn’t afraid anymore. Volunteers really do so much and we got a lot back too in seeing them transform and get loving homes. Win-win!
I can’t believe how much volunteers do at your local shelter! I volunteered at the SPCA in High School, and all I ever did was walk dogs, and play with cats. So nice of you to donate!
Oh Wow! Yeah we did it all. The more senior volunteers did more, like myself but we were all responsible for cleaning their cages, the shelter and laundry. Being able to play with them, and walk them was the best part though.
Aw, this is awesome!!! I would love to donate some time at our shelter. I’m afraid my heart would break though…
If you choose a no-kill shelter knowing that they stay until they get adopted even if it takes months then it makes it easier to volunteer.
This is such a beautiful post! You have a heart of gold!
xx Kait
Thanks! Shelters give so much they need all the help they can get.
What a great thing to do, especially while you were so worried about Seamus this week! I am a huge fan of shelter pets (breeding makes me sad…) and I think your little cutie just proves that there are great animals to be had at them. Keep it up, girl!
Yes it really helped. It was funny how so much was surrounded about animals this week! Haha!
He was the one no-one wanted and look at him now! Total success story!
Ohh so that’s how this cute little furball came into your life! That’s so sweet. Oh how I love animals 🙂
Yes, he was a shelter rescue! They really are the best, and part of the family.
i admit, i’m still pretty scared of animals, but having charlie has warmed me up to them. i think that’s an awesome thing you did! i’m saying a prayer for seamus that he’s ok!
Thank you! Some bigger dogs can be scary but really most are very gentle. Glad Charlie is helping. Seamus got the thumbs up at the vet. Phew!
Volunteering at a pet shelter would be SO fun!! Your pup is quite adorable 😉
It is really fun, plus you get to be around lots of different dogs so it’s like window shopping. 😉 Thank you, I tell him all the time, he is getting quite the ego! 🙂
As soon as I saw the title to this post I was sold on your blog! My dog is a rescue too and it is so amazing the volunteers who give so much of their time and energy to those dogs!
Thank you!! Shelter pups are the best. Volunteering was so important to me and it brought me Seamus.