Exploring the Different Types of Volunteering with Animals

Why Volunteering With Animals Matters

Volunteering with animals is important for the animals, of course, but it also has major perks for the volunteers! From allowing you the therapeutic help animals offer to get to feel pride and joy in your actions, knowing you're doing the right thing, you'll find something that speaks to you.

Why Volunteering With Animals Matter

​Volunteering with animals is important for the animals, of course, but it also has major perks for the volunteers! From allowing you the therapeutic help animals offer to get to feel pride and joy in your actions, knowing you're doing the right thing, you'll find something that speaks to you.
 
Volunteering with animals also helps people stick to a schedule better if they're struggling and gives us social interaction with other volunteers. The act of volunteering is as much for ourselves as it is for the animals we care for.

Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation

Animal rescue and rehabilitation can come in many different styles. This could mean that you help a program that rehabilitates squirrels and other wildlife that gets harmed from lawn care, or it could mean you save and rehabilitate pets that have been through tragedy. 
 
Talk to great organizations, like the El Paso Animal Shelter, and ask what programs they know of. If they can't lead you directly to what you want, they can give you websites and groups that will!

​Veterinarian Shadowing
Veterinarians are some of the most dedicated animal carers in the world. Not only do they help animals overcome illness and regain health, but they also work with owners to create better diets and lifestyles that allow animals to live a life they can truly enjoy. 
 
Veterinary shadowing programs allow you to help and learn on the job. You get to help animals heal and move past injury while also getting to connect with people in your community. This is one of a kind.

Animal Sanctuary Volunteering
Animal sanctuaries are awesome facilities that give animals a chance to heal and recover, protecting them for the rest of their lives. They don't seek out new homes for these animals or try to introduce them back to the wild and instead work to create a safe and comfortable place for them to relax and enjoy life.
 
Animal sanctuaries need help with everything from management to cleaning pens and creating meals for the different species they house. This is an awesome place to start if you want to experience a large array of animals.

Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife conservation is a big deal as the natural resources they need to live off of become further depleted every year. As we build more housing for ourselves, we encroach on the land that would usually offer food, shelter, and relaxation for animals. This, in turn, makes our lawns and homes more enticing to them.
 
Wildlife conservation works to save wildlife and the places they live while educating people on the importance of the natural world. Although this can be overwhelming if you've never worked with nature before, it's an awesome way to educate yourself and others around you.

Animal Shelter Volunteering

​Animal shelters have been seeing a lot of roller coasting through pandemic adoptions, people dropping animals off once they get jobs, and then people desperately seeking animals again once their income levels increase.
 
A high-quality animal shelter works with animals to help them get over the trauma of bouncing between families and works to ensure the people who adopt are those who can care for an animal for the long term.
 
Advocacy Work
Animals can't speak for themselves! They can't speak human languages, so it's our job to speak for them and give them a seat at the metaphorical table. Advocacy work could range from doing talks about how to avoid getting bears in your yard to teaching people what to do if they find an injured or lost pet or animal. 
 
Advocacy means working with shelters, wildlife conservation, vets, and so much more to create a better place for animals regardless of whether or not they're pets. This is more than just public speaking; some take to social media and have created followings that educate about conservation and animals.

Tips for Those New to Animal Volunteer Work

If you're new to animal volunteering, it's vital to know from the get-go that this isn't just a chance to pet cute animals. Animal volunteering requires you to study the creatures you work with and understand the importance of clear communication with human beings. 
 
Remember that all animals are different, and take your time to get to know them: don't assume anything about an animal based on its species or breed. Over time you'll perfect your ability to read and communicate with these animals!

Every Animal Deserves Dignity and Care
Whether you're interested in volunteering because you want to give back to your community or because you want to spend more time with animals, there's nothing better than working with these amazing creatures. Consider one of these types of volunteering, and reach out to Sara Sanctuary about ways you can join in this awesome cause!