How do you become a volunteer at the animal refuge?

One of the most noble forms of homeless animals is volunteering in a refuge for them. Discover who can become volunteer, how to become a volunteer in a refuge and what it means.

It is in human nature to help – those who love animals often want to offer something of themselves to those in the most difficult situation – the homeless. There are probably various reasons why someone wants to become a volunteer, but we suggest how to make this idea a reality.

I want to become a volunteer in a refuge – how can I do it?

The decision was made: we want to help in the refuge. Where to start? By choosing the refuge, we want to help. This is important, because practically each refuge has its regulations and the candidates’ recruitment system. Volunteers are often an important pillar of the refuge activity, which is why it is often a fairly large organization – with their own managers structure, divided into groups that deal with different tasks, often with a program and a wide range of responsibilities.

Therefore, once the right refuge is found, you will usually find a card on the site with the contact details of the voluntary coordinator and detailed information.

How old can you be a volunteer? The most common limit established in the regulations is 18 years. This has a great responsibility – therefore minors can help in some cases, but usually in limited extent.

Volunteering is hard work: it’s not just the dog’s walk!

Before deciding to register as a volunteer, it is important to familiarize yourself with homework pending volunteers. Depending on the refuge, the list of tasks may vary considerably – from walking and playing with cats, to social work of animals, clean the cages, feed animals, help organize adoptions and help organize, for example, open gates or media animals and social media.

Many of the shelters require a declaration with which the volunteer declares that the availability for a certain number of hours a week and the signature of a contract will be available for several months.

Since this is unpaid work, the requirements for volunteers can be truly enormous. It is worth familiar with them to undertake this beautiful act in full knowledge.

How to write a letter of intent for volunteering in the refuge?

Do you love dogs and cats and so do you want to help? This is obvious. This writes everyone, so only this is not enough to be selected as a volunteer. So what is it always better to include in such a letter? In addition to the authentic personal reasons (honesty always has a price), you deserve to demonstrate that you are fully aware of the enormous volume of work waiting for a volunteer and describe how you really want to make yourself useful. Just like when any other job is required. Do not be fooled by the fact that volunteering is not usually not paid – usually there are so many candidates that the recruitment process is not very different from the selection of candidates in a job. Therefore, it is worth highlighting your strengths and treatment of participation in recruitment as a serious challenge.

Recruiters often fight with candidates who don’t know what they commit themselves. Therefore, reading the terms and conditions carefully and any information on the site is a necessity.

What are the advantages of being volunteers?

Volunteering is hard work: this should be emphasized again. The fate of the animals is often on the shoulders of the volunteers, without them many shelters would not survive. Because, usually, more people are needed to take care of animals in the shelters compared to the refuge staff – and there must always be a limited number of these people, due to cost -related constraints. Hence the free help of the volunteers. Therefore, the financial benefits are generally excluded.

So it’s worth it? For people who are sensitive to animal welfare – for sure! There are values ​​that cannot be converted into cash: time, commitment and energy are often the most beautiful gifts. Instead, you can receive something more than money: a feeling of realization, help, do good. And if this adds the belief that the good return with a red force: volunteering becomes the perfect tool to obtain a happy life.

But that’s not all! Being a volunteer is also an excellent school of life and an opportunity to acquire unique experiences that can be precious in professional life. Both when candidates for a job and already at work: the sense of responsibility and debt is a precious quality in any field.

Finally, it is worth remembering that volunteering usually brings together special people who share similar qualities and interests – and this is the perfect land to build wonderful friends who last long after the end of volunteering.

Photos sources: Canva.com
Natalia Bąk