volunteer

[Beth Hamilton]

I use to be a dog trainer and have signed up to volunteer at 3 shelters in my area and not one has ever wanted me. They say they have enough or they never call. I even volunteer to give free lessons to anyone that adopts a pet from the shelter and still nothing. What am I doing wrong? It is not that I want anything, even just to be able to walk and socialize the dogs, bath them, feed them, play with them, what ever they want.

[Diane Wilkerson]

How unfortunate! Most shelters welcome volunteers with such a wonderful background. Have you been able to find a contact person that you can speak with directly?

[Carmen]

I am a manager at a humane society in Northeast PA. I try to prevent this type of thing happening at our shelter. If a time comes where we have enough volunteers that week or volunteers feel that are not wanted or needed, I offer other things for them to do such as; volunteer at public events we have through out the year or post flyers about upcoming events in their area. There are several things volunteers can do to help give shelter animals exposure.
Carmen
BCHS, Ulster PA

[Beth Hamilton]

I would do anything to help but they always seem to say no. Do you know who I should talk to? I always talk to the people at the desk and get the same answers, fill in the application and someone will call you if they are interested.

[Beth Hamilton]

Carmen,
You have to have some insight and or contact that you can tell about this. As you see from the replies there are many of us out here. Is there anyone you can forward this to or call or something? We all want to give our time but no one wants it.

[Ann Andersen]

How sad. I have worked in a shelter years ago. I Loved my volunteers. They had the time for the love the animals really needed.

[PJ]

I have also made several attempts to volunteer. I live in a rather large city and there are numerous shelters. I had a devastating experience a couple of years ago and I am trying hard to turn that grief into something good. I have no experience except the trapping of 60 feral cats for TNR and what I then learned thru MANY hours of research. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty.
I do work during the day but I cannot believe no one needs someone evenings/weekends. It's really discouraging and rather maddening. Does not shed a good light on shelters that scream for volunteers.
I am "happy" to learn I am not alone.

[Beth Hamilton]

It makes me crazy to know that this is not just an isolated incident. What is wrong with our shelters, they scream for help and when we offer they refuse. I also donate food, toys, treats and such every other week. I figured that if they don't want my help they will take the items. I have a big heart for the animals in the shelters and I want for them to be adopted as soon as possible, this is the reason for my wanting to help. If anyone out there has any ideas of what we need to do to make these shelters open their eyes and see how many of us out here there are please let me know.

[bonnie Crouch]

Yes, I agree, I have sent 3 times an application to Jack Russell Rescue. They say they need help, they "NEED" foster homes... Ok, so I fill everything out, and i even check up on my applications, and get nothing.. Why is this. Like you all have said, THEY ask for help, THEY need us, but when we arrive, with open arms, THEY shut the door. I don't understand,, What were not on "INCROWD" list or something likein school. You want my money though.. We don't mind, walking em, playing em, getting dirty.. So what is thier problem actually?

[Beth Hamilton]

Bonnie,
I wish I knew, someone out there has to have some contact inside that can maybe shed some light on this for us. Please they cry about the animals finding homes, they always want our money, but to try and do good for the dogs and walk, play or bath them they don't want us. It is getting me very angry to here this is every where. We have to do something! I don't know where to start PLEASE SOMEONE HELP

[PJ]

I did not know it was such a common thing. I really thought because I have to work days that was the reason - even though kitties are night "people". I do not mind getting dirty and say so on my app. I would think all they want is the money yet I know people do volunteer.
Funny - the only people I see continually responding to this are people who want to volunteer.

[linda65355]

I also wrote to a few places and either i never heard back or they said they didnt need me . my question is plain and simple , what is the real reason . why is it that everyone askes for donations but no one really cares about what happens with these dogs . I almost do not want to work with these people that do not give me the time of the day because , they do not seem to be there for the animals , they are there for the job . Honestly in my real world , i wouldnt be friends with people who do not like dogs , i think they have a piece of their heart missing. True dog lovers are good people , and they wouldnt send the cold hearted rejection emails back to people who want to help . i dont get it , someone explain ..

[Courtney]

I wish that i could volunteer i have wanted to volunteer for the longest time too,but my mom wont let me,she refuses to drive me,i have only been able to volunteer once b4 and that was withe kid that i used to babysit,anmd his mom. We volunteered for Cara to help adopt out their dogs for a day.♥♥♥