The holiday season is upon us, the time of year when we reflect on what we are grateful for and think of ways we can give back. In the dog community, and particularly in dog rescue, there is always a need for resources.
“Resources” arenʼt limited to monetary donations. Animal rescue groups are always in need of donated food and other products, various skills, and volunteer hours. In fact, volunteers are essential to helping these organizations thrive.
Here are a few of the ways you can help out local dogs (and organizations) in need:
Foster Parents
Foster parents provide immediate homes for dogs after their initial rescue. These arenʼt forever caretakers, but are more along the lines of transitional housing until permanent adopters are found. Foster parents play a crucial role in the lives of rescue dogs. Their homes frequently offer the first safe and friendly space the animals have known.
Fosterers also help assess the characteristics of the dogs so they can be placed in suitable homes once they are ready for adoption. Frequently, observations made in foster homes determine if a dog is cat-reactive, well socialized with other dogs, or okay with children. If there are behavior issues, many foster parents are experienced enough to provide training that helps resolve the problems.
Itʼs a pretty simple formula: The more fosterers (and other volunteers) a rescue group can count on, the more dogs they can pull from the shelters.
Be aware that a lot of times when you foster a dog, you share in the responsibility of promoting that dog and finding it the forever home it needs and deserves. Fostering is a critically important part of the dog rescue process, and most people who foster find it to be greatly fulfilling to open up their homes to dogs in need for (usually) short periods of time.
Dog Walkers
Volunteer dog walkers help rescue dogs get the exercise they require. Dogs who donʼt get enough exercise can quickly become destructive, foul-tempered, and therefore less adoptable. These volunteers help reinforce proper on-leash walking and basic manners.
Being a dog walker is the perfect volunteer job for someone who loves dogs but, for whatever reason, canʼt live with one.
Photographers
Photographers help give adoptable dogs the positive exposure they need. Online profiles
have quickly become a successful tool for getting the stories of these dogs out there. Reading statistics about a homeless dog is one thing; actually looking into his or her eyes in a quality photograph can be a much more impactful experience.
Drivers
Some volunteers are drivers who get the dogs to mobile adoption events, grooming salons, or veterinary appointments. Needless to say, drivers must have valid licenses and vehicles suitable for the safe transportation of dogs.
Outreach Volunteers
Outreach folks “chaperone” dogs at adoption events. Typically, a volunteer is assigned to promote a particular dog to potential adopters. These volunteers are intermediaries between the adoption group and the public, fielding basic questions and showcasing the dogʼs positive qualities in an often high-traffic and stressful environment.
Donating Supplies
Donating supplies, as a business owner or individual, benefits rescue groups in a huge way. If youʼve recently lost a beloved four-legged friend and canʼt fathom the thought of bringing a new one into your home, consider donating his or her toys, food and water bowls, leashes and collars, beds, and even opened bags of food. Knowing youʼve helped another dog can help lighten the burden of grief.
You can also donate items that your living dog has outgrown instead of throwing them away. Many organizations are even grateful for gently used baby blankets or towels. No donation is too small and most groups are happy to provide you with a donation receipt for your tax purposes.
Donating Skills and Time
Are you good at designing websites? Are you a certified dog trainer? Would you find fulfillment in cleaning out the stalls and doing other grunt work at a brick-and-mortar shelter location? These are roles that are frequently needed to help sustain rescue groups.
Most groups require some sort of time commitment (such as a certain number of hours each week for a specified number of months). Donʼt feel that committing to a length of time is daunting, though. Since the groups rely on volunteer hours, they will likely be flexible with your schedule and do what they can to accommodate your needs.
Shelters and rescue organizations want to ensure that volunteering with them is a positive experience for you. The more volunteers they are able to retain, the stronger they will become and the more dogs they can successfully place in forever homes.
Still not sure what kind of volunteer work is right for you? Call or visit a rescue group in your community and see what their current needs are.
Keep in mind that you can get the kids involved. Volunteering is something the whole family can do together, having plenty of fun in the process.
Chances are you will love the experience, the organization will deeply appreciate your involvement, and the lives of many dogs will improve because of the volunteer work that you do.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, SFDogDad Ian Murphy lives in San Francisco and shares his days with his co-pilot, Phoenix. From hikes in McLaren Park to dog socials at El Rio, they enjoy staying active and exploring the dog-friendly city they are lucky to call home.
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