How to Become a Volunteer at a Shelter

The experience is fascinating and helpful, especially for animal lovers. You get to experience difficult situations firsthand, but you also discover the sweeter and more loving side of our nature. relationship with dogs and catsAnyone who truly has a soft spot for dogs should, sooner or later, give a few hours of their time to volunteer at a dog shelter.

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HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER IN A DOG KENNEL

Volunteering at a shelter shouldn't be intimidating. You'll surely find someone willing to teach you the basic rules and methods of this activity. The important thing is to know that despite the approximately 80 dogs registered in Italian shelters and kennels, these facilities suffer from a lack of funding and staff. And the animals themselves pay the price. Furthermore, this is an opportunity to learn firsthand how to care for a dog, based on their needs and not just our own desires.

The important thing is to be of age, with no criminal record, be adaptable, and, of course, love animals. Especially dogs. To become a volunteer in a dog shelter It's important to be prepared to take on any type of task. Washing and cleaning kennels, kennels, litter boxes, and pens. Being available to walk the dogs, as well as performing some administrative tasks that are always needed in these facilities.

You don't have a dog or cat at home, but you love animals dearly? Do you want to spend a few hours of your time helping those in need? There are several opportunities to volunteer at a public or private animal shelter, where new energy is always needed.

There are numerous organizations throughout Italy willing to welcome people willing to lend a hand and spend a few hours of their free time feeding and cleaning abandoned dogs.

ENPA extension

Among these is ENPA – National Animal Protection Agency , which, through its offices throughout the country, cares for animals in need, handles adoptions, and promotes awareness campaigns and activities on the rights of our four-legged friends.

There are no specific requirements to become an ENPA volunteer, other than being at least 18 years old and willing to work as part of a team. Volunteers also undergo a specific training course. In addition to assisting at the various shelters, volunteers can also work as operators, managing the switchboard, providing telephone consultations, and rescuing injured animals. They can also work as assistants, working closely with veterinarians at the clinics. They can also work as promoters, conducting awareness-raising activities at demonstrations and information events.

To find the ENPA office closest to you, click here : you will find a list of all the Italian cities where the association is present and useful contacts.

NATIONAL DOG LEAGUE

The National League for the Defense of the Dog also cares for animals in need, abandoned, and abused. And here too, the requirements to volunteer are: a good dose of availability and a deep love for animals.

To find the location closest to you and get all the information you need, click here.

To find out which kennels are closest to where you live and where they are located, you can also contact your municipality or ask the veterinary offices of your local health authority.

DOG'S LIFE ONLUS

In Arese, in the province of Milan, you can also find the Vita da cani Onlus association , which offers everyone the opportunity to volunteer at the kennels in Arese, Magnago, and Brescia. These shelters provide care not only for abandoned dogs but also for the goats , cows, and pigs that roam freely in the open spaces.

BALZOO ASSOCIATION

Another opportunity not to be missed is offered by Balzoo – Banco italiano zoologico Onlus, which provides assistance to abandoned animals and more: the organization also offers help and support to people in financial difficulty who unfortunately cannot afford to support their pets . This prevents animals from being abandoned: in many cases, these are elderly people whose pensions are too limited to make ends meet, and who find in their dog or cat a true friend and companionship that helps them combat loneliness and all the risks it entails.

You can help the association by donating meals for the animals or a few hours of your free time.

WHAT DOES A VOLUNTEER DO IN A DOG KENNEL?

What are the duties of a volunteer at a shelter? What exactly do they do? The approach is gradual, also to allow those approaching such a complex world to acquire the necessary experience as they go along. We start with cleaning activities: kennel, playpen, litter box. All items to be kept in order, every day. Then we move on to administer meals, an activity already considered more delicate than the previous one. And still to walks, when the dog is entrusted completely to the care of the volunteer.

The volunteer of an association that takes care of keeping and caring for pets He may also be engaged in tasks other than those that involve direct contact with the dog or cat. For example: raise funds for the association which represents itself, collect donations (including meals and objects), carry out telephone consultations, bring food to the cat colonies, engage in campaigns against the stray dogs.

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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU MEET AN ABANDONED DOG

Over 150 dogs and cats are abandoned on the streets. It's a brutal act of violence, but one we must deal with. What should we do when we encounter an abandoned dog or cat? How can we help? There are several numbers to call, including the Carabinieri and the Police. You can also contact one of the associations that fight stray animals or the nearest municipal animal shelter. Finally, the most beautiful gesture: adopting the dog. You don't need to ask anyone's permission.

THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO CARE FOR ABANDONED ANIMALS:

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