Reading to cats, walking dogs: Ways to help

PHOENIX >>While your local pound works to find forever homes for many cats, dogs and other animals, volunteering is an easy way to improve their lives while they wait.

Becoming a volunteer generally starts with an application. You can choose the kinds of activities that interest you, whether that’s walking dogs, cleaning kennels, reading to cats or creating social-media posts, to name just some of the options. There might be a short informational session or, for specific skills, some hours of on-site training.

Many shelters ask volunteers to commit a certain number of hours per month, but say even the smallest act is appreciated.

“A successful volunteer is someone who loves animals and appreciates the fact that no matter what they do, how small their role might seem, it has a huge impact on the pets here at the shelter,” says Callista Pearson, marketing and development manager for Salt Lake County Animal Services, in Utah.

“Someone who is just really open to not being intimidated by a pet that doesn’t immediately warm up to them, but who is willing to give it time and a little bit of love,” she says. “And that kind of friendship and trust can roll over into that pet being adopted and having a better relationship with its new owners.”

Five ways to volunteer:

ENRICHMENT

Shelters are boring for animals. There’s lots of noise but little to do. Enrichment activities to keep them occupied include making and delivering food-puzzle toys, reading to them, sitting and petting them, or taking them on walks.

Volunteer dog walkers will probably be trained in leashing dogs, getting them in and out of their kennels, and managing them around other dogs. Often, volunteers start with easy, smaller dogs and after some experience walk stronger dogs.

At Maricopa County Animal Care in Phoenix, volunteers with the Petite Pet Project simply sit in a room with dogs and give them small treats and toys, letting the dogs socialize at their own pace.

“I love seeing them learn it’s OK to come out,” says volunteer Julie Jo Hughes. “The socialization of the dogs, getting them used to touch — it’s kind of like dog therapy. You’re committed to helping the dogs find their best self.”

Cats might need help getting acclimated to a shelter so they won’t be nervous when potential adopters come by. Just by checking in on and petting cats, volunteers can help them learn to be calm during interaction with humans.

“The more comfortable a cat is with a person approaching the cage and putting their hand in there, the more likely they are to get adopted,” said Katy Hansen with the Animal Care Centers of New York City.

FOSTER

Fostering an animal can be great for someone who loves having a pet in the house but can’t guarantee a forever home. Fostering programs vary, but usually start with a conversation with a coordinator about what level of involvement and time commitment you’re willing to make. Fosters can take a dog for the afternoon, the weekend, or until they are adopted.

Pearson says the Salt Lake City shelter houses around 9,000 animals a year, and the constant noise and activity can be stressful for dogs. Having a quiet home to escape to

MICHELLE A. MONROE - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS In this Sept. 21 photo, Beth Elder, a volunteer at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, takes care of Fiona at the shelter in Phoenix, Ariz. There are many ways to volunteer at an animal shelter to improve the lives of the animals waiting there for a forever home.