Today is Giving Tuesday, a worldwide initiative dedicated to giving back.  With so many animal shelters, rescues, and other pet related nonprofits vying for your support, it can be overwhelming.  However, Giving Tuesday is more than just about financial support, it is also about sharing your time and talents.  There are other ways to give back today and every day that will help animals in need this holiday season.  The daily operation of animal shelters, pet food pantries and pets for vets programs require a lot of work, and they depend heavily on volunteers to help care for the dogs, cats, and small animals in need of a forever home.  This is a busy time of year for these volunteers, and the extra support for their organizations would be greatly appreciated.  Here is just a sampling of the many ways in which you can volunteer to help:

• Animal Socialization: Dog walker, Obedience training, Cat socialization, Spending time with small animals
• Caring for Animals: Feeding, Filling water bowls, Cleaning crates, Grooming
• Shelter Maintenance: Scooping poop, Cleaning litter pans, Washing food bowls, Laundry, Keeping shelter clean and organized, Handyman projects
• Fostering: Special in-home care for animals in need including those that are pregnant, ill, or with behavioral issues; Providing specialized socialization for future service dogs
• Fundraising / Events: Organizing a fundraiser, Promoting the nonprofit at events, Answering questions, Manning tables, Handling animals at adoption events
• Administration: Answering phones, Responding to emails, Data entry, Filing, Assisting with mailings, Assembling adoption and information packets
• Outreach: Maintaining and updating social media presence on an organization’s website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram; Spreading the word about organizations that you support
• Education: Going to schools, troops and youth groups to educate children on animals and the important work shelters, pet food pantries, and pets for vets programs do; Giving tours of the shelter to groups as requested

There are many volunteer opportunities.  The only requirement is your commitment of time and talents.  So on this Giving Tuesday, please contact your local animal shelter, rescue, or other pet related nonprofit for more information on how you can make a big difference to help brighten the holidays for animals in need.