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 a bit overwhelming.  We’d love to donate to all of them, but we can’t.  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 homeless dogs and cats waiting for their forever home this Holiday season.  The daily operation of animal shelters 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.  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
• Fundraising / Events: Promoting the shelter, Answering questions, Maning tables, Handling animals at adoption events
• Administration: Answering phones, Data entry, Filing, Assisting with mailings, Assembling adoption packets
• Education: Going to schools, troops and youth groups to educate children on animals and the important work shelters do; Giving tours of the shelter to groups as requested

There are many volunteer opportunities, the only requirement is your commitment.  Most animal shelters hold volunteer orientation sessions on a regular basis.  So on this Giving Tuesday, please contact your local shelter for more information on how you can make a big difference to help brighten the Holidays for animals in need.