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Our Finest
Trait
Our desire to help is one of our finest
traits. Personally, I believe it is our purpose to help those
in need. But what can you do? You're already busy with
work or family or school or any number of activities. And you
don't have an endless amount of money to give away, even if you
wanted to. Or you're too young to have a job and many
volunteer groups only accept adults. The good news is that
everyone can help. And every contribution makes a difference.
For example, I volunteer at the local animal shelter.
Because I wanted to help, I had free time, I love animals, and the
shelter was understaffed. Seemed like the perfect match.
I've been volunteering with the shelter over 10 years and have had
many people tell me that it must be nice for me to have the time to
do what I do. Yes, that's true. But that doesn't mean
they can't help, too. Buy us a bag of kitty litter the next
time you go for groceries. It's $2.57 for a 25 pound
bag. Our kitties don't care if it's the cheap stuff.
When you gotta go, you gotta go. Can you imagine if every
family bought one bag of kitty litter just once a month? Our
kitties would never need for a clean box! Or collect your old
towels that are ready for the rag box. We can use those to
make a comfy bed, especially nice in the colder months. There
are plenty of items always in need at the shelter. Call and
ask what's in need. It may be something that you were about to
throw away.
If you can help at the shelter, just a couple
hours a month is helpful. What do some volunteers do at the
shelter? Walk dogs or take them to the play yard for some much
needed exercise. Help the visitors by showing them the
adoptable pets and explaining the adoption procedure. Calm a
frightened pup so that he'll become more adoptable to the next
family that looks at him. Take pictures so we can put them
on-line and let more people know who's looking for a new home.
Join us when we take pets to adoption events throughout the
community, and help us change the minds of people who haven't
considered coming to the shelter to adopt a new friend.
Do
you think it'll make you sad to see the pets in cages and kennels?
You can help without ever visiting the shelter. Have an
information table at local events telling the public about adoptable
pets at the shelter, our volunteer opportunities, and collect
supplies or money to help us purchase items that the shelter needs.
Become a foster home for puppies and kittens that are too
young to be adopted. Fostering provides a temporary home until
the pets are older. Save up to spay or neuter the stray in
your neighborhood. Or help a friend or neighbor get their pet
"fixed."
There's a lot to be done, but that's why there's so
many of us. Find your passion, then find a way to
help.
Barbara Pursley
President
Parker Paws
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