“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” – Margaret Mead
There are many different and worthwhile organizations that assist animals in need around the world.
All of the organizations mentioned in our guide work tirelessly to help animals in need. To achieve their aims, they rely on voluntary help. Some welcome volunteers who can only spare a few hours for tasks such as walking dogs for a day or two during their holiday abroad. Other organizations prefer a longer-term commitment to a specific project – this type of volunteering may appeal more to those on a gap year.
Whatever your skills or amount of time you have available to offer, there are many animals who will benefit greatly from your offer of volunteering. The opportunities in this guide are exciting and diverse. They include; monitoring wild dolphins, feeding wolves, nursing sick animals, working in a cat houseboat sanctuary, assisting with wildlife recovery and release, attending to injured animals, walking dogs, grooming donkeys, transporting animals for re-homing abroad, caring for orphaned fox cubs, returning stray animals to their colonies after neutering, monitoring turtles and giving distressed animals some tender loving care.
Before we start, here’s a story to help inspire you as you embark on your journey as a volunteer helping animals – it’s the Original Starfish Story found in Star Thrower: “One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, ‘What are you doing?’ The youth replied, ‘Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.’ ‘ Son,’ the man said, ‘don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!’ After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…’I made a difference for that one.'” – naturalist and writer, Loren Eiseley
Volunteering is a great way to obtain hands-on experience and a better understanding of the many different career options open to those wishing to work with animals. Whether you are a school leaver, seeking a career change, or are undecided about whether working within the animal welfare sector is for you, then voluntary work is a great way to find out.
At the same time as giving you the tremendous satisfaction of helping animals in need, your volunteer work can also be an excellent career move. The experience will enable you to gain experience in the specific type of animal care that you aspire to work in.
For many employers, volunteer experience, interest, aptitude, and commitment can be more important than initial entry qualifications. Competition for animal care vacancies is tough. It is advisable to be well equipped with as many related skills as possible when seeking employment. Through volunteering, you will acquire many new skills that will help you when applying for jobs or course placements.
It is advisable for anyone wanting to work with animals, from would-be veterinary surgeons to animal care assistants, to do some sort of voluntary work before embarking on their chosen career.
If you are seeking a career change, volunteering is often an excellent way of landing your perfect job, as it is common for volunteers to be offered permanent positions. By enrolling as a volunteer you will gain a much better and invaluable understanding of the work involved.
Ten tips to help you have a fantastic volunteering experience:
1. The range of opportunities is huge and there is a tremendous amount to be learnt on the ground. It is possible to progress quickly if you are reliable, compassionate, committed, patient and willing to learn and develop a thorough understanding of real animal welfare issues. It goes without saying, that to succeed in any career working with animals, you must be hardworking, compassionate and genuinely concerned for the welfare and needs of animals.
2. Give careful consideration to what you want to gain from volunteering – new skills, fun, a chance to contribute in a meaningful way to a cause you are passionate about? Also think about what you have to offer – enthusiasm, work skills, life skills, time to spend caring, etc.
3. Whilst volunteering, you will want to enjoy your work and feel that you are making a difference. You are also giving up some of your valuable unpaid time. So choose your volunteer placement carefully and make sure that the placement is the right one for you.
4. Very few animal charities operate in the same way – find out as much as possible about the organization before you commit to volunteering. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for volunteers to become disillusioned and drop out because they haven’t fully understood what the job involves or didn’t look into the procedures and policies of the organization they are volunteering for. An example could be a lack of understanding about an animal rescue centers’ destruction policy. Unfortunately, due to the huge numbers of unwanted animals, some shelters are in a position where they have to put healthy animals to sleep because quite simply there is no place to put them. Some people may find this difficult to deal with. Before you start, find out about your chosen organizations’ policies on issues you feel strongly about. Make sure you fully understand what they mean, and why a particular policy is in place. If you can’t accept the policy, then politely decline to be a volunteer.
5. Arrange to visit the organizations center or offices and ask to work for a trial day or two before committing yourself. Remember that many tasks may be messy or unpleasant and working with animals is not for the faint-hearted or squeamish.
6. Most organizations, especially rescue centers, are extremely busy places. If you work well and do what you are asked to do, you will be appreciated, but don’t expect gushing praise and gratitude from the overworked staff! Remember that you are volunteering to help the animals in your care and a wagging tail or loving purr should be reward enough.
7. If you are volunteering for an organization that you ultimately want to work for, ensure that you make a good impression and keep an ear out for any upcoming job vacancies.
8. Whilst some tasks may be menial and you may feel that you are not learning much, it is important to carry out all tasks with enthusiasm. A job well done will mean that you more likely to land more challenging tasks next time.
9. If you are there to learn, keep your eyes and ears open. Even if you seem stuck with boring jobs you will be amazed at what you can learn from listening and watching others, and from events going on around you.
10. Don’t volunteer if you have a big ego. You may be given instruction, by someone younger or less qualified, but don’t underestimate the importance of learning the right procedure for what may seem a menial task. Remember that failing to follow instructions properly can put animals lives at risk.
The 2009 Worldwide Volunteering with Animals Guide is available for download from the Animal Jobs Direct website from 1st January – it contains information on over 600 volunteering opportunities in 96 countries around the world. Find the perfect opportunity through this guide – download from animal-job.co.uk/voluntary-work-with-animals.html.
Animal Jobs Direct http://www.animal-job.co.uk
Volunteer Guide Download: http://www.animal-job.co.uk/voluntary-work-with-animals.html
