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