Volunteering at your local animal shelter during the holidays is a great way to give something back to the community. Not only that, it benefits you just as much as it does the pets. Here are the top 6 reasons you should volunteer at your local shelter.
1. It Just Makes You Feel Good
Part of your job at the shelter will be working with the animals to help them become more adoptable. Most of the animals that wind up in a shelter are scared. They have often been mistreated or left to run the streets. These animals need human contact to bring out their sweet side so they can find a forever home! That’s where you come in! Working with these dogs and cats will help to bring them out of their shell. Imagine how good you’ll feel knowing you were a big part of the reason an animal got a new family!
2. You’ll Get Instant Gratification
When an animal is treated with kindness, you will see it’s behavior change right before your eyes. Whether you give a dog a bath, or take him for a walk, or just spend some time cuddling a kitty, you’ll see their personalities start to shine through. Those wagging tails and soft purrs will be all the thanks you need!
3. You Will Feel Needed
New animals come and go from the shelter on a daily basis and every one of them needs you! They need someone to love them and take care of them while they’re waiting to be adopted. Your efforts will never go unnoticed because you will see the appreciation all over their little faces!
4. It’s Good for Your Health
Did you know that spending time with an animal can lower your blood pressure and reduce stress? Not only that, walking dogs is great exercise. Bonding with the animals is good for your mental health, too. It can help you deal with loneliness and depression.
5. It’s Good for the Community
Volunteering at the shelter gives you the chance to help out your community and contribute to a cause that’s near and dear to your heart.
6. You’ll Learn New Skills
Volunteering is one of the best ways to learn new skills that could help you get a job. In fact, volunteering looks great on your resume or college applications, too! The more skills and experience you can list on your resume, the more valuable you will look to potential employers. It also gives you the opportunity to prove yourself to people who might give you good job references later on. Not only that, volunteers are usually expected to behave professionally and work scheduled shifts, just like other employees. That means you’ll learn about time management, responsibility, and good work ethic, too.
Contact your local shelter about becoming a volunteer this holiday season! You’ll be really glad you did!
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