Whether you are looking for an organization to donate funds or to donate your time, you should do a little research before you make your decision. Hampton Roads has many to choose from, and one may be a better fit for you. The following information provides you with a place to start when making your decision.
No-kill shelters
There is no strict definition for “no-kill.” Any organizations referring to itself as no-kill actually defines the term for itself. Some shelters are willing to put a lot of money into saving an animal who needs expensive veterinary care, while others believe that money can be better used for other purposes. Some shelters will euthanize an animal based on temperament while others will provide an animal with a forever home if they believe he cannot be adopted. If being no-kill is important to you, ask the shelter how they define the term to make sure that it agrees with your vision of no-kill. The organization itself sets rules regarding capacity and which animals it will intake. These organizations prefer spay/neuter programs instead of euthanasia as a way of controlling animal populations. As private shelters, run by volunteers, they receive all money from donors. Sometimes these organizations works solely with foster families and do not have a kennel to visit.
Shelters that euthanize
Some shelters euthanize when they have reached capacity to make room for incoming animals. Shelters that euthanize, such as Animal Control facilities, often receive annual funding from the government, and therefore must comply to rules and regulations regarding the number of animals they adopt and boarding capacities. These shelters cannot turn down animals, and usually have paid employees. Building relationships with other animal welfare organizations helps these facilities find homes for the animals.
Breed Specific Organizations
Breed specific organizations only re-home animals of a particular breed. These organizations are often founded on the belief that a particular breed needs a little more help in finding a permanent home based on a stereotype about the breed, or habit of the breed. For instance, Beagles are often bred as hunting dogs instead of pets, and often turn up lost or abandoned. Due to the special circumstances, an organization may be formed to handle a large number of homeless beagles. It is important to have an appreciation for the particular breed to be a volunteer for a breed specific organization.
Feral cat organizations
Specializing in the welfare of wild, domesticated cats, these organizations may not perform animal adoptions. Instead, they may focus on the management of feral cats, such as trap-alter-release programs, which includes trapping cats, having them spayed or neutered, and then releasing them back into the colony. The colony is usually maintained by the organization, ensuring the animals are healthy and safe, but not breeding.
Barnyard shelters
These shelters are found in rural settings, and they find homes for all animals, including livestock, horses, goats, pigs, etc. These are often no-kill shelters, private, and you can expect to put in hard labor when volunteering with the larger animals.
Wildlife rehabilitation
Some shelters provide wildlife rehabilitation for injured, sick, or abandoned animals. The volunteers must be licensed and educated on how to care for wildlife, as their needs are very different than those of pets.
High level organizations
If you love animals, but scooping poop and cleaning litter boxes isn't your thing, you can volunteer with organizations who work on a higher level (versus grassroots organizations). These groups are working to change legislation, or to unite rescue groups. Examples are Dogs Deserve Better, and the Animal Welfare Coalition.
These categories are not absolute. Some shelters may be combinations of the categories listed above. Each shelter is unique based on the principles on which it was founded. Many who volunteer with animal welfare organizations are passionate about animals, so it is important to find an organization where you feel comfortable and can build a lasting relationship. It’s a good idea to visit a few places and make sure that the shelter is right for you. Often a volunteer coordinator can answer questions for you and give you an idea of what it will be like to volunteer with their organization.
A few questions to consider:
How do I feel about euthanasia?
What type of activities would I most enjoy?
What do I have to offer an organization?
How far am I willing to travel?
How much time do I have to donate?
What types of animals would I enjoy working with and learning about?
Check out Petfinder to search for shelters in your area.
Trini, available for adoption at the NSPCA.
Photo Courtesy of NSPCA.
Comments
Thank you for this objective look at the various types of shelters. I personally would never volunteer or donate money to a "no kill" shelter because I want to stop euthanasia. Therefore I do volunteer and donate to those shelters who do euthanize because I feel this helps more animals. Donations or sponsorship can mean the animals are held longer, increasing their chances for adoption. Volunteering means giving some love and comfort to animals that may be euthanized for time and space, the very least we can do under the circumstances. I have seen animals getting a second chance because of my stance. I can't get that satisfaction from a "no kill" shelter because their animals won't be euthanized no matter if I am there or not. And I won't accept volunteers unless they have volunteered at the open door shelters that euthanize. Those who can't see fit to bring something to the animals in the "kill" shelters don't have what it takes in my book.
Dogs Deserve Better is getting a bad reputation because of the nasty reputation of the leader and that's because it's her business or company. Volunteers do most on their own or raise money and that is what makes it work. Good support group of other volunteers, dogs are rescued, fostered, rehomed, fed, most vetting, everything comes from the volunteers. Unless you like paying bills for the group leader you could do everything they do on your own.
Are there organizations that donations don't go for salary, travel, fancy dinners, etc and you know your money is going to help an animal in need? So many organizations like Best Friends, HSUS, DDB, they all seem like great groups, but there really are so many more animals donations could be helping if they didn't spend our donated dollars on the wrong things.
my advice is if you really want to help animals, stop giving to the organizations out there making a name for themselves and give locally to shelters where you know people are working, cleaning, saving animals. Bigger orgs may save some, but compared to the amount of money they are bringing in, not nearly as many as they should be percentage wise compared to your small shelters. Many of the orgs you hear about don't do any more than send mailings and hire figureheads. Help your local shelters.
I work with K-9 New Life, and I can say that what we need the most is voluteer fosters. We do have expenses for medical and food bills, as we provide both for our foster dogs, but with more fosters we can take in more rescues. If you want to help but don't have the funds to donate, contact us and become a foster to a rescued dog. One more dog will be saved because of you. www.k9newlife.org
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