If you love pets and want them to be happy, you should consider volunteering. Places like animal shelters rely on volunteers to help keep food in the bellies of animals that need it, and to give them the love and care they deserve. Volunteering can be exciting, helpful, and rewarding—and if you add snuggles with cute animals, it gets even better.
Volunteering With Animals Is Rewarding
From snuggling kittens and puppies to feeding, cleaning, and exercising them, volunteering with animals is rewarding. Children and teens who spend time with animals tend to be more empathetic to others, more responsible, and more likely to make kind choices.
For adults, spending time with animals who do not care about how you look and have no judgments can feel freeing. The hardest part of volunteering is wanting to take all of the animals home with you, but trust us—they will not all fit!
Volunteering at Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter
Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter in Bozeman is one of the best places to volunteer in Montana! They work with each volunteer to give them the best possible training. Their volunteer setup ensures that each animal gets the special care they need.
Junior PAW Program (6 – 15 Years)
Young children who wish to help must have a guardian volunteer with them. This ensures the safety of the children as well as the animals. Children and their guardians can participate in two ways: cat cuddling, and dog storytime.
But before cuddles and reading can happen, the volunteers must attend a training session. They’ll learn some very important aspects of animal care, like cat and dog body language, and how to respectfully play with and pet animals. This can be wonderful way to help young children learn all the aspects of pet care before getting them one of their own!
PAW Program (16 and Up)
Volunteers who are 16 and older can join the PAW program, which is broken up into 4 tiers. Everyone starts at tier 1 and moves up the tiers as they complete training and volunteer hours at the shelter. This setup ensures that no one ends up in situations that they are not trained for, so that the care the animals in the shelter receive is always the best.
- PAW 1: Orientation
- PAW 2: After 8 hours of service
- PAW 3: After 24 hours of service
- PAW 4: Over 48 hours of service
Groups, Community Service, and Fostering Are Also Available!
Along with the Junior and regular PAW programs, there are other ways to help out at Heart of the Valley. Groups of 5 to 20 can schedule a full day of volunteering. Those seeking court-ordered community service are encouraged to apply for volunteer hours as well.
If you love animals but do not want to help at the facility, another great way to help homeless animals is to foster them. With all medical expenses and supplies paid for by Heart of the Valley, all you need to do is give them the care, love, and exercise they need.
Best Dental Care For Your Furry Friend
Loving animals is a full time job. But whether you’re taking them out on the town or snuggling in front of the tv, no one wants stinky breath kisses from their furry friends. Good oral hygiene for your pet not only helps with bad breath, it also improves a pet’s overall health.
Animals with tooth or gum decay could be suffering pain, refusing to eat, or prone to infections. Here at Montana Pet Dentistry and Oral Surgery, we care about the oral health of all animals. That is what makes us the best pet dental clinic in the state. Contact us today to schedule a cleaning and exam for your furry friend.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (4/10/23). Photo by sabina fratila on Unsplash.