New Volunteering Opportunity

United States
October 19, 2011 3:59am CST
So, I used to volunteer for a dog/cat rescue, but since I have started working nights again, and going to school full time, I have not had the time to do anything for them. And now I'm working the nights that we have our volunteer meetings, so I can't even make those! I feel bad, but I don't have time. The drive time alone is an hour, and that is time I don't have right now. So, I've found somewhere that is just a five minute drive from my house, and they are very flexible with days and times for their volunteers. This rescue is a bird rescue, and I have recently found a new love for birds. I have taken many injured birds to them during the past years, so I figured now I'd give something back to them! Volunteering somewhere new won't really help me feel better about not being able to volunteer to the other place, but I've thought of something to help me ease the burden a little bit. I think since I'm volunteering my time at this new rescue, I'll donate monthly money to my old rescue. I can't afford a ton, but maybe 10 dollars a month. What do you guys think? If you were my old rescue, would you be happy with the money, even though I ABANDONED you... lol. Thanks guys!
4 people like this
10 responses
carmelanirel
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
19 Oct 11
I am sure they realize how hard it is for some people and that you didn't "abandon" them by choice. Just keep doing what you can, and I pray that things work out for you. Though I still have not been hired on at the school, I got another possible dog sitting job, and things are starting to look up for me, so I hope it does for you as well..
carmelanirel
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
20 Oct 11
Problem is Lily, I can only take jobs where I can walk to, I don't have a car, so I just use word of mouth and it is getting around, it's amazing...And yes, I love spending time with these dogs, except when I spoke to my neighbor, she seems to think the one who needs a dog-sitter, really needs someone to care for her cat(s) she is taking her dogs, but still, I love cats too, I just prefer dogs because I have been around them all my life..
ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
22 Oct 11
I am sure they know you have school and probably a job. That means that there is less time to give to other things. Its called "having a life" and most groups that use volunteers understand that there comes a time when former volunteers have to move on. At least you didn't burn out like many, but this is why groups are always looking for more volunteers. Don't beat yourself up over not being able to give time, they really do understand. And if you can give them a few bucks a month, they will appreciate that just as much.
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Thank you Elic, I hope they see it the same way you do. I emailed one of the board members last weekend, haven't heard back from her...so that makes me feel a little bad. But hopefully tomorrow I'll be going to the bird rescue to give my volunteer application and meet everyone. Will be nice to see all the birds!
1 person likes this
jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
20 Oct 11
Volunteering is a wonderful thing to do for the community. I favour animal rescue as well, and especially cats and dogs. I can understand completely your difficulty with working nights, and driving a long way. My daughter volunteered with fauna recue for nearly one year, when she was 14 or 15. She became very good and knowledgable with handling the birds. I have often thought of voluntering with the rspca, but the problem is they have to put far too many cats and kittens down, and that will upset me. Goodluck with the birds, you will love it.
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
20 Oct 11
I know how you feel about not wanting to volunteer where animals are being put down. That's why I liked my old rescue, they don't euthanize, and in fact they pull animals from shelters, most of which are due to be euthanized. Maybe there's something you can do for the RSPCA outside the shelter. You could contact them about volunteering as a fundraiser. Or you could foster, if that's an option available to you, I know it's not for a lot of people (me included). Thank you, I do love birds, so I think I'll enjoy this. I'm just worried all fall in love with the parrots she has and want to bring one home, which is not an option for me either! lol
writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
20 Oct 11
Evryone is hurting for money now, so I think $10 a month would be a help. I think more than one place that you volunteered on a resume is good, too. I'm sure the bird people need help, too. It will give you more experience with a new population that has different needs and problems. All learning, positive experiences are good ones and no knowledge is ever lost. Go for it!
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
20 Oct 11
Thank you for the logical perspective on this writers. I defintely will like getting this different experience, and it'll help me decide whether or not I'd like to take in a couple birds at a time for my rescue too. I'm glad everyone so far as said that 10 dollars a month would probably be a bigger help to them then I'm imagining it would be! lol
bounce58
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Oct 11
I think that's really great! That even though you're volunteering at this new place, you still have room on your plate for the old one. Even if you can't be physically there, you're still helping by sending out money. I think every little thing helps. Goodluck!
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
20 Oct 11
I wish I had the time to work with both rescues, and I would have found the time if not for the long driving time. And there aren't really any other dog/cat rescues that close to me. I'm just happy I have somewhere I can volunteer that is close to my house. Thank you bounce
katie0
@katie0 (5203)
• Japan
20 Oct 11
YOU ARE AN ANGEL!!! I'm Vegan and a rescuer but I don't vonlunteer like this. I have 'pets' but that are my kids, I don't see them as Animals but a part of the family and now I received an ultimate as I can't have them anymore, I have 6 already, hahaha. I admire volunteers so much. You give your time for our friends with paws and that is just sweet. Thank you for doing this! They need so much of our help. People are so cruel to animals. I'm also glad to know there's such thing as a bird rescuer organisation. It made my day.
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
20 Oct 11
Thank you Katie I def. think as my animals as family too...I have two mice that I spoil as much as a possibly can. I want to get them an even bigger cage, but not sure where it would fit! lol. We also have 3 dogs, 3 cats, and 4 birds--all rescues in one way or another. It amazes me what some people can do to animals, and I want to do as much as I can to fight them. I'm actually planning on starting my own animal rescue after I graduate (probably a couple years after, so I can get more money saved up). I'm going to focus on helping dogs and cats with behavior issues due to human abuse/neglect. This bird rescue is amazing. The lady is really wonderful, she's taken a lot of birds from us over the years. And she even has a lot of free birds that hang around her house, no doubt they're birds that she has helped in the past. I can't wait to start volunteering with them.
moondancer
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
19 Oct 11
Recues are happy for anything anyone wishes to do in the form of help. They understand that you just can't make it there now as you are trying to better your life as well as making a living. You have no reason to feel bad about this although, I know you will. They will be fine with your donation. That money will go a long ways when added to other money they get for helping the animals. You need to focus on your studies and get things right for you so later you can do more and you know you'll want to. xx
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
20 Oct 11
I definitely do want to do a lot more than I am right now. Being able to save more animals would make everything worth it. This new rescue I'll be volunteering at will give me the experience I want with birds. I hope my money does help them. I know $10 a month isn't a whole lot, but maybe every so often I can give a little more. I just have to make sure I'm keeping enough so I'll have enough for school, and I need to save up a good amount. Thank you moon.
Stephannie
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
19 Oct 11
Yes. I think they should be very grateful for you giving them the $10 per month. They need it.
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
20 Oct 11
I know every rescue says every little bit help, I still just don't feel like 10 dollars can do a whole lot..but other people are telling me otherwise. lol. I guess it'll just have to be enough for me, I can't afford to pay much more every month. But maybe every once in a while I could donate a little bit more. We'll have to wait and see! Thanks steph
Kashmeresmycat
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
19 Oct 11
Awww little Lily, you are so tender-hearted, it's very endearing. I think that's a wonderful idea that you have. It will also make you feel much better and less guilty on feeling like your abandoning the animals. Ten dollars a month can go a long way if it's used correctly, which I'm sure it will be. I think they'll be very, very happy with that donation and I commend you.
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
20 Oct 11
Thank you Kashmere, I hope the money does help, although I just feel like 10 dollars isn't a lot lol. But hopefully you're right and it'll do more than I think. And maybe every once in a while I can donate more, I just have to make sure I have enough for school...and that I'm saving up a good amount for my own future animal rescue.
log0008
@log0008 (62)
• Australia
19 Oct 11
i am sure they are happy with any money they get, it shows you are thinking of them and still supporting them!
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
19 Oct 11
Yeah, it's just been hard since I've started school to find a lot of time for them (I wish they were 5 minutes away from my house! I could help out a lot more than). I've just been feeling so guilty and useless, and now that I found this new place I'm excited about actually getting to volunteer. I just emailed one of the board members from my old rescue, explaining the situation to her. Hopefully they won't be too upset with me. Thank you log.