How Volunteers Are Making a Difference for Animal Welfare by BPT - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ JULY ►
S M T W T F S
31 01 02 03 04 05 06
07 08 09 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events
directory

How Volunteers Are Making a Difference for Animal Welfare

By BPT,
April 18, 2016 at 12:25pm. Views: 287

When you come home from work, he's always there to greet you. When you need extra motivation to workout, he's happy to join you for a walk. When you've had a bad day, he can sense it and is quick to give you a loving nuzzle. Pets provide endless joy to their families, but for millions of shelter animals, each day is a test of patience in hopes of finding a forever home. Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide every year, according to the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) statistics. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats. These numbers underscore the massive need for volunteers to provide the necessary care to ensure as many pets as possible can be placed in safe, loving homes. Volunteers are the lifeblood of any shelter, and it's a true community effort to keep animals healthy and safe. The Dumb Friends League - Denver's largest animal shelter dedicated to giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves - depended on 1,418 volunteers who donated 211,307 hours of service last fiscal year to help needy animals in Colorado. That's the equivalent of 101 full-time employees worth $4.7 million in donated time. This is just one example of the impact volunteers make in the estimated 13,600 shelters nationwide. In addition to volunteers, support from a variety of businesses and corporations helps keep shelters running strong. Hill's Pet Nutrition, for example, is one of the largest donors of food to shelters across the country, providing more than $280 million worth of food to more than 1,000 shelters since its inception in 2002. It's apparent that caring for shelter animals is a group effort, yet one person can make a big difference to help save lives. If you want to change the world for animals in need, here are some tips for becoming a volunteer. 1. Reach out to local shelters. Call your local animal shelter or rescue group to see if they are accepting volunteers. 2. Think about your interests and skills. Caring for animals one-on-one is a popular shelter activity, but there are so many more opportunities for volunteers. Whether you're able to foster in your home, offer professional skills in administration departments or serve as an adoption counselor to new pet parents, volunteer options are truly endless. 3. Spread the love. Once you find your volunteer home, spread the love to help pets find homes and encourage friends to volunteer. By sharing posts on social media, hosting fundraising events and simply bragging about that adorable new pooch to your friends, you're helping to open everyone's eyes to the growing need for volunteers at shelters and the importance of pet adoption.

Related Articles

Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Honored with National Quality Award
Photo Courtesy of: Totally Kids Rehabilitation

By William Cortez, Community Writer

June 26, 2026 at 07:56am. Views: 632

Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s pediatric subacute program has become the only program
of its kind in California to earn the Bronze Commitment to Quality Award from the American
Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living

Highland GLO MedSpa Celebrates Grand Opening, Bringing Advanced Medical Aesthetics to the Highland Community
Photo Courtesy of: Highland Glo MedSpa

By Highland Glo MedSpa, Contributing Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 694

Claudia Torres, Aesthetics Consultant, Mairah Angulo, Aesthetics Consultant, Jill Ali, FNP-C (Provider), Dr. Namita Mohideen, MD, CEO, Dr. Kelly Jeu, MD, Provider, Dr. Jose Arciniega, DO, Provider, Ilsse Castillo, Office Manager, Alexia Sanchez, Office Manager

The Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California Proves Its Relevance in a Changing America
Photo Courtesy of: The Civil Rights Institute

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 800

Photo caption: The Civil Rights Institute Board of Directors and the community celebrate the Woman of Achievement Awardee. Photo L to R: Ken Gutierrez, The Civil Rights Institute Board Member; Kathy Wright, Community Leader; Sabrina Gonzalez, Civil Rights Institute Executive Director; Launa Wilson, The Civil Rights Institute Board President; Q'Vinc Asberry, The Civil Rights Institute Board Member; Irma Asberry, Community Leader/Retired Judge, Superior Court of Riverside County.

Turning Grades into Goals: San Bernardino Students Honored for Academic Triumphs
Photo Courtesy of: Chris Sloan

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 633

Valdez Educational Services President Aaron Valdez, SBCUSD ETSA Wil Greer, Ionatauna Asu, Student, Equity guest teacher Fernando Tanioka, then Equity Counselor Francine Blacksher, celebrate Asu’s achievement, taking his grades from a low F to a high A, at An Evening of Excellence.

Colton Chamber of Commerce New president

Photo Courtesy of: Christina Gaitan

By Chamber Inducted new President , Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 707

left to right -Nelky Rodriguez ( secretary) - Arnise Dejohnette ( board member)- Anna Juarez (board member) David Toro (Council member) Belen Cordero(Board member) - Javier Gomez (treasurer) City Manager -Mayor Frank Navarro- Brian Childstrom (Emeritus) Christina Gaitan (Coordinator) Shelley Burnach ( Vice President ) Lesley Stevens ( Board member) Frank Aguliar (president ) Matthew Hernandez (board member) Councilman Dr. G - Chief Vega Colton Police Department .

Pet of the Week: Goose
Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 544

Goose. He is a one-year-old, male brown Shepherd mix. He's full of personality and even knows how to stand on two legs and shake hands, which is sure to impress everyone he meets!

Celebrate 250 Years of Freedom
Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 593

Celebrate the Fourth of July Celebration at the City of Moreno Valley’s Civic Center Amphitheater on Saturday, July 4, 2026!

First 5 Riverside County and Supervisor Gutierrez Celebrate New Child Care Classrooms in Moreno Valley
Photo Courtesy of: County of Riverside

By William Cortez, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 631

Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez joins Jan Peterson and First 5 Riverside County leadership for the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony

SPARK Youth Employment Program

Photo Courtesy of: County of San Bernardino

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 598

Representatives from San Bernardino County's SPARK Youth Employment Program engage with students and community members during an outreach event designed to connect young adults with job training, career exploration, and workforce development opportunities.

Traffic Delays For Mt Vernon Avenue Improvements
Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI Generated Image

By William Cortez, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 576

Cars and busses stuck in a massive traffic jam.

3 Tips for Surviving Pothole Season
Photo Courtesy of: BPT

By Graham Holt, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 442

Road damage can take a toll on tires and suspension, especially after heavy rain and winter wear.

Dignity Health - St. Bernardine Medical Center and Community Hospital of San Bernardino Names New Hospital President
Photo Courtesy of: Dignity Health

By Wiliam Cortez, Community Writer

June 22, 2026 at 03:14pm. Views: 1062

Anthony Coleman, DHA, has been named the new Hospital President for Dignity Health - St. Bernardine Medical Center and Community Hospital of San Bernardino, effective Monday, June 29th.

--> -->