Volunteering

[TARM]

So, I’ve volunteered once for the closest rabbit rescue to me.  I like it there but it seems a little strange.  When I was there I talked to the lady…trying to find out as much as I can about the rescue.  She needs volunteers, she told me that, but I have been “assigned” a time to work.  It’s every other Saturday from 2-5.  Every other because she doesn’t like kids to volunteer so I can only go when mine are visiting their father.

I know that sounds kind of harsh and the moms on this board may wonder why I would work for a group that doesn’t want kids around.  I’m OK with it because I’ve included my girls in volunteering  many times before and they always wind up getting bored.  Then I get frustrated, they don’t have any fun, and since volunteering is MY way of having fun I can really only do it when they aren’t home.

Anyway, I tried to find out what they need help with that I could possibly do from my house during the week.  I offered to help with administrative stuff and she said she has to get it in order before she can delegate it.  She doesn’t have adoptable bunnies in foster homes, she wants them all in the main shelter, which is fine, but that’s one more thing I can’t help with.  I can’t get down there during the week because it’s almost an hour away.

I’m thinking of contacting another rescue to see if they need help and work for both of them.  I’d do the local shelter but they have a waiting list to volunteer there .  I want to do more and since I’ve stopped volunteering with dogs all together I have a lot of time on my hands.  I COULD spend that time with my own animals but they are far from neglected and I want to help the homeless bunnies.

What do you rescue folks suggest I do? 

 

[BinkyBunny]

It is very rewarding to work in rescue and so if you have to time to give to both a rescue and your own bunnies, then I say search out another rescue just to find out what your options are. What works for you means it will be something you will stick with and enjoy, and that will be the best thing for any place you volunteer for. So I say keep seeking out the best match for your situation.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yeh, keep searching, no reason you can’t do two things; you might want to go on the waiting list anyways-no harm done Its frustrating that it is hard to find a job when you don’t want pay!! LOL My bf could not believe that I’m pretty much going to have to beg to get to volunteer in a vets office but that’s the way it is I guess. Took me almost four months to get on at our humane society. But worth it

[kimberleyanddarren]

Yeah you could look for another rescue who maybe needs someone to do admin stuff, even if they are fine away you could just fax stuff over, so you are helping without having to travel far

[TARM]

I emailed another rescue today… and not 10 minutes after I inquired about volunteering I got an email back saying “Sure! We’d love you to join us!” I was invited to a party they’re having next Saturday but I already committed myself to the other rescue for that afternoon. This second rescue told me they’re hosting a “spa day” at a local animal shelter (Probably 30 minutes from me) and said they could use some help with nail clipping and grooming next month so I’m going to that.

I’ve not done the whole grooming thing. The babies are not shedding, Thumper won’t let me near her and her stress level will be so high it’s really not worth it. We did manage to clip her nails but that’s it. And I’m not messing around with Digger until after he’s fixed.

Digger, btw, is doing as you guys predicted and now struggles when he’s being lifted. And he doesn’t settle against my chest any more, he tries to climp my shoulder and jump to the ground. What he DOES do, though, is hop up on the couch and demand pets. After I petted him this evening he stretched out behind me on the back of the couch and chilled for quite a while. The picking up of the bunny was nice while it lasted. And the bunny babies are starting to not like that as well either. ::sigh::

Anyway, I hope to make some headway with my original choice of rabbit group because that one needs the help more but I’ve offered to foster for the newer group. Hopefully I can juggle two groups. I usually tend to be loyal to one group at a time but since that didn’t work out so well with the dogs (I went through almost every known group in NOVA with a half way decent reputation but still had issues with the way the animals are placed…I learned quickly that no kill shelters will place dogs with a bite history and that’s just not OK. Temperament always trumps training and one day something horrible is going to happen and I don’t want to be a part of that group when it does.). I really just want to get “in” with a rabbit group and have a purpose.

[osprey]

Another thing to consider is that if the rescue is willing to think outside the box a little, there are plenty of opportunities to do things at home to help.  If you are computer literate and have an interest in it, you can establish a presence on MySpace, LiveJournal, PetFinder, etc. for the rescue.  I spend a lot of time doing photography, this is important for showcasing adoptables, and a lot of the processing of the pictures is done at home.  If you are good at crafty type things, there are sewing projects to make cage and carrier mats.  I really hope you find a place that you enjoy.  it can be very rewarding.

[kimberleyanddarren]

good ideas osprey! i love making stuff on photoshop lol

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