"This opening is for treats only." I'm wondering what was put in their prior to prompt THAT sign. Sorry. Bad fuzzles.

I encourage all pet lovers to volunteer! My husband and I volunteer at our local shelter once a week as "cat cuddlers" --- we take the cats out of their crates, play with them, pet them, brush them, introduce them to adopters, etc... it's SO rewarding and only takes a couple hours/ week.

We also foster kittens, but that's a little more time intensive

It's so great that you are using your power to help out petsugar.
All fuzzy friends thank you.

runningesq, bless you and your husband! that is such an amazing thing to do.

runningesq, bless you and your husband! that is such an amazing thing to do.

awh thanks lawchick ... if you want a kitten let me know -- we currently have four 6 week olds ... one brown tabby and three white with brown tabby markings .. they are hilarious! (and 1.4 lbs currently -- we're working on getting weight on them).

Brando and I are doing a 5k walk in 2 weeks for the New Leash on Life organization. We're really excited about it!

And if you feel so inclined, feel free to PM me for our donations page

I have volunteered for a local dog rescue group for almost 7 years now. It is an amazing experience and I highly recommend it to everyone who loves animals. It can be painful sometimes when you see how terrible people can be, but the feeling you get when you place a pet in a home and you make the family complete...there is nothing better.

Plus I met my boyfriend there, and have been with him for almost 5 years. It is a great place to meet friends who share your love of animals. And, it looks great on resumes and school applications. All it takes is a few hours of your time every now and again.

Way to go PetSugar! I work at an animal shelter and we are ALWAYS in need of more animal loving volunteers!!! Some people may be apprehensive because they think it will be too sad, but I promise that that it will turn out to be one of the most heart-warming experiences of your life. At my shelter, we are no kill (we give animals as long as they need until we find them a home), so it's especially uplifting work.

Runningesq, fostering is awesome too! People like you make all the difference for the animals!!! And ehadams, you have a great point about meeting people by volunteering. You all rock!

For anyone who is interested, I recently began a blog about disabled dogs (it was inspired by my own special needs pups). Check it out and help me spread the word: www.reboundhounds.blogspot.com

Its true, since I've been volunteering I feel like my eyes and heart have been opened up WIDE!!!!!! I was always the girl who cried when she saw the adds on tv for local shelters or animals suffering around the world. I never thought I would be able to volunteer in a shelter environment. I was wrong. I'm a volunteer dog walker once a week and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! the first month was hard because you worry about the pets once you go home but I've been doing it for 9 months now and it has gotten so much easier plus Ive gotten to know the staff now and am starting to build real bonds with fellow animal lovers. Things couldn't be better

Suec