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Consider Volunteering to Help<br />
Animals in the New Year<br />
If you’re thinking about getting a head start<br />
on your New Year’s resolutions, you might want<br />
to consider volunteering at an animal shelter or<br />
with a local rescue group. Here are some great<br />
reasons that might help you decide.<br />
1) The animals need your love and help<br />
According to the American Society for the Prevention of<br />
Cruelty to Animals, animal shelters and rescue groups<br />
take in about 7.6 million animals every year. You can<br />
make a difference.<br />
2) It might help get them adopted<br />
Petting, grooming and playing with shelter animals<br />
can make them healthier and happier—and more<br />
adoptable. A study by animal research consultant<br />
Dr. Nadine Gourkow and Clive J.C Phillips, a professor of<br />
animal welfare at the University of Queensland, found that<br />
cats who had four 10-minute sessions of playing, petting<br />
and grooming time developed upper respiratory disorders<br />
at lower rates and were more content than cats who didn’t<br />
interact with people. Caring for the animals and helping<br />
things run smoothly at your local shelter also helps get the<br />
animals into their forever homes.<br />
3) It’s good for health and improves your mood<br />
Interaction with animals has been shown to have<br />
exceptional health benefits, including reduced stress and<br />
anxiety as well as improved immune system functioning<br />
and pain management. Research has found that while<br />
donating money makes people feel happier for a week,<br />
donating time extends it to 24 days.<br />
4) Make new furry friends if you can’t adopt<br />
Adopting a pet is a huge commitment in terms of time,<br />
money and your housing situation—a place of residence<br />
not allowing pets is the #1 reason people give away their<br />
dogs, followed by not having enough time. So if you’re not<br />
ready to make that commitment yet (or ever), you can still<br />
spend plenty of time around animals by volunteering<br />
according to your own schedule.<br />
5) There are no shortage of shelters or rescues<br />
No matter where you live or where you move to, you<br />
will always be welcome at a shelter or rescue—and very<br />
appreciated. Most of these organizations could not survive<br />
without the help of their devoted volunteers.<br />
6) And finally - the snuggles are the best perk!<br />
Need we say more?<br />
If you’re interested in volunteering locally, look no<br />
further than the pages of this issue of Critter Magazine.<br />
The rest is up to you!<br />
CRITTER MAGAZINE • JANUARY 2022 • PAGE 21
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