Experience the Joy! Enjoy the Experience!

What am I talking about?  Volunteering.  It's a great feeling to help others in need or ones who can not help themselves.  I know because I have been a volunteer in the animal rescue community for seven years.  

We just moved to Florida and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was taking place when we were watching a news station on a Saturday morning.  A local rescue was on discussing the animals that were being saved from the disaster ridden areas and their need for volunteers to help with the influx of surviving animals.  That is all it took for me.  I met with a Volunteer Coordinator and began my volunteer experience.  My job was to provide dogs and cats with socialization and help them acclimate to the shelter environment which also made them more adoptable.  I received as much out of volunteering my time to help these animals as the animals did.  They learned who I was and would get excited when they saw me.  They knew when I approached their kennel or cage it meant they were coming out for play time and a few treats would be thrown into the mix.  I know without the time I spent, and other volunteers spent with these animals, these furbabies may have not had a chance to find their forever home.  There were always ones that really tugged at my heart strings and will forever hold a special place in my heart, however knowing they found their forever family was enough for me to leave each day and know they would be okay.  See, I feel like I have to save the world and there were times I didn't want to walk away without bringing most of furbabies home.  I stayed with the shelter for 6 1/2 years before I moved on to another rescue which concentrates on cats.

I met Jeanine Cohen of Cat Crusaders in November 2011 on a whim when I made a last minute stop at Petsmart on Bruce B. Downs.  All it took for me to stop and talk to her was to see the many cats and kittens that were on display trying to find their forever homes.  Her and I talked, I asked about volunteering and she gave me some informaiton concerning Cat Crusaders.  I didn't make a decision that day because I was torn leaving the shelter, however I really wanted to be concentrate on saving cats. Unfortunately, the cat community needs more help saving cats than dogs.  One of the reasons is because we have so many feral kitties running around and cats have lower adoption rates than do dogs.  It may have something to do with an overall skewed perception that cats are social and lovable.  Speaking from experience, this is the furthest from the truth.  I decided to concerntrate on helping the cat rescue community and made my decision to volunteer with Cat Crusaders.  I couldn't have made a better decision and absolutely love being a part of the group.  I foster cats and kittens, help with adoptions and screening applicants, and am their Social Media Coordinator. Spreading the word about the great work rescue organizations do is half the battle.  I have met many wonderful families who have adopted cats and kittens and there is nothing more precious than seeing a family leave with a smile on everyone's face and a carrier in hand with their new furbaby.  I know the cats are happy too because I keep in touch with most of the adopters I screen and helped to find their furbaby.  

Volunteering is extremely rewarding for both sides and I suggest everyone find their volunteer opportunity and give back to the community.  If you have teens that need community service hours, Cat Crusaders offers teens to the opportunity to earn the hours.  Trust me, you won't regret it.  

You know I can't end this post without at least offering information on volunteering with Cat Crusaders.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer you can email us at volunteer@tampacatcrusaders.org, visit http://www.tampacatcrusaders.org/info/display?PageID=9397, and/or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cat-Crusaders-Inc/121408757911473.  You will always find a Cat Crusader volunteer on Saturdays and Sundays at the New Tampa Petsmart, so stop by and visit!