Name
Volunteering at a Dog Rescue
Institution Affiliation

Introduction
For several weeks now, I have been volunteering at the Petco Dog Rescue where I have learnt a great deal in lessons by the regular service. At this non-profit organization, stray dogs are taken care of and potential owners come to see what dog they would love to adopt as their own.
My task was helping in the transportation as well as fundraising for the service and on Saturdays I tagged my son along where he aided in selling of snacks and showing dogs to their potential owners.
The big dogs need love and the walking; when I first started out as a volunteer, I noticed that there was little walking or fraternizing the bigger dogs and was given obvious reasons. As a result of this, these dogs don’t get walked much even if they’re the one needing the most walking. I would see them mellow in their cages; longing for a belly rub or a walk while the Dachshunds and Chihuahuas got all the attention. (Gobster, 2000)
Unfamiliar questions humble you; why was this dog abandoned? What is the matter with him? Is that dog a stray? These are just some of the questions that came forward from people looking to adopt. I didn’t know how to answer some of the questions but the fact that I had an official shirt for the shelter, I was thought of as an employee. In cases like these, I just had to step back and admit honestly that I do not know and directing them to my superior, glad that I needn’t know everything.
The old dogs need a chance too; I came across a 9 year old German shepherd while I was there- grumpy, depressed by the situation he was in. once in a while, I would let him out of his cage and walk him around. At first, he would glare at me and shrug away. He eventually warmed up to me and allowed the frequent petting. It was totally amazing to see him relax and light up unlike when I was new at the shelter. (Rondeau, 2003)
Getting attached to an animal, then it gets adopted; there was this black and white kitten that was all aloof. He would huddle in the corner of his cage and was aggressive to anyone who tried petting him. He would peer deep into my eyes and I felt there was a connection between us. Finally he warmed up to me and he became more gregarious towards people and this was somehow an achievement for me. Eventually, he became adopted and I kind of missed him.
There is a soul in every animal and they ought to be treated with respect; before I volunteered at Petco, I already knew that animals were genuine spirits just trapped inside bodies of fur just as we are in flesh. When I saw animals locked up in cages, without meaning and purpose, unloved and without adequate space to roam around, I saw those spirits come to life. They had sad and painful eyes which were accentuated by the metal boxes the animals were in. The cages clanked sharply and frightened many; I felt that no one should be subject to that environment. (Pybus, 2007)
Conclusion
All these lessons and others are vital to me; they have brought me to the understanding that volunteering, more so at a shelter, can be one of the most rewarding activities one can do to themselves, the animals as well as others.
If you feel that you want to volunteer, my advice is; search for a local shelter where you can. The help is almost always needed and the experience will be a transforming one both for you as well as for the animals.
Works Cited
Gobster, Paul H. Restoring Nature: Perspectives from the Social Sciences and Humanities. Washington, D.C.: Island, 2000. Print.
Pybus, Victoria. International Voluntary Work. 10th ed. Oxford: Vacation Work, 2007. Print.
Rondeau, Amanda. Volunteering. Edina, Minn.: ABDO Pub., 2003. Print.