Here are some easy, fun ways to help shelter and rescue dogs
and the groups who take care of them. Volunteer as a
dog-walker or playmate.
You'll help give the animals much-needed attention, exercise
and socialization. And since it's hard for volunteers and
shelter workers to get all of the dogs outside each day, in
good weather and bad, you'll be helping them too. As a
bonus, you'll benefit from the
exercise yourself.
Start with a group or shelter near you, so that it's easier
to fit your volunteering into your schedule. Some of the
many DC-area groups seeking dog-walking volunteers include:
Partnership for Animal Welfare: Several dogs are being
boarded at College Park Animal Hospital as they recover from
medical problems and injuries. If you can help, contact
Suzanne at
ssmatting@aol.com.
Best DAWG Rescue: Needs people to play with adoptable dogs
in the program who are being boarded at kennels, such as
Preston in the Columbia MD area. Not only are volunteers
sought for playtime at the kennel, but also those willing to
take the dog to their safely fenced
yards and/or homes for a morning or afternoon play and
exercise session - which gives dogs that all-important
attention, exercise and experience in a home setting For
some canines, this may be the first time a caring person has
taken them into a home environment.
Contact Moira at
mgingery@aol.com
Washington Humane Society: Dog-walkers are needed to walk
adoptable dogs around the immediate area of the shelter at
7319 Georgia Avenue, NW. The shelter is about a 10-minute
walk from the Takoma Metro station, and also not far from
downtown Silver Spring. The walks provide exercise and
socialization, and they help to maintain good mental health
during the dog's stay at WHS. Volunteers are responsible for
leashing the dog in the dog run, removing the dog from his
run, maintaining control over the dog for the entire walk,
and putting the dog back in his run. Experience in animal
handling preferred, but WHS will train volunteers without
experience. Contact Rebecca at 202-723-5730, ext. 208
* Another way to help a local rescue group or shelter that
has a foster caregiver program: volunteer as a *temporary*
foster caregiver. You'll enable a dog's regular caregiver
to take a short break, go on vacation or complete a home
project. Contact an animal welfare organization near you
and see how you can make a difference even if you have just
a few hours to spare.
----
For free, detailed Dog Tips on canine behavior, health,
training, management and other issues -- plus some tipsheets
relevant for folks with cats and other species -- go the
Robin's Dog Tips index at
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/dog_tips.php
To be added or removed from the Dog Tips email list, contact
Tierneydog@yahoo.com
Robin
Editor, Robin's Dog Tips
Writer, weekly Pets feature in regional newspapers
FOR NONPROFIT USE ONLY. These
articles may NOT be reproduced or circulated without author
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