When we think about volunteering at an animal shelter, our first thought is cleaning up poop, filling food and water bowls, and dealing with generally upset or poorly trained animals.
To some, it doesn't seem so bad, but I know a couple of people who have actually likened it to signing up to do only the "sucky side of having a pet".
Yes, volunteers are needed for those mundane tasks, but if you think about it, it doesn't take that many people to manage those. So what are most of the volunteers doing with their time?
Cuddling, playing, walking, and just generally interacting with the animals.
Back in January, the shelter shared a photo of Jeff and a dog snuggling as part of their Monday volunteer shout out.
They explained that while Jeff helps out wherever he can, he's a pro at post-surgery snuggling.
Yep. He just curls up with animals just after surgery, making sure they feel safe and comforted as they wake up from anesthesia.
Having a chance to play or just cuddle lowers their stress levels and helps them learn social skills. And a calm, well-behaved dog or cat is far more likely to find a forever home.
They're probably looking for people just like Jeff to give their animals a little love.
