DOG WALKERS NEEDED
A very committed group of volunteers has stepped up to walk the dogs at the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC, the county-run animal control shelter), and they need more help. Without the participation of these volunteers, the dogs would get little outdoor exercise. The more the dogs are walked outdoors, the less waste there will be in the kennels and the less stir-crazy the dogs will be when potential adopters go to look at them. Exercise and fresh air also helps with their general health and well-being. Ultimately, walking the dogs improves their quality of life, increases adoptions and saves more animals. Orientation and assistance will be provided by existing volunteers who are already doing dog walking. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. For more information, please contact the all-volunteer rescue group Cold Wet Noses directly at coldwetnoses@msn.com. This group is organizing the team of dog walking volunteers.
FOSTER CARE HOMES NEEDED
One of the key life-saving programs in the No Kill Equation is developing a strong volunteer foster care network for under-aged, traumatized, sick, injured or other animals who are at risk in the traditional shelter environment. Foster care volunteers provide temporary housing, animal care, socialization, training, playtime and love. You can specify if you prefer to foster a certain breed/mix or age of animal, or you can offer to help a special needs animal with medical or behavioral issues that need some additional attention. For example, you can bottle-feed kittens, foster a dog who would like to be your jogging buddy, or spend some quality time with a senior pet. Volunteers work with local nonprofits to find the right match for their home environment and to get the orientation and training needed to care for the animals while they await adoption into permanent homes. Fostering is an ideal opportunity for a stay-at-home parent, families that home-school, people who work at home, students, retirees or anyone who isn't quite ready for the long-term commitment of adopting. For more information, please contact us, and we will refer you to rescue groups and shelters who need your help now.