POINTS ON PETS | FROM PAGE 18
you and put you in touch with current fosters who’ll tell you about the best gig they’ve ever had. The day-to-day care of shelter animals (above all, routine and emergency veterinary care) remains the biggest strain on a rescue’s finances and resources. Many rescues offer programs that allow volunteer adults (and sometimes, supervised children) to help with daily care for some animals, including feeding and site cleaning. Other needs might include helping with animal adoptions, staffing booths at public events or pet supply stores, driving pets to and from vet appointments, picking up adoptable animals from airports or distant shelters, helping with routine grooming or medicating, making shopping trips for supplies, and coordinating exercise or playtime. Ask your rescue’s volunteer coordinator about their current needs.
Rescue Groups Need Your Business and Life Skills Animal rescue groups welcome volunteers who have skills and connections in finance, tech, fundraising, advertising, marketing, public relations, education, social media, training, construction and maintenance, logistics, and transportation, among many others. Because every nonprofit rescue has had to become even more savvy about running a successful organization in challenging times, your knowledge and work experience are in high demand. No matter what your interests or professional background, you and your family have expertise that your local rescue would love to call on you for. Just ask them.
COVID symptoms and other infectious illnesses if you visit or volunteer. They may also require you to follow mask and other safety guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says in its most recent pandemic update: “The virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals during
close contact. Pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. . . . The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is low.” Keep up to date on COVID-19 by checking the websites for the CDC and the
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA; see Resources). Even in challenging times like these, volunteering at an animal rescue is doable, fulfilling, and fun. And it could be just what some deserving and lovable creatures near you want and need.
It’s Important to Keep Yourself and Your Rescue Friends Healthy Most rescues will require you to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and to be free of
About the Author – Selice volunteered as an adoption counselor at King Street Cats in Alexandria for seven years.
PETS
OF THE
MONTH By Gina Hardter
Jazz
4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774 alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm Closed Wed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm Old Town Crier
It may be the back-to-school season, but Jazz has spent the entire summer with his nose in the “cat training” book. Thanks to his teachers at the AWLA, the 5-year-old gray and white kitty has already perfected a variety of tricks, including Sit, Down, Spin and even the demanding Sit Pretty. Who even knew you could teach a cat tricks? Jazz is ready to bring his booklearning to a brand new home of his own AND his adoption fees have been prepaid by a generous donor, so schedule time to meet him today by contacting the AWLA at Adopt@AlexandriaAnimals.org or 703.746.4774.
Link
Buntilda
At 9 years old, Link knows you’re never too old to learn a new trick or two, and he already has a pretty broad repertoire, including Sit, Stay and Shake. But at Backto-School time, this Labrador retriever mix is ready to start a new training routine, one that involves long walks in the morning with lots of sniffing (to stimulate the body and mind), hearty meals and lots of treats in reward for all his new skills. If you’re ready to put on your teaching hat, Link is ready to learn. Schedule time to meet Link by emailing Adopt@ AlexandriaAnimals.org.
What’s Buntilda’s favorite thing about the Back-to-School season? Pre-packaged veggie snacks, of course! Whether it’s apple slices, leafy greens, broccoli or, yes, carrots, Buntilda is happy for something to munch on as she’s going about her day. This 16-month-old American rabbit also enjoys the naptime portion of school and well as arts and crafts. Learn more about her artistic sensibilities by emailing Adopt@ AlexandriaAnimals.org.
Schedule time to meet with any of these amazing adoptables by emailing Adopt@AlexandriaAnimals.org or calling 703.746.4774 opt. 2. September 2022 19