You Don't Have to Have Experience with Animals to Help Shelter Dogs

When people think about volunteering with dogs, they usually picture one thing: showing up at a shelter ready to walk dogs for a few hours. That's a great way to help and one I personally enjoy, but it's not the only way. Whether you've got a few minutes, a couple dollars, or a a few extra hours a week, there are plenty of opportunities to make a difference for dogs at the shelter while they wait for their forever homes.

If you have five minutes: like, comment, share

This one costs nothing and takes almost no time, but it matters more than people realize. The easiest way to help a dog get adopted it to share about it! A shared adoption post can put a dog in front of the right person, the one who's ready to bring them home. If you follow your local humane society or city shelter on social media and get in the habit of liking and sharing their posts, you're already volunteering, even if you never set foot in the building.

If you have a few dollars: give money

Cash donations go further than most people assume. Shelters use them for everything from medical costs to food to the supplies that keep the building running day to day. Even a small recurring donation adds up and gives the organization predictable support they can budget around. Most shelters make this a super easy process on their website, and many accept in-kind donations too if you'd rather give supplies than cash. A super easy one? Old towels! These get used to clean kennels daily and are always needed, so think twice before you get rid of them!

If you have a few hours: show up

This is the version of volunteering most people know about, however volunteering doesn't only mean dog walking. It also could mean:

• Cleaning kennels - unglamorous, but one of the most needed jobs on any given day

• Doing laundry and dishes - shelters go through an enormous amount of bedding, bowls, and towels

• Restocking supplies - keeping food and cleaning materials where staff can find them

• Groundskeeping - whether it’s spreading mulch in the spring or cleaning play yards, help is needed outside the building too

• Event presence - volunteers are always needed to talk about shelter programs and needs at events so that staff can focus on the animals

• Dog walking - if you are comfortable walking and handling dogs, this is a great way to spend your time AND get some exercise! Most shelters have structured walking programs and different dog walking levels to make sure dogs are being handled appropriately

  
  

Most shelters run structured volunteer programs: an application, a short orientation, sometimes a minimum monthly commitment. It's worth checking your local shelter's site for specifics, but don't let "structured" scare you off; it's usually just a quick onboarding and the monthly commitment is low.

If you want to do more: sponsor something specific

Some businesses let you sponsor a dog's exercise directly. Here in Hamilton County and surrounding areas, Zoomie Squad brings its mobile dog gym (climate-controlled, dog-powered slatmill sessions) out to shelters, making weekly visits to give shelter dogs a real workout. Sponsoring a session funds movement, enrichment, and confidence-building for a dog who might otherwise spend most of the day in a kennel.

It's a small, specific way to directly improve one dog's day while they wait to be adopted.

If you'd like to sponsor a Zoomie Squad session for a dog, here is the link to donate! We have existing partnerships with IndyHumane, APL, and Hamilton Humane as well as rescue partnerships with Lucci's House Bully Rescue, Four Legged Ranch, Redemption Rescue, and Sacred Sycamore Animal Rescue, but are not limited to these. Let us know if there is a specific shelter or rescue you have in mind.

Pick your level, not the "right" one

There's no wrong way to volunteer. Sharing a post, donating ten dollars, mucking out kennels on a Saturday morning and sponsoring an enrichment activity all make an impact. Start wherever your time and budget actually allow, and let it grow from there if it makes sense for you.

If you have questions about ways you can help our team would be happy to answer questions about our experiences and connect you with people in our network to get started!

About the author:

Maddie Radcliff is the owner of Zoomie Squad, a mobile dog gym serving Hamilton County and parts of Marion County. She is a resident of Fishers, IN and has two dogs of her own. In her free time, you can probably spot her out walking /playing with them, training for her next race, or volunteering at Hamilton County Humane Society. Check out Zoomie Squad here: zoomiesquadindy.com