Q: For years I've felt drawn to somehow working with animals, but have encountered many roadblocks. I'd like to tell you what I've researched so you can better understand my situation.
Going to school is not feasible because I have to work full-time to support myself. As for pursuing dog training, the only school is an hour away and I cannot relocate. Because I live in an apartment, I cannot foster pets waiting for adoption.
I have talked with the humane society in my town, but being a cruelty investigator isn't an option. We have a wildlife rehab outside the city limits, but they mostly rely on volunteers, have a handful of paid positions and employees have to live outside city limits.
Finally, I considered working with a rescue sanctuary, but we don't have one nearby. All things considered, I feel this would be my first choice and most fulfilling. Believe it or not, no one I know shares my interest and I've run out of ideas!
A: Thanks for taking the time to write and thanks especially for your interest in helping animals. There are many animals everywhere who are entirely dependent on the kindness of humans to make their lives better. They need all the friends they can get, and it is good to know that they a friend in you.
I would encourage you to get involved with animals at whatever level your current circumstances involve. If a career in animal protection does not work for you at the moment, there are still lots of ways you can help. It can be as simple as keeping an eye open for stray and abused dogs and cats and then reporting them to whatever local group is able to help. Or you can collect used blankets and towels for your local animal shelter. Perhaps you can offer to publicize some of the animals they have for adoption. I think that once you get started on this path of compassion, you will soon discover multiple ways to get involved.
Most of us in the animal field got started this way, almost by accident. It’s not something one does to get rich or win status in society. There are no academic programs to prepare you for this work. But for some of us, there is such a strong pull to help animals, it’s almost as if we cannot resist, and we find ways to help.
You can always help animals by what you DON’T do. In fact, this is probably the best place to start. You can start by NOT eating them, by NOT wearing them, by NOT buying products that are tested on animals. Join us in using your purchasing power to send society the message that animal abuse, for any reason, is unacceptable.
I wish you all the best in you efforts to help animals, wherever that may lead you. Welcome to our circle. We are very glad to have you as another friend of the innocent and voiceless.