Berkeley Parents Network: Volunteer jobs working with animals

Berkeley Parents Network

Volunteer jobs working with animals

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Charity, Donations & Recycling > Volunteer jobs working with animals

2001

My 12 year old daughter would like to find a volunteer job opportunity working with dogs. She would be happy to help socialize, train, or care for any type of dog, young or old. We are currently a foster family for the Humane society, but she would like to work with someone involved in the dog care, breeding, or training world. Some of the organizations we have contacted only work with older adolescents or adults. We live in Marin, but are able to come to the East Bay. Any suggestions are much appreciated! Susan

Does anyone know of a summer program or daycamp where kids can work with animals--preferably with cats and dogs? My 12 year old daughter would be very interested in a program like this. Also, are there volunteer opportunities for a 12 year old to work with animals, where a parent/adult wouldn't have to accompany her each time? The Berkeley Humane Society, for example, requires an adult escort. Thanks Joan

this is in response to the parent who asked about summer programs for her 12 yr old daughter where she could work w/ animals. the sfspca (maddie center) offers cat camps and dog camps. they're offered as day camps in one week sessions. they're extremely popular and enrollment is limited so it's done on a lottery basis. i suggest applying early. my son was fortunate enough to get to do a one week cat camp session in the summer of 99. although he was older (13) than all the others and felt that most of the activities were directed towards the younger crowd, he LOVED the time spent with the cats. he learned a lot about cats, watched a spay operation and spent time petting cats. i would definitely recommend it.

as far as volunteering goes, you might want to check with some kennels in your area to see if they would let her help with cleaning up the kennels or walking the dogs that are boarded. also check w/ pet adoption organizations like the milo foundation or community concern for cats. good luck. Pam

The San Francisco SPCA has a summer day camp for kids who want to learn more about and be around cats and dogs. I don't know how early it fills up. Nina

My daughter (12) and I volunteer at the Oakland SPCA. We took two dog training classes after which we could walk and socialize the dogs and partecipate in misc. events. The SPCA requires that I'm volunteering at the same time my daughter does, but we pretty much do our own things since she is more interested in dogs and I like cats better. She's not allowed to partecipate in the dog grooming, but cat grooming is ok. We have done it now for a couple of months and it has been great. Check them out at their site http://www.oaklandspca.org/ and feel free to contact me through email. Giulia

Did you try Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael? I used to be a volunteer dog walker there. I don't know how whether they let kids do it. Ariel Gilbert is the volunteer coordinator. Alysson

Guide Dogs for the Blind in, I believe, San Rafael sometimes needs people, including teenagers, to foster puppies in training. This is quite a commitment and usually requires some help from the rest of the family, but it is socially useful work and supposedly fun and rewarding. Melanie

I am a volunteer with Hopalong Animal Rescue, a not for profit animal rescue group in the East Bay, primarily Oakland and Berkeley. We rescue dogs and cats from the Oakland Animal Shelter who are at risk for euthanasia. We are always in need of volunteers, adults and teenagers who can handle dogs at our mobile pet adoptions that are held weekly throughout the Bay Area. We are also desperate for more foster homes for dogs and cats, pups and kittens. If anyone is interested in helping out please go onto our website at www.hopalong.org and check us out. Then if you would like to help email us at www.info at hopalong.org. If anyone needs community service hours for school requirements maybe this would count. Please ask your friends, neighbors and students and let us know. Thanks. Kathy (8/00)

Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society has a strong volunteer program. Call 845-3652 or check www.bhumane.org (from the May/June 1999 Berkeley High School PTSA Newsletter)

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