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Step Four: What can you do for animals?
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The bottom line is that everyone can do something.
Many animal charities really need help in all sorts of areas.
Some of it is at a fairly easy level - turning up and helping with the teas on a fund-raising afternoon.
Equally, some animal charities would really welcome help of a more professional nature, such as Public relations, human resources, IT....all the stuff which keeps a charity running and raises its profile that the volunteers or smaller charities and rescue centres particularly may just not have the resources for. The larger organisations will probably have departments assigned to deal with all this sort of stuff. |
Did you know that...
great recipies contributed by trainers, jockeys, journalists and owners in the racing world. Why not buy it as a present for a horse and food lover?
For more info about the wonderful work Moorcroft does, click HERE. |
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What can and will you help with?
Download our PDF file to find out ways in which you could help animals. Our list gives you an idea of the sorts of things animal lovers around the world do to help all creatures great and small.
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Remember, it is not inclusive, nor will every charity want people who can do every single thing listed below; some will have a greater emphasis on one than others. The one-page file enables you to tick those things you'd like to help with and then firm up on those you will help with.
You could find yourself doing a number of any of these things when you start volunteering, although in the beginning perhaps you could have just ticked one or two things to do. There are things you can do as part of a team with a charity or independently on your own, perhaps with a group of friends, to help out. |
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Charities need to have a good mixture of people from all sorts of backgrounds with a variety of talents and skills.
You may need some basic training when you start out. Things may be done in a particular way by an animal charity, such as home-checking, (where you'll ascertain whether an individual, couple or family and their home is suitable for taking on a pet.)
Sometimes, voluntary work can provide a great stepping stone into a new career (although you may not have intended to be so at the time) as you discover a flair and talent you'd never realised you had before.
Finally, some aspects of voluntary work may require experience. E.g. if you want to help out at a centre which rehabilitates race-horses by riding the animals to exercise them), you will almost certainly need a strong background in riding (i.e. being a competent rider with a good amount of experience behind you.) Racehorses are spirited animals, and you need to protect yourself as much as think about their safety if you are going to help with exercising. |
Combine the things you're willing to do opposite with your own personal qualities:
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The willingness to get involved and help
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Enthusiasm
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Passion and love for animals
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Time - as much as you want
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Patience and understanding
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Leadership
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Money
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Belief that we all need to help
Network of contacts - friends and family
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A "let's get it done" approach
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A flexible approach - you'll muck in with everyone and be a part of a team
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Fresh ideas
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Experience e.g. as a pet owner
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Energy
A reliable source of help
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Determination to make a difference
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Another thing to consider is: what can you GIVE to help animals?
Click HERE for ideas and to acquire some focus on this question. |
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Many charities have a WISH LIST - that is, items they need which you may have but don't want anymore or could donate to them. They may use some of the items you donate in a ways you never imagined!
Here are some examples:
The Brooke, a large equine welfare charity helping equine animals in countries such as Ethiopia, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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Finally, consider whether you want to work alone, creating a service or product which needs help and goodwill from others; or be a part of a team, working for something which already exists.
You'll need Adobe Reader to read our PDFs - click HERE to get it.
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