Volunteer Opportunities Range from Simple to Life Changing

Volunteer opportunities abound in this area, but sometimes it's difficult to find just the right fit for your interests and the time you have available.

Patch is here to help! For the next 12 days we will chronicle a range of opportunities that take just an hour a month (or less) to opportunities that will allow you to open your home, as well as your heart. 

Animal rescue groups across Manatee and Sarasota Counties are always looking for volunteers to provide a range of services: from fostering dogs and cats (I meant it when I said open your home) to walking the dogs at Bradenton's downtown adoption center during your lunch break or posting adoptable dog and cat photos on your facebook page or other social media site.

Rescue groups simply want people to start by spaying or neutering their own pets, so if you've already done that you can feel good.

Manatee County has adopted a no-kill philosophy and is working toward reducing the number of dogs and cats killed in the shelter. It's goal is to get to a 90 percent adoption/live release rate by the end of next year. Sarasota County is studying the effort now and is considering a similar measure. Sen. Mike Bennett has also introduced a bill for a statewide no kill effort.

In order to be successful, the effort requires a huge number of volunteers.

Foster families for dogs and cats save lives. Fosters help pull animals out of Manatee County Animal Services which can quickly become overcrowded. Once there's no more room at Animal Services, the dogs and cats who have been in the shelter too long are killed. As long as there is room in the shelter, the animals can stay until they are adopted. 

Rescue groups, such as Royal Rescue, Canine Castaways, Animal Network Inc, and UnderDog Rescue of Florida.

The various groups offer all kinds of fostering opportunities and will match the family to the foster dog, depending on needs. Foster families provide basic care, food, water, shelter and most importantly affection.

But if fostering isn't your thing, there are opportunities to provide transportation to vet appointments, to donate items like collars, crates, treats, litter, bedding and food or assisting at adoption events.

To find a rescue group go to Petfinders and put in your zip code. Talk to the rescue about their fostering program and fill out an application. Snowbirds are welcome to foster while they are in town for the season.