How I did it: I started by volunteering at a stray and feral cat S/N clinic in various capacities such as working in recovery.  Then I started working with caretakers who called for help and then scheduling them for the clinics.  I took training in how to trap stray and feral cats safely and humanely and trapped for caretakers a few times.  I began serving on committees dedicated to fundraising and public relations.  I did some volunteering for a small county humane society in addition to our stray and feral cat spay/neuter clinic so I could compare and contrast techniques and methods.

Lessons & tips: Volunteer work has politics just like paid work.  Animal welfare and rescue groups do not always agree on goals, methods or techniques.  A lot of different skill sets are required to successfully run a S/N clinic.  People who want to help animals are not always good with people skills.

Resources: Internet searches and web sites for Cornell Vet School, Alley Cat Allies, Indy Feral, NY City Eartips, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

Sep 22, 2009, 04:38PM PDT | 0 comments | 2 cheers