Sunday, April 15, 2012

Blog The Change

Today's post is special, because it is sponsored by Blog the Change for Animals. I am writing about a cause that is dear to my heart - volunteering for a rescue group.
  • What have you done to Be the Change for Animals? Most teenagers would not be willing to spend every Friday night volunteering with their parents, to adopt out cats. But I am not like most teenagers. I have been volunteering with Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation since 2005 and helping out in many ways.
                    I have been able to learn many lessons that have made me a better person. When I volunteer, I interact with potential adopters, volunteers, and adults. I am able to answer questions people might have, conduct adopter interviews, play with the cats and help take care of them by cleaning their enclosures and feeding them.
                    While volunteering, I have helped save many lives. At an event one night, a cat’s spay incision came open and her internal organs fell out. Along with the other volunteers, I was able to get the cat to calm down and get her to the vet. Acting quickly in an emergency situation helped save a cat’s life.  I have also helped socialize cats by fostering them in my room. I play with the cats so they get used to people and can go to an adopter. Many cats come into the rescue very scared and need someone patient to work wit hthem.
                    My experiences with the rescue have been very beneficial to me. I am able to have conversations with adults as well as conduct myself in a manner in which adults will take me seriously. I enjoy volunteering with the rescue because I know it makes a difference to the animals that I help save. 
Gizmo, the one eyed kitty who was adopted with her one eyed sister, Sooty (below). Two of the many wonderful cats that I had the pleasure of working with, until they went to their forever home.

  • Who do you know who acts tirelessly on animals’ behalf? Perhaps my favorite part of volunteering for the rescue, is that I don't do it alone; I volunteer with my family and friends. My mom, dad, brother and friends we have made while doing rescue, always join us on Friday nights to volunteer. It is nice knowing that not only that I have my family and friends behind me, but also we share in the reward when we see the animals we take care of, get adopted and go to a loving home.

  • What favorite cause has a special need right now? The best part about volunteering is that we always need more help. Whether we are in need of more volunteers, fosters or caretakers of the cats in the PetSmart adoption center, help is always needed. 

16 comments:

  1. You are part of 'Blogging the Change'...that's for sure!

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  2. Wonderful post, Rachel! I'm so proud to know you.

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  3. Great Job, Rachel. You do good work and should be proud of the wonderful things you do for those in need. I am so lucky to know you and your wonderful, supportive family!

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  4. Your parents must be so proud of you. Thank you for making a difference to those kitties. :)

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  5. Rachel I think Evi summed up exactly how I feel as well...great job and if more teens did the meaningful work that you are doing there would be far less bullying!!

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  6. Great post, Rachel! You are an inspiration, and are not only blogging the change, but being it :) Gizmo and Sooty are beautiful kitties.

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  7. I think if more people learned about rescue and adoption as young as you there would be many fewer homeless pets. I'm sure you are inspiring other young people as well!

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  8. All of you are so sweet, thank you for the beautiful comments. Tearing up a little reading them :)

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  9. Many thanks to you and your family for your commitment to homeless pets! It takes a lot of dedication to give up Friday night fun as a regular routine, even for an adult. I'm a shelter volunteer too and work with 3 terrific teens (who give up their Saturdays or Sundays) to help place cats at our PetSmart. We're also trying to get a bigger teen shelter program going right now. You are an inspiration :-). I stopped by with BTC4A blog hop.

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  10. Great post, and thank you so much to you and your family for volunteering every week to help homeless animals.

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  11. Great post for Blog the Change! :)

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  12. You not only blog the change for animals - you ARE the change! Kudos to you for the most-important work that you do, and best wishes to all the cats in need of homes. It's people like you, doing the kind of selfless things that you do, that truly make the difference.

    Thank you for blogging the change,
    Kim Thomas
    BtC4Animals.com
    CindyLusMuse.blogspot.com

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  13. We agree with Kim! It's people like you who make the difference!!

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  14. This is wonderful Rachel and only reinforces my strong belief that school systems need to institutionalize a curriculum that teaches about pet and animal responsibility. I love what volunteering has done for you and thank you for all your kindness, compassion, and devotion to the cause!

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  15. Thank you for sharing your story Rachel! Rescue & adoption groups need more volunteers like you. Can't wait to share it on our FB page :)

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