Volunteering at the Annapolis SPCA is a great way to help animals who are struggling without homes.
The Annapolis SPCA is a no-kill shelter and there are many different ways to help the animals who stay there until they find a home. The first step to volunteering is signing up on the Anne Arundel SPCA website at aacspca.org. Then volunteers attend a class that goes over the basics of dog walking and socializing the cats in the cat room. After that you are free to go and help out whenever you want.
Volunteers play a big role in helping the animals stay happy while they are at the shelter.
“We greatly depend on our dedicated volunteers to help us care for our homeless animals and have a variety of opportunities available for volunteering,” The AASPCA website states.
There are many different ways to help out at the shelter, volunteers can “Brighten a shelter dog’s day by taking him or her for a walk on our 5.5-acre nature trail at the headwaters of Back creek” or socialize the cats in the Cat Room.
Some volunteers like to help the shelter dogs, “Our volunteer dog walkers make life better for our shelter residents and enjoy a nice walk for themselves” the AASPCA website says.
There are two dog rooms, one for large dogs and one for small. Newer volunteers or those who aren’t as comfortable around dogs can walk the smaller dogs but volunteers can always stick to the cat room.
Another way to contribute as a volunteer is to socialize the cats in the cat room. According to the website, “Socializing with them helps make them more adoptable and better pets.”
The cat room has about 45 cages and some have multiple cats in them. There are kittens from as young as 9 weeks to elderly cats as old as 15 who all need to find a home. There is also a little “Playground” where you can play with some cats who are tired of being cooped up and need to blow off some steam.
Dogs and cats aren’t the only animals that need help, according to their website, “Our petite-suite residents – rabbits, guinea pigs, rats mice, hamsters gerbils and the occasional ferrets or chinchillas love to be petted, groomed and shown affection.”
The “Petites” are kept at PAWS at the mall which is at the Westfield Annapolis mall and volunteers can help there too.
Volunteering isn’t the only way to help out; some can donate, foster, adopt, attend fundraisers and special events.
“Each year we host several events throughout the year to help support our animals and further our mission of providing shelter, rehabilitative, and medical care for animals in need.”
Some upcoming events are The Walk For The Animals which is held in Quiet Waters park this spring, and the Puppy Plunge which is held each August in Camp Letts in Edgewater.
Volunteering does count as community service hours but only if you have contributed for over six months. Check out their website for opportunities to volunteer at https://aacspca.org/.
