The best things about volunteering happen in the quiet moments when you do something for someone and realize without being thanked or recognized that what you did made life a little sweeter, easier, and safer for another. Sometimes volunteers save lives; sometimes they enrich lives. But honestly, whatever you give is nothing compared to the satisfaction and sense of purpose you receive in return.

April is National Volunteer Month, so I want to take this moment to thank everyone who gives their time, talents, and energy to a cause they feel passionate about. For me, that cause is animals, especially in recent years, cats and kittens.

Passion might be the most important thing that volunteers bring to their work, although compassion is crucial, too. In fact, passion and compassion are two sides of the same coin. Passion is about your feelings and commitment, while compassion is about your sensitivity to the feelings of others. And at the core of compassion is empathy.

In fact, number one on my list of volunteer must-haves is empathy. It’s essential. As Kate Haslbauer, a wonderful fellow Animal League America volunteer, wrote in a recent IG post: “Those emotions described as anger? Grumpiness? Hostility? Those are negative words assigning human attributes to a cat’s reaction to losing everything they’ve ever known. Replace those words with fear, despair, grief, and you have empathy. Show that cat they’re safe and you understand, starting with slow blinks, then adding treats, comfort, play, and you begin to chip away at what once seemed ‘hard,’ replacing it with the softening only trust can bring.”

Besides recognizing the animal’s needs, successful volunteers need time, energy, patience, a strong sense of responsibility, and the desire to nurture. Volunteering for pets is hard work, physically and emotionally. So, you must be willing to get dirty…clean litter boxes, mop up messes, get covered with hair…and also have your heart broken. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you have to say goodbye to a cat or kitten who is too sick or old to be saved. I’ll never forget some of the beautiful little souls who came to me for help, and the most I could do was give them a peaceful ending to their lives. And I believe that’s a precious gift to give.

So yes, volunteering for animals sometimes breaks your heart, but far more often, it heals and enriches your heart and spirit. When you care a lot, it’s easy to fall in love with each one you help, and that’s okay. But at the same time, you must be strong enough to be aware that you’re assisting in their journey to their forever homes. You are a single step in that journey, so you must be able to let go. This part is always challenging for me, so once I hand over an animal to a forever family, I immediately welcome someone else who needs me. That way, I can re-focus and keep on going.

I’m so happy to work with many dedicated and compassionate volunteers at the Animal League of America. For example, not long ago, I heard about Kira, a 9-month-old English Bulldog mix (you know how I love English Bulldogs!) who was surrendered to Animal League America with several serious medical problems, all of which were the result of her not having been spayed. She was in heat with a prolapse of her rectum and a painful nodular growth near her rear end that was tender and ulcerated. Then, during her spay procedure, our doctors discovered that she was developing pyometra, a uterine infection that is life-threatening if not treated. Kira was lucky enough to live with Marilyn McKaie, one of our longtime canine volunteer foster families. With time, attention, and love, Kira’s medical condition improved so much that she was adopted by her forever family not long ago, which means Marilyn can now make room for another dog in need.

Kira was lucky to get the medical care and foster home she desperately needed, just in the nick of time!

I’ve had two inspiring volunteer experiences recently, mainly thanks to my incredible IG community. In late March, I was contacted about a bunny needing rescue in Westbury, Long Island, on the grounds of a small shopping center. I posted a photo and a request for help on my IG, and just like that, several IG friends gathered at the site to try to catch the bunny and bring him/her to safety. I was beyond blown away at the response to my plea for action.

Unfortunately, the bunny was never caught, and several of the volunteers who went to the site questioned whether he was a wild bunny or a domesticated one. My experts thought he was definitely domesticated based on the pics I sent, but seeing him in person made others feel differently. I still have people checking that area to be sure he’s not looking to be rescued.

Just six of the fantastic people who showed up to try to bring the bunny to safety.

Another example of people’s eagerness to help was just a few days ago when I asked for help transporting a cat who’d been thrown out of a third-story building in Manhattan. (!!!!!) I posted a request to transport her to my vet hospital in Long Island, and within five minutes, I had dozens of emails from people ready and willing. It was so heartwarming. Her name is Sweetpea, and she is doing well. She lost a few teeth from the fall, but her bones are intact, thank goodness! And she didn’t lose her sweetness! We are still waiting for her bloodwork.

Sweetpea on her way to the vet hospital(left) and, at right, recovering from her trauma.

Many of the qualities that make a good volunteer also make a good adopter: empathy, compassion, a sense of responsibility, time, patience, and love. Beginning on May 4 with a spectacular kickoff weekend at our Long Island campus, we’re conducting our month-long Global Pet Adoptathon, which we started in 1995! This year, more than 2,000 shelters and rescue groups are taking part…from New York to California and from Australia to the West Indies, all to generate thousands of loving, responsible adoptions. Find a group in your community here.

Adopting a pet is a lifetime commitment, so Animal League America has put together a list of helpful tips for people thinking about adoption. This is such an important step in life that you really must do research to make an informed and responsible decision for the pet and for yourself. Save this info and share it with anyone you know who’s thinking about adopting a new pet.

Adopting the Right Cat

Adopting the Right Dog

By the way, April 19 is National Cat Lady Day, so all my kindred spirits, mark your calendar! Some people ask whether I object to being called a “Cat Lady,” and I do not object, not one bit. Call me whatever you like. Cat Lady. Crazy Cat Lady. I love it because I feel great helping and caring for felines in need. And yes, I like to wear cat and dog pajamas on occasion, and other fun clothes with pets on them. I don’t need to be celebrated for my work, but it is nice to have a day of recognition. So, Happy National Cat Lady Day, fellow cat-loving ladies! Let’s save some more!

xo
Beth

P.S. Don’t forget to join me for Animal League America’s Celebration of Rescue on June 14 in Manhattan. I’m so pleased to be chairing this exciting event, which will shine a light on all the great work we do and all the wonderful people who make that work possible. We’ll present our special Crystal Collar Award to my friend and fellow rescuer, Rachael Ray! Plus, there will be music, an auction, and all kinds of festivities, along with the good energy that comes from being in a room filled with people who love animals. Please mark your calendar and make plans to join me in New York City. I can’t wait!