Earlier this season, John and I volunteered for a well-known organization’s annual vaccine clinic. Other organizations sent representatives to offer spay/neuter services. Vets were on-hand for heartworm tests and to provide preventatives. Hundreds of dogs and their caring owners received services they desperately needed but had no realistic way to receive. By all accounts, the event was hugely successful.
Yet, we won’t be volunteering for them again.
When we arrived, one of the volunteers – a board member, it turned out – complained loudly about how disorganized the event was. It wasn’t thought out. The venue wasn’t good enough. What was the organizer thinking? This would never work. What a mess. But, whatever. She’ll just do as she’s told. Big huffing sigh. She went on and on all day long to the other board members, to other volunteers, even to one of the pet owners. The organizer arrived late and didn’t introduce himself – no “go around the circle” even. So, we got to work, plowing through the day. John’s station had two other women who spent the entire time smoking and chatting and telling him to go do this and that. The two other people assigned to my task left halfway through the day. At the end, as we prepared to leave, the woman from before snapped to us that we needed to help with tear down. So we did, then we left.
We drove three hours round-trip and had to hire pet sitters for our own herd to do this event, and it was such a bummer.
But, before you think this is going to be a super negative gripey post, I promise I’m going somewhere with this…
I’ve been thinking about giving.
This time of year, we’re hit from every angle. People feel charitable around Christmas, and organizations are desperate for money, so it makes sense. And, don’t get me wrong, holiday money is vital to keep nonprofits afloat.
But not everyone is in position to give financially.
And, this time of year especially, we’re sometimes made to feel bad about that.
Over the years, we picked a few organizations we strongly believed in and scheduled donations to occur throughout the year. When Emmett got cancer, we had to scale back. When I got cancer, we had to cut out charitable giving altogether. Which sucks because it’s not like the organizations we helped needed any less help, but damn, cancer’s expensive.
So we’ve been focused on continuing to give… but give of our time.
There isn’t a single nonprofit out there – animal welfare or other – that doesn’t need more hands on just about any given day.
In the interest of a happy, guilt-free holiday, I encourage you not to let those Sarah McLachlan commercials get you down or those piles of mailers – Christmas cards! free calendars! ornaments! gifts tags! – make you feel like a Scrooge.
Instead, think about other ways to give. Time is a good one. We’re going to continue to volunteer for other local organizations, despite the crummy experience at the last one. I’m researching options right now. If you’re a blogger, the Pet Bloggers Gift Exchange is a good one (and today’s the last day to sign up!) Drop your extra leashes or pet supplies at your local shelter. I’m sure you guys can come up with way more, way better ideas than I did! I guess my point, after several conversations with people who are feeling bad this Christmas, is don’t! Don’t feel bad! Do what you can do, and be proud of it!
Any other ideas? I’d love to hear yours!
In the meantime, John found this little angel today, running down the bayou in the middle of nowhere. I’ve already taken her to the vet. We’re hanging onto her for the time being, but if anyone’s looking for the happiest, sweetest little puppy, message me {info at ohmydogblog dot com} for details!! I’d love to get this girlie a home for Christmas!
Some organizations have really odd people running them. Unsure of why wanted to get into non-profits.
FYI a lot of organizations, like the ASPCA, that say they need money don’t really.
Non profits, even SPCAs have to constantly generate funds to cover expenses, because believe me, adoption fees don’t scratch the surface of expenses. So I’d say the above statement is not correct.
But it’s true that non-profits truly rely on the generosity of time. Volunteers are the backbone of helping these organizations run along with donations of not just money but goods. Our shelter accepts nearly any type of goods as donations and if it can’t be used by the shelter itself, turns around and assists community members who need a hand.
I often wish I could donate more time and money but at times have to be satisfied with what I CAN do and not focus on what I’m not doing enough of.
Exactly!! And, truly, what you can do IS enough!
Divorcing guilt from giving is a great point, and one that should be made more often. I was once made to feel guilty by a person because I volunteered at the SPCA (instead of at a homeless shelter, or an organization that helped humans), and it really hurt at the time, but I’ve never let that discourage me. This is what brings me joy, and I DO believe that animals help people in significant, intangible ways. And so that’s how I will give — and no one will make me feel guilty about it anymore!
Wow. What a bummer! I don’t get why some people lay on the guilt when you’re HELPING! Sigh.. some people are never happy. But doing what brings you joy is THE most important thing, and you shouldn’t ever feel guilty about it. Good for you!
It does sometimes seem that for every loving person who donates time as a volunteer, there is one who is determined to instill negativity into the whole thing. And the guilt inspiring expensive mailers and commercials so often are produced by organizations with more money than the US treasury. But there are so many organizations in need who do appreciate the time we give to help. I always encourage people to support local shelters.
I guess there are just negative people everywhere. It’s such a bummer, but I suppose it’s just the reality. Ah, well. I’m with you on local shelters – there’s a bottomless pit of need, so those are great places to give of time, money, or donations!
Blessings on you Maggie. Not less than 30 minutes ago I stopped my car in the middle of a busy road in town and tried to get a dog running in the road. Thank God the “Owner” ( she said she and another lady were sharing the dog, because the people next door moved and left the dog in the now vacant back yard) drove up and the dog ran to her car. However, he climbs up and out of their chain link fence*&#%@#% so what to do????????? Keep caring and do what we do for those who have no voice. Thanks for caring Maggie and doing what YOU and John do to give a voice to those in your part of the world.
PS: I think Abby, from the above comment , is an awesome “human”. You go girl, do what makes your heart sing and never never look back.
Oh, jeez. That is so sad, but thank you for stopping and trying! This little lady, who we’re calling Miss Molly, is so fantastic… she is going to make a family VERY happy!
And PS, I totally agree!! Abby is awesome! 🙂
I feel your disappointment Maggie. My daughter and I tried to volunteer at the spca, it’s a very long story but basically they did not want volunteers, they wouldn’t even accept our applications. I was very disappointed, as was she. She is almost 16, has had her own pets, which she saved money to buy, took in other rats that we’re no longer wanted, trained, loved and cared for those critters better than any other human possibly could, gave up eating meat at the age of 9, walked dogs in the neighbourhood and has dog sat while people were away. she is the ideal volunteer for an animal rescue. It really is their loss because she would’ve been happy cleaning small animal cages and litter boxes.
I also have a difficult time making monetary donations to a lot of organizations, whether they are animal, or medical or research based because the amount of money that goes to pay salaries and administrative costs is huge, and only pennies go to the kids, animals, homeless etc.
Here’s what I’ve been doing, sometimes it’s just a few dollars at a time but it adds up.
I am still a supporter of the spca but will only donate if they have a pitti that needs to be shipped out of province, they have separate fundraising for them, usually a donation box on their cage. I will drop off dish soap, bleach, wet cat/dog food etc.
The other thing I do is when Cash goes to daycare, I pay with cash and the change goes to Just n Time, the rescue that is run out of the training/daycare facility that Cash goes to. We have also volunteered when they have rescues that need handlers for dog classes.
Lastly our vets office does complimentary nail trimmings for a donation. If you bring in a nonperisible food item (which is donated to the food bank) or you can donate money to their “we care fund”. It’s perfect for me, I don’t have to worry about trimming Cash’s nails short or ripping out the bunnies nails, they provide a service that I would be paying around $14 for. By donating that money to the fund, it helps a client out that might not be able to pay for their pets treatment. Win-win!
Why do we feel like what we’ve given isn’t enough?
We could devote all of our income, all of our time, give a thousand percent all the time and still feel like it’s not enough, that you could do more and unfortunately it’s because there will always be a need to help animals or the homeless or hungry kids or find a cure.
We have to remember how many things we do daily.
Your blog helps so many, your training tips, advice, insight, medical experiences, the funny posts and priceless pictures etc.
Your boys, daily reminders of the difference you’ve made. Your black beauty, Newt, another example of a life saved and the difference you and John have made to one little life (and possibly many many stray kittens) The donations you make from your blog posts. (your blog is your source of income, how many people do that?)
I think sometimes we look for that big thing, that big contribution and forget about some of the day to day things that we do that make a difference.
Wow. That is really sad. Your daughter (and you, of course!!) would’ve been such a passionate, dedicated volunteer. What a sad message to convey to a young girl. Such a disappointment!
Thank you for the kind words. Truly, I really appreciate it! I love what I do – getting to write about pets and the animal/human bond – and you are absolutely right. We all do what we can do! Thank you, sincerely, for the encouragement and kindness!
I scour Petco and PSP (with coupons in hand) for clearance dog and cat foods to donate to my favorite shelter. Same goes for treats and toys. I also give them the treats and toys we don’t use from our BarkBoxes.
SUCH a great idea!! We always have extra coupons for this and that… I’m going to start collecting them to apply toward purchase for the shelter. What a fabulous suggestion, Rebekah!
Some people really do sour volunteering–I was dog walking for a local pit bull rescue for a while, but no matter what I did, I was made to feel completely inadequate. They made me feel so bad for “only” walking three or four dogs that I finally quit going altogether. These days I’ve switched my in-person hours to a human charity that is a real delight, and I send money to a local animal charity that puts it to really excellent use.
Good luck finding little lady a home!
Yikes. That’s so sad. I’m really glad that you found organizations to support that are fulfilling. It’s so hard to feel unappreciated!
And thank you! She is SUCH a darling! We’re calling her Miss Molly, and she is completely darling. The happiest puppy I’ve ever known!