Do you love dogs? Why not turn this passion into something beneficial and apply to volunteer. There are probably opportunities to help near to where you live or you can also travel overseas to join projects in locations around the world.
Best Volunteer Programs with Dogs
Volunteer Role Summary
Volunteers are needed all year round to help dogs at animal shelters. The minimum stay is usually around two weeks but longer stays are preferable. Roles generally comprise of:
• Daily cleaning of the dog pounds, collection and disposal of dog waste
• Socialising and walking the dogs/puppies in order to make them familiar with human contact
• Caring for sick animals
• Photographing animals and adding content to relevant social media to assist with re-homing and awareness-raising
• Accompanying dogs to the vets for treatment and inoculations
• Assisting with fundraising activities
About Dogs
The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is a domestic subspecies of the wolf and a member of the Canidae family. It is among the first domesticated animal and it always played an important role in the history of the human civilization.
Dogs are used for a variety of purposes: as pets, for police work, for rescue, as herders, or even for therapy. Dogs come in a great variety of shapes and sizes. They have a highly developed sense of smell and an acute sense of hearing. There are more than 400 dog breeds in the world. Dogs are wonderful animals and most of them are kept as pets.
Behavior
Dog behavior is a combination between instinct and environment. Dogs are very social and intelligent creatures. They can learn and solve different problems. Certain dog breeds are considered to be smarter than others. Dogs can also be very loyal and affectionate to their masters. They also like to play, so it is important to buy them good toys. Dogs are omnivorous. They have sharp teeth, strong jaws and eat raw or cooked meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits. Dogs communicate with sounds, scent and body movements.
Reproduction
Dogs are mature between 6 months and 1 year. However, small breeds seem to mature faster than large ones. The gestation period is 63 days. Puppies are born blind and deaf.
Many more dogs are born each year than have homes, so animal shelters are overcrowded with unwanted canines. Spaying and neutering dogs is an important part of preventing homeless or unwanted dogs.
Dog Facts
- The average dog lives 8 to 15 years.
- More than 1 in 3 American families own a dog.
- Dalmatians are born white.
- The normal body temperature for a dog is 101.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Dogs do not have an appendix.
- More than 5,000,000 puppies are born in the U.S. every year.
- A dog’s heart beats between 70 and 120 times a minute.
- The only sweat glands a dog has are between the paw pads.
- An adult dog has 42 teeth.