Three Debunked Excuses for Not Volunteering

If you follow our Facebook page, blog or frequently visit our website, then you probably know about the countless of opportunities available for volunteering for our cause…but somehow we always find ourselves short on volunteers.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say:

Oh, that’s so great you volunteer with such-and-such. I’ve always wanted to do that.

I just love dogs! I wish I could foster like you!

I’m a huge advocate of rescuing dogs. Do I do anything about it? Well, no, I don’t have the time or money.—as she sips her third martini during the second happy hour of the week.

If people volunteered as much as they wished, dreamed and hoped they could, we would have enough volunteers to instantly solve our country’s issue of homeless cats and dogs.

Today, I’m going to debunk any excuse you may have for not volunteering for Dogs 2nd Chance Rescue Group. Beware: You will be volunteering after reading this…

1. I don’t have the time.

Unless you don’t wear a watch or carry around your phone like a dog with a bone like the rest of us do, then you do have the time. Literally.

Everyone has the time to volunteer, let’s be honest, you just aren’t making the time. Even if you are a working mom of four, opportunities abound.

Instead of taking your kids to the park.. or wherever parents take kids now-a-days…bring them along with you to one of our Saturday Meet-and-Greets. I mean, puppies, what kid doesn’t want to play with puppies? Plus, it’s a great learning experience for your children. They will learn the art of volunteering their time, how to properly care for a pet, and the experience of watching a puppy find his forever home.

College student? I got that one too. Again, puppies. What better way to de-stress from your studies than taking a one-hour break to play with one? Puppies!

Working recent graduate? Go to bed one hour earlier on a Saturday night, just once this year, and wake up early enough to volunteer at our Sunday Microchip Events. They don’t even start till noon, gives you plenty of time to work off that hangover and meet everyone for Sunday Funday Brunch.

Stop saying you don’t have the time; just make the time. Giving back is essential to being a complete and successful person in our society, and it doesn’t take much to do it. You make plenty of time for other activities, it only takes 1-2 times every few months to volunteer for Dogs 2nd Chance.

Plus, puppies.

2. I don’t have the money.

Contrary to popular belief, dog food, vaccinations and toys don’t fall from the sky once a month. It costs to run a rescue, and it costs a lot.

Usually, the individuals who post a photo of a lost dog, or a abused pit bull or a blog post about rescuing every single day are the ones who never give a dime to the cause.

I get it. Times are tough, the economy is down, jobs are scarce. But if you’re going to do the talking, it’s time to do the walking.

Put down that pumpkin-spiced latte.

Walk away from the counter.

Donate that $5 to Dogs 2nd Chance Rescue.

Yup, just $5. If everyone gave up one delicious fall coffee drink (gasp!) and donated their savings to Dogs 2nd Chance, then we can continue to do the work that you like to tell everyone about, and we won’t even take the credit for it.

We aren’t asking for a big Publisher’s Clearing House check with balloons, just a few bucks here or there. Every little bit helps while your obsessive posts on Facebook do not (well, okay, some do, but let’s do both things, all right?).

3. I can’t foster a rescue; I already have a dog.

You and about 47% of the rest of the country already have a dog so if everyone who “already has a dog” didn’t foster, well, we would be overrun with feral animals or euthanization would be trending.

Here’s the beautiful thing about fostering when you “already have a dog”. Most of the hard work is done for you. Your dogs play with each other so walks become less frequent, your dog “teaches” the foster how things around the house goes so training becomes easier. Your dog also keeps this foster company, so social anxiety? Out-the-window.

Taking a second dog into your home is easier than you think. Ask anyone who has two dogs and they will say second dog is always a breeze. There’s very little extra work involved with bringing a foster home, plus, it’s temporary, sometimes only a week. If you put forth the effort of “marketing” your foster dog, you’ll be surprised how quickly they can find their forever home.

The results are SO rewarding and even fostering just once this year will help the cause tremendously.

Plus, puppies!