Are you an animal lover who wishes you can help them in some way? Organisations that care for animals like Blue Cross and PFA (People for Animals) are always in need of helping hands. You can volunteer to help on weekends, or for a few hours a week. Here are some ways in which you can help.
Offering tender loving care. If you are a dog lover, get out your running shoes and take the canines for a long walk on a leash, within a marked area. Some animals simply enjoy being stroked or spoken to. Animals like horses or cows love being fed with goodies (try a carrot or an apple), but first you must get permission to feed them.

Caring for the sick. Many animals in voluntary animal care centres come in hurt, wounded or very sick. You can help to care for them. You may have to get shots of anti-rabies vaccine and tetanus before working with them. Your work could include feeding weak pups, kittens or rabbits with a bottle, tying a bandage or coaxing these critters to take their medicines!

Feeding animals. Getting meals ready for animals is a long process. While most animals might have a common menu, there are aggressive animals that need separate enclosures to be fed in, sick animals that need special medicines mixed in their food and baby animals who need to be bottle fed every few hours. If you are the not too comfortable working directly with animals, you can help in preparation of their food.

Keeping them clean. Animals are sprayed with chemicals periodically to keep them free of fleas, ticks and mites. Your assistance may be needed to give them a bath.

Want to help? Here are some numbers you can call to find out how you can help.

People for Animals (PFA) – 011-23357088

Blue Cross, Chennai – 044-22354959

-Stephanie Daniel