Want to volunteer and make a difference in your community? Are you able to give a little love and care to local animals that have only known abuse and neglect? One of the best places to volunteer is in your local animal shelter or animal rescue. Collecting much needed items is an easy way to volunteer. Rescues have limited funds and need to provide for numerous animals.
Lately, I have had the honor of working with local animal rescues in Saginaw, MI. The youth group from First Presbyterian Church, Saginaw took a collection. I volunteered to deliver the items.
I met with Renee Yake, the Director of Lifelines 4 K-9’s. This family operated rescue’s mission statement is simple – LIVE, LOVE, ADOPT! Save as many dogs and puppies as possible from shelters and mistreated homes and place them in warm loving homes.
“We are a non-profit rescue that is dedicated to helping and saving as many dogs and puppies as possible.” Yake told me. We specialize in pit bulls and pregnant mommas and newborns.
The First Presbyterian Church youth group recently volunteered to help with a Lifelines adoption event and saw several puppies go to there “furever” homes. Renee not only needs help during adoption events but because the animals are not kept in kennels she needs foster families to house them.
“Everyone who joins our team becomes a part of our family.” Renee stated. Since founded in 2011, we’ve treated every dog that comes into our rescue like they are part of our family, they are kept indoors not in kennel or shelter type environments. We strive to give every animal a second chance at life that they would normally not get.”
For more information on volunteer opportunities and becoming a foster, please contact Lifelines 4 K-9’s at PO Box 2196, Saginaw, MI, 48605. Phone 989-717-1916. Visit their website or email .
I met with Carrie Partlow, the founder/director of Pawz 4 Life Animal Rescue, Inc. A no kill, All Breed Rescue helps and adopts out cats and dogs rescued from a variety of situations, located in Saginaw, Michigan. Their goal is to rescue and rehabilitate animals and place them into loving, life long homes they deserve.
Pawz 4 Life was started to help unwanted and abused dogs all over Michigan and Ohio.” Partlow stated. “We are a small group of volunteers with big hearts. All of us have several years of experience helping the innocent animals who cannot speak for themselves. We joined together to fight the battle against unwanted, abused and neglected cats and dogs. All of the animals that come into our rescue will receive vet care, basic training, rehabilitation (if needed), and are fostered in individual homes as indoor pets, not a shelter or kennel type environment. We feel this is a much better way to socialize the animal and fully prepare them for there new home.”
Pawz 4 Life currently needs volunteers to foster families to play a critical part in saving an animal’s life. Volunteers are always needed to help with adoptions events and fundraisers. Volunteers should be at least 14 or accompanied by an adult. Please contact Pawz 4 Life at PO Box 20134, Saginaw, MI, 48602. Phone 989-928-4489. Visit their website or email.
Whether you walk dogs at a local shelter, stuff envelopes for a mailing or assist with a fundraising event, you can make a difference in the lives of these pets. Becoming a foster “parent” to an animal is a great act of kindness and generosity. You will give an animal a safe, loving home, or take care of an abused or sick animal; helping them cope with the terror they might have endured. Can you open your heart and home to an animal in need?
NOTE REGARDING FOSTERING AN ANIMAL:
Animals received into most rescues are placed with foster families who play a critical part in saving an animal’s life. Foster families are volunteers who generously open their homes to animals until a new home can be found for them. There is no time limit on foster care while the rescues attempt to find permanent homes for the animals. Rescues do ask that the foster homes commit to caring for their animal until a permanent home is found. Many rescues will supply each animal with vet care and food (when food contributions are donated). There are too many homeless animals out there.
If interested in fostering:
*You must be 21 years or older
*Current animals in home MUST be spayed & neutered and up to date on vaccines.
*If you DO NOT own the home you live in, or rent, rescue directors will need landlords name and number or the person who does own the home, to verify that you are allowed to have an animal.
Visit Animal Rescues of Michigan for a list of all animal rescues to find one in your area.
