Good on you! You've already learned how vital "socializing" is. We are so short
on volunteers right now. But we started a program with the Handicapped Adult
center, and two people are brought out on a bus every day, and their job is
"socializing" (i.e. playing with) the cats. It's such a win-win situation. The
other volunteers are freed up to do other tasks. We tended to get so wrapped up
in the necessary tasks, like feeding and cleaning and paperwork, nobody had
time to just spend time with theem. It's important.

Sheerry

Good for you!  I've been volunteering at an animal shelter for almost a year
now, and it is one of the best things I have ever done!  I always wanted to
volunteer at a shelter, but I always had excuses (too busy, etc).  Finally
one day,  a co-worker told me she was going to an informational meeting
about volunteering at the shelter, so I went.  After attending the meeting,
I couldn't wait to come in and scoop litterboxes!  It's important to find a
shelter that is compatible with your philosophies about animals.  I could
never volunteer at a kill shelter, I would end up taking everyone who's time
is up home.  At the shelter I'm at, we technically call ourselves low-kill,
since they will put down cats that are very ill.  They used to immediately
put down in cases of FeLV, but have begun working with a FeLV+ shelter in
the area, and are now keeping + cats in foster care until they can be placed
at the + shelter.

Another good thing about volunteering at a shelter is you have an "in"
somewhere.  I can't speak for how all shelters run, but I know if, say,
there was a stray at my condos and I wanted to rescue him, I have an
immediate network of cat-knowledgeable people and potential foster homes.  I
know the shelter would take him when a spot opened up.

Also, when we were going away for our honeymoon, my cat sitter had fallen
through.  Guess what?  I had right there an email list of about 50 people
who volunteer with cats!  Surely one of them might want to cat-sit!  I sent
the email out, and I had more responses than I knew what to do with.  Plus,
since I had a volunteer watching my cats, I could relax knowing they would
recognize any signs of illness, etc.

Anyway, congrats!  I hope you find it as rewarding as I do.  :-)

I think this is wonderful. BTW, for those who don't have a lot of time to
volunteer donating to the shelter also makes a difference. Many times
shelters could use donations (or even foster homes) to make life a little
easier for the cats. I myself don't have a lot of time to volunteer but do
donate items such as cat litter and food. I also donate money as well and
try to hold drives in order to send money. If you can't donate money then
you can also donate skills and time behind the scenes. Right now I am
putting together another page on our Web Site which will list feline rescue
groups in the Phoenix area because there seems to be a need for it despite
the shelters having Web Sites. The Sites which have listings and phone
numbers of rescue groups are there but hard to always find in a search and
doesn't always list all the feline rescue organizations in the area.

Kudos to you Judy. I think it is wonderful you are volunteering. I am sure
you are making a wonderful difference in the lives of those cats. May many
cats find good and loving homes due to your work.

To the OP,

I wanted to say that it's so wonderful to read that you're going to
give this a try. I've been volunteering at my local humane society
(not a no-kill) for about three years, working with the cats, and it
has been very rewarding. I too am the kind of person who attaches to
things, but I've done very well. In fact, doing this kind of
volunteering has allowed me to help co-workers choose a new cat.

I won't lie; there have been hard times, especially around the
holidays when I realize the cats don't have a home to go to. And I had
to leave crying once after seeing a cowering cat in a cage who was
labeled as a "bite case." However, there have been many wonderful
moments too, such as feeding a two-week old kitten, or seeing a scared
cat come and sit on my lap.

The other volunteers I work with are great; so is the woman who's the
head of the cat socialization program. They genuinely care about the
cats' wellbeing, and that's a good feeling.

Rene