Recruiting Volunteers for Nonprofit Organizations

Volunteer with red parrot. Recruiting volunteers for nonprofits can be important for helping the animals.

In the rush to engage volunteers in our mission, we often forget to do a very important task: Plan for them. Planning for volunteers includes doing an internal evaluation of your organization and its needs, preparing a risk management plan, and preparing the process for all the steps of good volunteer management.

Volunteer recruitment

This guide will help you:

Cat Spay/Neuter: What to Expect and Why It's Important

up close on the face of a neutered tabby cat

Spaying or neutering your cat is one of the greatest gifts you can provide your pet and your family. These routine medical procedures not only help reduce the number of homeless pets, but they also can prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing — allowing your cat to lead a longer, healthier, and happier life. 

Here's what you can expect when you spay or neuter a cat.

Rabbit Housing: Cages, Hutches, Pens, and More

white bunny in wooden rabbit housing

Because rabbits are prey animals, living outdoors even in a secure hutch can be extremely stressful (and potentially dangerous) for them. Plus, it's easier to make a pet rabbit part of your family and socialize with them if they're living with you inside your home. All rabbits love a special place of their own where they can retreat yet still be a part of family life, and there are several options to consider for rabbit housing.

Bird Feather Plucking: What to Know

an African grey parrot with missing feathers due to feather plucking

Feather plucking, also known as feather picking, is quite common in pet birds. Some birds excessively chew their feathers enough to damage them, while others resort to plucking their feathers out. Severe feather plucking in birds can result in permanent damage to the follicles, so the feathers don't grow back. In the most extreme cases, birds will self-mutilate, causing bleeding, open lesions, and infection.

Where Are Puppy Mill Dogs Sold?

Small puppy looking over the shoulder of a person

Each year, millions of people buy puppies through pet stores, the internet, and classified ads. Most believe they are getting a dog from a responsible breeder. But the truth is that a huge number of these dogs probably came from puppy mills, living in cruel and inhumane conditions.

Don't be a puppy mill's next customer; educate yourself about how and where dogs from puppy mills are sold.

What to Expect With a New Puppy

new puppy sitting in a home on soft bedding

You’re thinking about taking the plunge and adopting a wriggly bundle of joy, otherwise known as a new puppy. Here are a few things to expect with a new puppy before you bring your dog home.

New puppy responsibilities

Adopting a puppy is a huge commitment. For one thing, you can’t leave a puppy home alone all day. Most young puppies need to get outside every two hours to eliminate. If the puppy you adopt hasn’t been house-trained, you'll have to work on that skill with them.