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Animal Update: Volunteerism

(KCBS) - KCBS' Jeff Bell talks to Dr. Jack Aldridge, Director of Veterinary Services at The San Francisco SPCA, about volunteer opportunities at the SPCA.

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month. Non-profit organizations like the San Francisco SPCA could not operate without the generosity of volunteers. The number of hours that volunteers commit to socializing cats and kittens, taking dogs on walks, assisting potential adopters to meet their new cat or dog, is not only admirable, but also critical to keeping the shelter running smoothly. Volunteers also open their homes to foster young kittens until they are old enough and big enough for adoption. The Feral Fix program at the SPCA also largely depends on the dedication of volunteers to identify, trap for spay/neuter and then feed and monitor feral cats communities. Volunteers also help with Summer camps, dog training classes and in the veterinary hospital. It's the best kind of fun-the kind that does good things for the world.

Most volunteer programs are for those who are 18 and over, but there are also youth programs designed for kids. Along with high school volunteer programs, Saturday beach clean-ups and after school programs.

Volunteer orientation sessions are on campus on the 3rd Saturday of every month. No need to register, just show up. Whether you volunteer for the San Francisco SPCA or for one of the many worthy organizations in San Francisco, please do consider giving back to your community in this way. The web has great resources for finding your perfect volunteer opportunity. Try idealist.org, volunteermatch.org or volunteerinfo.org to start your search.

Animal Update airs on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM on Sundays at 1:35 p.m., 3:35 p.m., and 9:21 p.m.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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