My journey into volunteering started with a simple donation. Cat food that my picky cats didn't like prompted me to visit Revelation Gardens. I was just going to drop it off and be on my merry way but there was something about the place. There were cats everywhere, in every nook & cranny. They weren't in cages. They were walking around begging to be petted. There were kittens wrestling on a huge overstuffed dog. There were older cats sprawled out on the sofas. There were juvenile cats chasing toys & each other. It seemed like a magical place unlike any other animal shelter I'd ever been in.
After playing with a few of the rescues I was asked if I ever considered volunteering. I had not! I filled out the form anyway figuring I would go in a day or two and then probably never go back. I never was a joiner and as my 2nd grade teacher pointed out "stays to herself & does not interact with others". Here it is almost 4 years later and I'm still volunteering. I guess I just do better with animals.
There is so much more to do than just scooping cat litter, though I've done my fair share of that. Sure there's the regular everyday chores like feeding & filling water bowls. But there's also sitting with and socializing the rescues so they are ready to be adopted. There's brushing and observing behaviors to know when one of them is getting picked on or isn't feeling well. There's paperwork, computer work and yard work. There’s painting and repairs and walking the dogs. And when one of the really scared rescues learns to trust you and lays down in your lap for the very first time... it's all worth it!!!
If you need a purpose in life or just want to pet a few grateful animals, come visit Revelation Gardens. I guarantee it will make a difference in your life & the lives of these sweet rescues. It certainly has in mine!
