Why You Should Volunteer at Stray Cat Alliance
By Noah Etoka
If you’re a student who loves cats, you know that a downside of going to USC is the limited interaction with them in the city. In fact, there are few opportunities to be with animals at all, apart from the squirrels on campus, the pop-up petting zoos hosted by the school to help us destress before finals, and the occasional lost coyote (reminder: do not approach). You’ll probably have even less luck where you live, as it’s hard to find housing both on and off campus that allows pets. As a cat person this can be an especially difficult experience.
So, if you want to spend some one-on-one time with our furry friends, I recommend looking into Stray Cat Alliance. It’s a cat rescue that is just three stops away from USC on the metro. There are so many benefits to becoming involved with the rescue, and I'm here to help you learn why it could be the right choice for you.
Here are a few reasons why you should volunteer at Stray Cat Alliance.
It’s very flexible.
I’m a part of the Cat Care team at Stray Cat Alliance, which provides food, water, and socialization to cats and kittens. Shifts for team members are up to 2-3 hours long, but you choose whichever dates are available, so there is a lot of flexibility in scheduling. You can also volunteer as you please, whether that means once a week, once a month, or randomly. This makes it easier for me to go regularly, because I get to set my own schedule. Any help is appreciated, and the staff at Stray Cat Alliance understand that people are busy!
It doesn’t have to be a massive commitment.
Owning a cat is a long-term commitment, and you might not feel ready to make such a big decision as a young adult. That’s why being a volunteer at Stray Cat Alliance is the next best thing. Similar to fostering, you get the joy of interacting with cats without the pressure of deciding whether you’ll take any home. It’s also the closest thing to pet ownership without the stressors of needing to care for one 24/7, like unexpected medical costs. Also, while you’re there, the cats receive your full attention. When you’re gone, their physical & social needs are still met, and they are in good hands at the rescue.
It helps build your experience.
Unlike a job, you have a choice over which things you do for volunteer work. At Stray Cat Alliance the skills you receive may be a little unconventional, but some experiences in life are meant to build you up as a person, not only contribute to your career. If you’re not the biggest cat person but you want to be better acquainted with them, you’ll learn so many techniques on approaching and being around cats. Being a volunteer isn’t the easiest, and it does involve opening a lot of cans, scooping up litter, and listening to very vocal cat demands. In turn it’s helped me increase my stamina, patience, and compassion.
It’s free therapy.
One of the better things I’ve done for my mental health is volunteering. Helping at Stray Cat Alliance is especially therapeutic, and contributing gives me a sense of purpose and responsibility. Studies show that petting cats can reduce stress, improve your mood, and ease loneliness. Once you’ve done the work of feeding and cleaning up after the cats, you can pet as many as you want and listen to them purr.
If you have pets at home that you miss, helping out similar animals will help you feel more connected to them. And above all, the feeling of doing something good overpowers any fears a person may have going into this volunteer opportunity.
You get to make a difference in the community.
That feeling of doing something good also goes both ways. It can seem like a small impact, but with each cat cared for, fostered, or adopted, you legitimately change someone’s life for the better. Because Stray Cat Alliance is a nonprofit, they need all the help they can get. So much of what they do is only possible because of their dedicated staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to ensure that every animal is taken care of. You could be a part of that noble mission and help give back to the LA community.
Not convinced? If you’re still not sure about volunteering, you probably have a valid reason to not go. Here are a few reasons I hear frequently, and some responses to them.
“I’m mildly allergic to cats.”
So am I! The Village Target has antihistamines available for less than $10. Take a tablet before interacting with any cats and you should be fine. However, if you’re deathly allergic, ignore this advice, and please don’t risk your life.
“I don’t want to go alone.”
It’s alright if you’re not used to doing things without other people. Entering new situations can be scary. You’re not the only one, though, most of the volunteers I see at Stray Cat Alliance are there alone. It’s also the perfect volunteer opportunity for introverts. You don’t have to talk to anyone if you don’t want to, and you can work all by yourself.
“I’m not sure about volunteering, I’ve never done this before.”
To become a volunteer, you attend an orientation that is pretty thorough. For my first two shifts, I was also paired with a more experienced volunteer, and you can always ask them or any of the staff/other volunteers for help. I’ve been told they see a lot of USC students at the rescue, so they’re used to showing new people around. The best part about being there is how eager everyone is to help you learn.
If you’re still not sold on it, that’s okay. I’ve been at Stray Cat Alliance for almost two years, but it’s not for everyone. Enjoy the cat pictures and know that you can always volunteer your time elsewhere!
