It's been a very exciting day for many local nonprofits. Several animal rescue organizations gathered to welcome the community at their first ever Volunteer and Foster Paw-looza event.
17 local dog and cat rescue groups came looking for people who are passionate for pets and willing to volunteer, foster, and even adopt. And they certainly found some.
"Fostering saves lives," said Carrie Brown, Clinic Manager for Options Veterinary Care. "It's a simple thing that people can do that has a tremendous impact in animals' lives. It's super rewarding both personally and for the community."
Some of the organizations that participated include the Animal Rescue Group of Northern Nevada, Enchanted Cat Cafe, Nevada Humane Society, Precious Paws, and the SPCA of Northern Nevada.
Brown says a lot of these groups are in need for volunteers.
"Volunteers are needed in a lot of these small organizations and they enable them to kind of double down on their efforts to save animals lives and to improve their lives," she said.
Brown says gaining more volunteers and fosters can also help with the Washoe County Regional Animal Services that has been struggling with capacity issues, especially around this time of year which she refers to as 'kitten and puppy' season.
"It's kind of a statement of the importance of spaying and neutering your pet. When unaltered animals become pregnant often those animals don't have a place to go," Brown explains.
She says with so many organizations looking for help there's a wide range of services that can be done with volunteers.
"There's all sorts of ways to volunteer for these organizations. Some of them just need people who can help return phone calls, there's something for everyone."
