Saturdays at the animal shelter

Two years ago, a friend asked me to help at an animal shelter on the edge of the city. I agreed, mainly because I wanted to get out of my flat at weekends. I did not expect that becoming a volunteer would change the way I spend my free time, and even the way I see people.

My first morning was not what I imagined. I thought I would spend the day playing with puppies. In reality, I spent it cleaning cages, washing bowls and carrying heavy bags of food. The work was dirty and tiring, and by lunchtime my arms were aching. Still, the staff were so friendly that I decided to come back the next Saturday.

Over time, I got to know the animals. One of them was a thin brown dog called Mit. Someone had left him tied to a tree near a market, and he was terrified of people. For weeks, he hid at the back of his cage whenever I came near. I learned to sit quietly beside him and wait. It took a lot of patience, but one day he walked over and put his head on my knee.

Volunteering also taught me a lot about responsibility. A dog cannot tell you when it is sick or lonely, so you have to pay attention to small signs. Many of the animals at the shelter had been bought as cute presents and then thrown out when they grew bigger. It made me realise that a pet is a promise for ten or fifteen years, not just for one happy birthday.

Last spring, a young couple adopted Mit. They send us photos of him sleeping on their sofa, and I am full of gratitude every time I see them. If you have a few free hours each week, think about giving them to a local shelter. You do not need special skills. You just need to turn up, work hard and be kind.