City of Melville’s Post

International Cat Day is a celebration that takes place annually on August 8th. It is a day to honor and appreciate our feline friends, recognizing their companionship and the joy they bring into our lives. Recognizing diverse and fun holidays like International Cat Day can foster a sense of community and engagement among employees. It provides an opportunity to connect on a personal level, share experiences, and create a positive and inclusive work environment. To celebrate International Cat Day at work, consider the following: Organize a "bring your cat to work" day or a virtual meet-and-greet for remote teams. Host a cat-themed trivia or costume contest. Encourage employees to share photos or stories of their cats. Make a donation to a local animal shelter in the company's name.

The first day I volunteered at my local animal shelter, I didn't enjoy it. I happened to arrive at a busy time, there was no one to show me around, and if you've ever heard the sound of 80+ dogs barking, you'll know it can feel intense! I went to help. I wanted to be useful, but as I stood there with people and dogs milling around me, I didn't know how. A more confident person might have grabbed a lead and got stuck in. I'm quite shy in new situations, so I went and hid in the cat house. Much more civilised 😂 Luckily, a lovely and experienced volunteer found me and asked if I wanted a tour. He introduced me to every dog, told me about the rules and routines, and went on my first walk with me. After that, all was well (I now go 4-5 times a week to help out and walk dogs like the gorgeous Glenda pictured above). The shelter is a tiny, under-resourced charity, they need volunteers to function. It's completely understandable that they don't have time for a formal induction. But... how how could they make sure everyone who walks through the gate with the intention to help feels able to? That's something I'm helping them with at the moment: - what to expect when you arrive - setting up a buddy system with a more experienced volunteer - having rules and routines clearly displayed - adding a few words under each animals' name to describe them Volunteers Week is coming up (3-9 June), and if you're planning to recruit new volunteers, you might want to think about how you'll set expectations and welcome people before you design your advert. So, here's a link (in comments) to a useful Better Story blog about just that👇 #Volunteering #VolunteersWeek #CharityComms #AnimalLovers [Image description: Glenda the dog. A medium sized, black, brown and white ex-hunting dog stands happily in long grass looking at the camera. Backdrop of mountains and blue sky.] 

🐾📱 It's Social Petworking Month! 🎉 This June, let's harness the power of social media to help homeless animals find their forever homes. Here’s how you can make a difference: 1️⃣ **Share**: Post photos and stories of adoptable pets from your local rescue or shelter. 2️⃣ **Tag**: Tag friends and family who might be interested in adopting or fostering. 3️⃣ **Hashtag**: Use popular hashtags like #AdoptDontShop #RescuePets #FosterPets to reach a wider audience. 4️⃣ **Follow**: Follow your local shelters and rescues, engage with their posts, and share their content. 5️⃣ **Support**: Highlight fundraising events, volunteer opportunities, and wish lists to support these organizations. Together, we can help more pets find loving homes. 🐶🐱❤️ #SocialPetworkingMonth #AdoptDontShop #RescuePets #AnimalRescue #FosterPets #PetAdoption #SaveALife #HappyPets

Volunteers Week 2024 🫶🏼 This week is National Volunteers Week -time for us to celebrate the amazing contribution people make to the community. 🙌🏽 Volunteering was a gift to me after I moved abroad. It is something embedded in Western societies: it is made a lot more accessible and possible than it was in Hungary (maybe just life struggle was too draining, or I was too young and didn't care to do it? not sure). Either way, volunteering became a big part of my life since 2015. A few great experiences I had, just in case you need ideas: - Sundays in Durrell Zoo: I truly miss being surrounded by animals🐻, cleaning up their areas💩, food prep, or manning butterfly house 🦋 - Bat monitoring: I fell in love with bats big time while in Jersey, so recording their sounds and monitoring bats was a great experience 🦇 -Water testing in Citizen Science Program in Jersey: shocking but hugely important results... Let's not even mention water quality and sewage spillage going on in UK (disgrace)💩 - Sussex Wildlife Trust: I enjoy the HIT squad days clearing hedges, wood chopping, planting native wildflowers or litter picking🚯 - Brighton Permaculture Trust: orchard planting in hail and gale force wind wasn't on my list but I did enjoy it nevertheless! 🍎🌳 - Parkrun: the thing is I am NOT a runner, just tackling a beginners-course, but I either join as marshal (cheering) or tail-walker.🏃🏽♂️➡️ - I try and join lot of beach cleans organised by Leave No Trace, Marine Conservation Society, the Sussex Dolphin Project (their boat trips are fab by the way, if you haven't been yet!) 🐬 I know a lot of people who help other charities, support wonderful initiatives and are doing great things. Huge thank you to all of those who dedicate time and effort to volunteer!👏🏼 Share your volunteering experiences- maybe someone else is just looking for inspiration. Volunteering actually helped me hugely when I struggled with my mental health: so can highly recommend it as a remedy. It gives purpose, perspective, and it is a joyful focus time. 🫂 #volunteersweek #volunteering #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness

As more people are exploring our website and making profiles to start volunteering in the community, we'd like to continue the Intro to Volunteer Peterborough 105. We have a lot of volunteer opportunities on the site, and we know that very few of you have the time to browse through every single one to assess if it's something you can or want to do. That's why we have these wonderful filters. If you have an account, the filters automatically recommend the best possible matches for you, although you are free to check out what else is available. "Skills Requested" is self explanatory. You can scroll through the list and tick every sill you bring to the table. Cleaning, Animal Care, and Handling Money, for example. These preferred skills may match you up with a one-shot "Clean Jackson Creek" or a weekly "help look after the Squirrels at Squirrel Haven Rescue." And there's no rules stating you can't sign up for both! "Causes Benefitted" further narrows the options. If your passion is the environment, it will pull out all the agencies that are endeavouring to save the planet. Combining the Causes and Skills will get very specific results! Again, it's our goal to make selecting opportunities as quick and painless as setting up a playlist. By stating your preferences up front, we make recommendations that match those preferences. Because your time is valuable. We want you to make the most of it. Peruse what's available today! https://buff.ly/3rsamzk Remember: It's ALWAYS FREE for Volunteers! #VolunteerRecruitment #VolunteerHours #CommunityBuilding #Tutorial

From Heartbreak to Hope: The Life-Changing Impact of Volunteering... Volunteering has been a big part of my life since I was 14, when I first started helping stray animals in my community just for the sake of helping my parents feed the society street dogs. I quickly learned that behind every animal on the street is a story, often of hardship and resilience, but sadly, many of these stories end too soon due to lack of treatment, resources, and funds. From rescues after car accidents to nursing animals back to health, from deadly diseases to cases of abuse, I’ve witnessed the reality that so many animals face. Seeing these struggles firsthand has taught me compassion, patience, and the importance of giving back. It’s heart breaking to lose a life simply because help wasn’t available, yet every small effort makes a difference. Today, I’m committed to supporting initiatives that provide medical care, shelter, and a second chance to stray animals. Volunteering taught me that even small actions can create a chain of change, and I’m grateful to be part of that. If you’re able, consider giving back—it may just change your life, too. #Volunteering #AnimalWelfare #GiveBack #MakeADifference #peta #AdoptDontShop #RescueAnimals #SupportAnimalRescue #AnimalRights #SaveAnimals #EndAnimalCruelty #AnimalAdvocacy #CompassionInAction #HumanityFirst #BeTheChange #SocialImpact #Philanthropy #Empathy

Help us in making this vision a reality and be a part of our nonprofit outreach program - Be a beacon of hope and transformation for shelter pets! Want to know how you can help? Visit: https://lnkd.in/eDmyy43a to learn more! 1. Holistic Acclimatization Center: A cutting-edge facility creating a home-like atmosphere for shelter pets, nurturing them to become more adoptable and ready for their forever families. 2. Veteran Volunteer Program: Committed retired homeless vets, our invaluable partners, dedicating their time to build a unique bond with our furry friends and provide them with the care and attention they deserve. 3. Excellence in Renovations: Proudly collaborating with the esteemed Nigro Group Renovations to design a space that transcends conventional shelters, prioritizing the well-being and comfort of our animal residents. 4. Passion-Driven Volunteers: A predominantly volunteer-run initiative, fueled by a shared passion for making a lasting impact on the lives of animals in need. 5. Paws and Pool Oasis: Envision a delightful outdoor pool, creating a haven for dogs during warmer months, ensuring a playful and enjoyable stay. 6. Expansive Play Haven: A secure, fenced-in yard with vast acreage, providing ample space for pets to explore, play, and thrive in an stress-free environment. 7. Certified Readiness: Each pet graduating from our program will carry basic training certificates, showcasing their readiness for a loving forever home.

Volunteer burnout is coming for your team. Thankfully, the actions you take now can cut it off at the pass -- before it burns through your crew and your life. We are the only independent non-profit certification organization that certifies businesses for volunteering their time to wildlife conservation. Trust us when we tell you -- NO ONE is immune to volunteer burnout. Back from the archives, but with an important 2024 update from our Exec. Dir., is our "Burnout: Fighting the #1 Enemy of Volunteer Time" guide. Even if you read it way back "in the before times" of 2019, the principles remain true. We are seeing a new big wave of volunteer burnout across the wildlife conservation space - especially in the volunteer boards of non-profit groups and their chapters. Together, we can get out ahead of this wave and continue giving our full and productive lives for future generations... without destroying the current one. https://lnkd.in/ej35mrTN

At The Functionary, we believe in making a difference through action. From environmental stewardship to humanitarian aid, diversity and inclusion, and animal welfare, our values guide us in creating a positive impact worldwide. Learn more about some of our initiatives here: https://hubs.ly/Q02JDQ660 hashtag #TheFunctionary #SocialResponsibility

What do bags made from reclaimed fishing line, vegan sneakers, and a smart bird feeder have in common? A few things. First, they all make great gifts. I am lucky enough to have each of them and can attest that they are all great and truly bring me joy. Second, the companies who make them — GOT BAG , LØCI, and Bird Buddy — are going above and beyond this holiday season to not only offer you a discount on sustainably made and delightful products, but are also donating a portion of proceeds to help protect and restore the wild via Re:wild. Check out these deals! (Giving a one-time or monthly #donation to benefit #nature in honor of a loved one is a nice gift too. Just sayin’.)