Hello, welcome to my second action blog post of the semester! I hope you enjoy reading along!!!
1. What action am I planning, and how will I start?
The action I am planning is to help protect animals by volunteering at an animal shelter in Coquitlam. I want to help animals that do not have homes by supporting their care and helping them find loving families. I could help by keeping their environment clean, preparing supplies, or assisting with other tasks that shelter staff allow volunteers my age to do.
To start, I will research animal shelters in my area and contact them to ask about volunteering opportunities. I found the Coquitlam Animal Shelter at 500 Mariner Way, as well as the BC SPCA Tri-Cities centre. The City of Coquitlam currently says that it has no volunteer openings at its animal shelter, so I will also look into opportunities through the BC SPCA. Its youth volunteer program has different requirements depending on age and location. I will ask a parent or guardian to help me with the application if needed.
2. What does “Everything is complicated” mean to me?
I think the lesson “Everything is complicated” means that even when an action seems simple, there are many different factors to consider. For example, helping an animal is not just about feeding it or giving it attention. Some animals may be frightened, sick, injured, or have difficulty trusting people. They may need medical care, patience, and special attention before they can be adopted.
Another complication is that animal shelters have limited space, supplies, money, and staff. They must make sure every animal receives proper care while also trying to find suitable homes for them. It can also be difficult to find families who are ready for the responsibility of owning a pet. I may face challenges when volunteering because I will need to learn how to handle animals safely and follow the shelter’s rules. I might also discover that some animals need more time and care than I expected. I will have to be patient, listen to experienced staff, and understand that helping animals is a process rather than something that can be solved in one day.
3. Is this action sustainable?
I believe this action is sustainable because volunteering can create a lasting positive impact when people contribute regularly. Even a few hours of help can support shelter workers and improve the care animals receive.
For example, I could make a regular commitment to volunteering if a suitable position becomes available. I could also encourage friends and family to support animal shelters by donating approved supplies, sharing adoption information, or learning about responsible pet ownership. However, sustainability also means making sure that I can continue helping without taking on more than I can manage. I will need to balance volunteering with school and other responsibilities. I also understand that shelters need long-term support, funding, trained workers, and responsible adopters. My contribution alone will not solve every problem, but consistent efforts from many people can make a difference over time.
4. Is this action providing opportunity, and how will I make sure I have a positive impact?
Yes, I believe this action provides opportunities for both animals and people. Animals can receive care, attention, and opportunities to find suitable homes. I can also learn about animal behaviour, responsibility, teamwork, and the challenges involved in animal welfare.
To make sure I am having a positive impact, I will follow staff instructions, learn how to interact with animals safely, and respect each animal’s individual needs. I will not assume that every animal wants to be touched or played with. I will also ask staff for feedback so I can improve and make sure my actions are actually helping. I could keep track of the hours I volunteer, the tasks I complete, and what I learn from the experience. This would help me reflect on whether I am meeting my goals and how I could improve my contribution.
Expert I could learn from:
An expert who could help me is an animal shelter supervisor, animal care worker, or veterinarian. These professionals understand animal health, behaviour, safety, and the needs of animals waiting to be adopted. I could contact the Coquitlam Animal Shelter or BC SPCA Tri-Cities and ask whether a staff member could answer a few questions about animal welfare and volunteering. I would ask what animals in shelters need most, what challenges staff face, and what young volunteers can do to help responsibly.
Overall, this action matters to me because animals deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. I know that volunteering will not solve every animal welfare problem, but I believe that learning from experts, being consistent, and helping in practical ways can make a meaningful difference in my community.
That’s all for my second action blog post, I hope you all enjoyed reading and found my actions plan to be helpful in our community and society at large.
