Spring is a time of renewal, reinvention, and reinspiration.  So my question is this: What have you done recently to serve your community?

It’s easy to forget about volunteerism as the weather warms up, school draws to a close, and spring sports seasons get fired up, but are those truly acceptable excuses?  Our communities, neighborhoods, and cities are crying out for help.  Let’s face it: There’s a ton of hurt in the world today.

Muhammad Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth,” and I can’t help but agree with him.  What are we contributing to if not to our own backyards—our sources of education, entertainment, empowerment, and VOICE?

Check out this other amazing quote from Charles F. Kettering, an inventor.  “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover.”

Get inspired! Get out there and use your voice, talent, and heart to make those memorable changes you seek in the world, for the world has been waiting for you.

In honor of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, here are some animal charities you may want to consider:  

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a conservation organization that you’ve probably heard of. They work to conserve both endangered lands and animals. To help the WWF, you are given the opportunity to “adopt” an animal of a certain species, for $25, $50, or $100 (in return, you are given “gifts” such as a certificate, photo, or stuffed animal, depending on the amount of donation).

What would Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month be without The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)? The ASPCA is an organization dedicated to helping abused, unwanted, or neglected animals, and helping educate people on proper pet care.

Many of you have heard of SCRAPS animal shelter in Spokane. Since this is a local charity, you not only have the choice of donating money, but volunteering at the shelter as well (which I highly recommend, if you haven’t done it). SCRAPS often receives injured animals, but does not have a veterinarian on staff, so it relies completely on donations to treat the animals in its care. SCRAPS is also holding a Chocolate Festival & Auction on Friday the 17^th, at 6:30 pm at

Cat Tales is a local organization that takes in large cats (such as tigers and lions), as well as some bears. As far as I know, Cat Tales does not have volunteer opportunities (it’s not hard to figure out why they don’t want you walking the tigers), but they do offer opportunities to donate or “adopt” an animal of your choice.  

If you are interested in volunteering with animals, most of the local animal shelters, and many vet offices, offer volunteer opportunities. A simple phone call will be able to tell you whether they have openings available.  

Before you go out and donate, I really have to stress the importance of learning about the organization you plan to support. Sadly, there are some “charities” out there more focused on money than on helping out, and other organizations may support something you are passionate about, but may execute demonstrations, etc., in a way that you do not agree with. For instance, PETA supports ending cruelty to animals, but it also disagrees with the keeping of animals as pets, and would prefer to see an animal put to sleep rather than “enslaved.” Read this article to help you chose an animal charity.

Here is a list of more animal charities and organizations.