I went down to the local RSPCA shelter to find out how to volunteer. Well, I got a less-than-friendly response. The lady (admittedly busy when she said this) said "they should be over there." I can understand why she was busy, as a couple had bought in a cat that was so sick it needed to be put down. But, I couldn't find the forms, and asked another lady, who found them hiding behind a bunch of other pamphlets. The second lady seemed to be bored by the whole thing, and the first lady gave me a sarcastic look, rolled her eyes a bit and said, "I told you where they were."

There certainly was no "thanks for taking an interest" or any of those niceties that one would expect to receive as a potential volunteer for what is an emotionally draining role ...

Not only that, but you also have to APPLY to become a volunteer! On the form it asks all these questions then says, in effect, "if we want you, we'll call you, if not, forget it." It's almost like a job application form, you practically need references! I had none of this when I volunteered for the RSPCA in my home town.

What do they honestly think, that people who don't love animals dearly would vonlunteer? I think the best screening is "face to face" screening through a brief "chat" as it is much easier to lie on a stupid form that it is to lie to someone's face.

It is just too silly for words - I love animals and want to make a difference, but I feel like I'm seriously put off the whole idea - I will get around to it eventually, but it's been three weeks since I picked up the forms ...