It's funny but I started a thread not so long ago asking the same question! Jen and others encouraged me to do it and prepared me for the sadness too. I certainly am no where near as seasoned as a lot of these people but I couldn't stop going to the shelter now. I love it!! Yes, there are times when I wish I hadn't come in that day but I find myself looking forward to my next volunteer night.
The biggest challenge for me is to not let it overwhelm me. There are so many kitties crying and begging for your attention all at once and you only have so many hands. Sometimes I want to just stand in the middle of the room and scream! Then I regroup and do my very best to touch and handle each one.
YES!!! I do want to bring more home!!! I play a game with myself that is working so far. I have nine cats and I gave myself permission to have no more than twelve. An even dozen! Ok, so that means I can have three more right? Each night I'm at the shelter I look around and say ok if I could take three which three would they be. I could not possibly choose three out of the 135 cats that are there!!! Each one is as deserving as the other and guilt keeps me from choosing one over another. This game is working so far!!!!
One more thing and I will shut up...All these wonderful PT people keep telling me what a wonderful job I'm doing and how great it is that I'm helping these kitties and that is wonderful encouragement!! I truly feel that I come home having recieved far more than I have given. These babies give nothing but unconditional love and appreciation for the few minutes you gave them. I don't think I could stop now if I had too.
I think anyone who is interested should try it. If you find that it's not for you then you don't have to go back.