Do you want to give back to your community, but aren't sure where or how to start?

To make it easy for you to connect with organizations in need, Patch is running a special end-of-year series, The 12 Days of Volunteering. Through Dec. 31, we will bring you one volunteer opportunity a day from a local nonprofit group. 

Day 7: The Humane Society of Pinellas

Are you an animal lover? Volunteers have many important jobs at the Humane Society of Pinellas. Sure, it makes a difference to adopt a homeless animal. But the volunteers keep the dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals healthy and safe at the shelter. They feed, socialize and tend to these orphaned, abandoned and sometimes abused pets. They are their friends.

Volunteers can help by spending a day once a week, once a month or once a year helping out. There are numerous ways to get involved to suit all types of schedules and personalities. According to the Humane Society's website, volunteer opportunities include:

• Adoption counselor/shelter ambassador
• Animal behavior and enrichment
• Dog bathing
• Foster care
• Adoption center cssistance
• Fundraising/special events
• Humane education
• Photographer
• Small wonders assistant
• Maintenance 

Adult direct animal contact volunteers commit to two or three hours per week. Other volunteers can help throughout the year. Teens, upon acceptance, are assigned an area of responsibility and work a shift twice a month. All volunteers must be at least 16 years old. 

For information, email Bobbie Bauwin or call 727-797-7722, ext. 237.

The Humane Society of Pinellas is at 3040 State Road 590 in Clearwater. 

About this column: This special 12-day series looks at ways residents can volunteer and make a difference in their communities in 2012.