I really want to be a veterinarian, but my parents would much rather me be a doctor. My mom feels that helping people should be my top priority. She just doesn't get why I would rather volunteer at an animal shelter than with the Red Cross. And speaking of animal shelters, I am having trouble finding one nearby where minors can do things other than socializing kittens, and my mom doesn't want me to "waste my time doing that". Plus, she doesn't have her heart in the search for one where I can really contribute. Any advice?

I love animals to death. I totally think that animals should come second!! but dont they already? cuz what else would come second? i dont know so someone reply to my opinion cuz i dont know. They should of corse come second.

Why should they be respected as more? That's unfair to the rest of us.

I think that animals should be treated like humans, and should be respected more.

help both, animals and people. Humankind is your own kind so that should come first, but that doesn't mean that you can't help animals. Volunteer work is great and very rewarding, conservation work also. Contact some local places, there is a lot about different volunteer work online you can look up.
As for your mom, its her opinion, shes not wrong or right, but she cant tell you what and who you want to help, thats your choice, though she might argue until you're 18 she has complete control but so long as you dont let any volunteer work get in the way of whatever it is that is priority to your mum then it should be cool.

If you wanna just work with fluffy animals for volunteer work you might be wasting your time, a lot of people are already wanting to do that and so you wont have as great a chance of joining in.

Who cares what your mom says? If you want to be a veterinarian, be a veterinarian. We need those guys just as much as doctors. (Maybe more...I'm not really a fan of most doctors, and yes I'm currently on the track to become a nurse. Ironic, I know).

I volunteer at a hospital, and one of the people there (she's a retired lady) also volunteers at an animal shelter, where she runs the front desk. You might be able to do that. Dunno. There are actually possibilities that you could volunteer at an animal hospital/ vet clinic. Try looking on volunteermatch.org to find something in your area for your interests.

Personally I think animals and people are all equal . And i think that you should ignore what your mom wants. Its not her choice. Try volunteering at shelters and pet stores!

I worked at a shelter for six years (just because my mom was the boss) and we used volunteers to walk dogs, play with the cats, etc. Look in the local phone book under shelters or animals.

As far as the job/internship goes, you might be able to find a local vetrenarian (ie. not a shelter, but a clinic) who employs assistants for some of the lower level stuff. I know some friends who worked at vets in high school. Mind you, its not glamorous work but you get paid and work around/with animals.

Minors can't do much of anything at many shelters because of liability issues. Though what were you looking to do? They don't take volunteers on the medical side of the house though I'm sure they could use dog walkers and the like and of course all the critters need attention.

As to your career I can only say "Give'em Hell". When you know what you want to do you need to stick to your guns and not let anything on the face of God'd green earth sway your from your path. You choosen to start walking the veterenarian's path, stay the course and achive that which you have choosen to try for. Your folks may thing otherwise but, you know what? it's your life live it your way.