Our volunteer program is a great way to spend time, help your community and make some animals (and yourself) very happy. Volunteers play a critical role in keeping our animals healthy and happy,
thereby improving the quality of their lives while here at the shelter. Volunteers help with everything from animal handling to stuffing envelopes. We offer many opportunities. Listed below are
critical positions where your help is needed.
KENNEL AND CATTERY CARE:
Are you able and willing to commit to a regular weekly schedule? This position allows you to "get down and dirty." Kennel and Cattery Care Volunteers play a key role in maintaining happy and
healthy living conditions in both our dog kennel and cattery. Animal Volunteers assist in all aspects of animal socialization and duties relative to whole animal care. Morning shifts are
available in the cattery and the dog kennels every day of the week rain or shine starting at 8:00am. This might be the most rewarding position within the C.A.R.E. facility. Your duties include
kennel maintenance, cleaning litter boxes, walking dogs and brushing cats. Then spend some time with the cats and/or dogs helping to improve their social skills while providing them with exercise
and mental stimulation. Animals happy to see people are more adoptable. This is a good opportunity for those that and enjoy direct animal contact.
FOSTER PROGRAM:
Fostering for C.A.R.E. helps to provide a homeless dog or cat with a loving, caring temporary home until a "forever" home and family is found. Fostering an animal is a big
responsibility and is not to be taken lightly.
FRONT OFFICE RECEPTION:
We never get a second chance to make a first impression! Do you enjoy working in an office environment? Volunteers are needed to greet the public and answer their
questions, direct visitors, help comfort people in distress over pet-related issues, and educate as appropriate. The phone rings a lot here. Since we deal with live animals, some callers
can be quite emotional. Your smiling face can make a difference to someone who has lost an animal or is looking for a new companion. Please note that additional training to gain familiarity
with our policies and procedures will be required. Volunteers are needed Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
CLERICAL:
Volunteers are needed to work behind the scene to help support a number of shelter areas. There is always a need for volunteer help with computer data entry, filing, proofreading,
preparing bulk mailings, and copying. Volunteers can also help by distributing C.A.R.E. brochures and flyers to public libraries and staffing information displays at community and sporting
events. If you enjoy this type of work but cannot commit to a specific weekly schedule this could be the job for you.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE:
Let us put your ""handy" skills or green thumbs to us. We have lots of ongoing maintenance projects we can use your help with. Several of our flower beds could use a bit more loving care
than they currently receive. And there is weeding, mulching, trimming and watering. If these are the types of things you enjoy doing, we can put you to work Tuesday through Saturday from
9 am to 3 pm.
PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL TRAINERS:
Many of the animals turned into shelters have been admitted due to behavior-related issues. Yet, many of these issues are common and can be easily remedied with time and consistent
training. If you are a professional trainer we could use your help working with our dogs on basic commands and to work on more challenging issues as needed. Help is needed Tuesday
through Saturday morning or afternoon.
OUTREACH AND FUNDRAISING:
As a not-for-profit agency, C.A.R.E. must rely on contributions and the support of our surrounding communities. We must work daily to raise the necessary money to care for our animals.
Here are some of the ways you can help.
- Your experience in "grant writing" or that of "chairing" community and marketing events such as fashion shows, auctions, raffles, etc., could be invaluable to us.
- Help us with or host your own fundraising event. Each of our special events provides a diverse range of opportunities to use your skills and creativity. And there are a number of smaller events
which are simply a fun and easy way to send an afternoon or an evening.
- Staff a C.A.R.E. booth or information table at local community and marketing events throughout the year and help promote our programs and services.
- Do you enjoy public speaking? Your communications skills could help us elicit support for the shelter. Our Speakers Bureau makes presentations to various businesses,
organizations and civic clubs about our mission and programs, and works "hands-on" educating the public on topics such as pet adoption, cat/dog care, spay-neuter, and other animal-related issues.
PET WEB:
The C.A.R.E. website is a valuable venue for promoting the adoption of homeless pets. It is often the starting point for many people looking for a pet. In order that the information on our site is
current and accurate and to help place animals awaiting adoption, volunteers maintain the list of animals available for adoption by taking, preparing, and uploading digital pictures of the animals
for posting on the web and other media outlets. They also write and upload creative and descriptive blurbs to represent the animal's personality. As a "Pet Web" volunteer you have the opportunity to
directly impact the number of animals that are adopted by the shelter.
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS:
We encourage high school and college students to volunteer their time in support of the animals. Volunteer time at C.A.R.E. can be used for credit toward Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship requirements.
Students must meet an age requirement for consideration to volunteer. Please contact the volunteer coordinator with any questions.
For additional information about any of these volunteer opportunities please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (813) 645-2273 or
VolunteerCARE@aol.com.
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