ADULT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BARK BUDDY
Dogs in the shelter need friends to talk with and to take them to the Exercise Yard for a good game of "toss-the-ball-over-and-over-again." In addition, some dogs need help with their manners, and volunteers may help teach them basic commands. Aside from exercising, Bark Buddies perform a lot of customer service as they assist potential adopters. The work can be very hot, dirty, and physical, but it is very rewarding when you see a dog go to their forever home! Shifts are available Monday thru Sunday, only during our hours of operation. All shifts are a minimum of three hours, and volunteers must donate eight hours per month.
CRAFTY CRITTERS
Here’s a flexible, mostly-at-home, volunteer opportunity for creative people. Do you like to sew, knit, crochet, or do other types of crafts? The pets need volunteers who can sew hiding curtains for cat cages, knit or crochet small comfy mats to cuddle up on in their cages, or make homemade toys for the dogs and cats to play with. You can work at your own pace and on your own schedule. We will provide patterns/instructions, but ask that you provide your own materials and deliver your finished products to one of our two shelters.
CREATURE TEACHER
Teaching children and adults about responsible pet care and our agency is an important step to bettering our community. Creature Teachers are individuals who thrive on the challenge of engaging the interest of people of all ages. The educational experiences take place during tours and programs at the shelters, including our children’s camps, as well as directly in classrooms and other outside venues. Depending on the specific environment, some Creature Teachers work independently and others work alongside one of our staff Community Educations. For safety reasons, Creature Teachers must pay for ($10) and successfully pass a criminal background check.
Weekday and/or summer availability preferred due to the number of requests during these time periods.
FOSTER PARENT
Even with wonderful shelters at the SPCA of Central Florida, some pets have special needs that are best met by being cared for in homes of Foster Parent volunteers. Young animals, animals recovering from illness or surgery, and animals of families in crisis are just some of the pets who thrive in the homes of Foster Parents. Foster Parents animals at home must be spayed or neutered and up to date on all vaccinations. In order to become a Foster Parent, you must have an area in your home to separate foster pets from your personal pets. Foster Parents must also be willing to transport foster pets to the shelter for any medical treatment. Volunteers may choose which type of animal that they would like to foster in their home.
HOSPITAL HELPER
Our vet clinics are some of the busiest in our community and a great place for being involved in the animal health care profession. Hospital Helpers work alongside our skilled veterinary technicians as they support SPCA staff vets. Depending on the skills and interest of the volunteers, Hospital Helpers do what needs to be done – from the simple (filing, cleaning cages, doing laundry, helping to move animals) to the more complex (wrapping and autoclaving surgical packs, helping to monitor pets in recovery). Hospital Helpers need to be OK with the sights, sounds and scents of a vet clinic. All shifts are a minimum of three hours, and volunteers must donate eight hours per month.
Hospital Helpers must first have been Bark Buddy or Kitty Cuddler OR have substantial animal handling experience from previous volunteer or professional work.
KENNEL COACH
Crazy dogs and cats have a hard time getting adopted. Help calm the “kennel crazies” by becoming a kennel coach. Volunteers will help enrich our temporary residents’ stay here by training them, helping distribute toys and other fun items, and maybe even do a little agility work. All shifts are a minimum of 3 hours and volunteers must donate 8 hours a month.
KITTY CUDDLER
Who says cats are independent? Not us! Cats and kittens need lots of attention to help them adjust to temporarily living in a shelter. When volunteers hold them, pet them, play with them and talk with them, it helps the cats put their best "paw" forward, and it helps potential adopters see their individual purr-sonalities. As a Kitty Cuddler, you will assist with keeping the cats social, spot clean cages, and help potential adopters select a new family member. Shifts are available Monday thru Sunday, only during our hours of operation. All shifts are a minimum of three hours, and volunteers must donate eight hours per month.
OFFICE WIZARD
Typing and mailing and labeling - OH, MY! Behind the scenes of the agency are volunteers helping staff manage the information and paperwork needed to support our programs and services. Office Wizards help with mailings, assembling event materials and data entry. Hundreds of pieces of information are routinely entered into our database so we can keep in touch with our supporters. Shifts are available Monday thru Friday, 9 - 5pm and can be scheduled whenever volunteers are available. Intermediate computer skills are highly desirable.
PARTY ANIMAL
There's more to managing a successful fundraising event or a community project than just making a contribution. Each event, whether large or small, takes months of planning. Party animals help solicit donations needed for the special event, raise community awareness, and help develop and/or distribute promotional materials. At an event, volunteers greet guests, take photographs, sell tickets, serve as ambassadors, set-up, clean-up……all Party Animals must be flexible when they volunteer for an event as jobs will be rearranged the day of the event. Party Animals are required to volunteer for at least 1 event per year.
PET FOOD XPRESS (PFX) VISITOR
Senior citizens on fixed incomes are able to feed their companion animals without sacrificing their personal nutrition because of this program. PFX Visitor volunteers pick up and deliver food containers of pet food to the elderly on a monthly basis. For safety reasons, PFX Visitors must pay ($10) for and successfully pass a background check, and have a good driving record as you will be visiting seniors' homes. Also, you must enjoy spending time with and talking with senior citizens. Willingness to transport seniors' animals to our medical clinics is helpful as well.
Please note: “Volunteer positions for this program may not always be available depending on the number of seniors enrolled in the program. Please contact the volunteer manager to find out if volunteers are currently needed for this program. This program is only available in Orange County.”
PET VISITATION PROGRAM (PVP) TEAM MEMBER
Anyone who has ever loved a pet knows there is comfort – and even healing power – that can come from the unconditional love of an animal. As a PVP Team member, you and your own family pet will bring joy, education, companionship, and stimulation to people in need. PVP Teams routinely visit sick children, brain-injured patients, and senior citizens in facilities that have contracts with our organization. Volunteers must be will to purchase a background check ($10.) All pets must first obtain liability insurance through a national group such as Therapy Dogs International, Delta Society, or Therapy Dogs, Inc. For safety reasons, pets must be at least 18 months old, spayed or neutered, and up to date on their vaccinations. Each PVP team is required to make a minimum of two visits per month.
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