Volunteers
Share your time and talents with others … Become a VOLUNTEER
at the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA!
The Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA is dedicated to the protection, humane treatment and well-being of all animals. We do not euthanize animals for space constraints and receive no federal, state, or county funding. Because of this, we rely heavily on donations which include donations of time generously given by our volunteers.
Depending on the volunteer position, an orientation/interview may be needed. If you are interested in volunteering at CGHS/SPCA we do have a few requirements:
• You must be able to give at least 2 hours a week at scheduled times.
• All potential volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. (Please note, children can NOT volunteer with adults).
To participate in our Volunteer Program please print and submit the Volunteer Application.
CGHS/SPCA is fortunate to receive hundreds of volunteer applications every year and we are very grateful for the support. However, for some of the volunteer opportunities we currently have no openings. We still would like to encourage you to submit an application and as soon as a volunteer spot is open you will be contacted.
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VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Your interest in helping abandoned, stray, and homeless animals is appreciated by everyone here, staff and animals alike. Whether you are working On-Site walking dogs, grooming cats, or helping in the kennels or Off-Site, sponsoring a Food Drive, having a Bake Sale, or working at an event, your dedication makes a big difference in the lives of the animals in our care. We are delighted that you want to help, and that you are willing to share your time, energy, and skills with us.
Adults must be 18 and have a valid drivers license. Children under 18 can join our new Animal Ambassadors Program (see details below).
DOGS
Working with the dogs at CGHS/SPCA is a rewarding and fun way to volunteer. Because the dogs need to be walked regularly and the staff is relying on you, it is important for the Dog Volunteers to be consistent. We have two-hour and one-hour shifts available and ask that you sign on for a specific day and time. Please understand that just “showing up” when it is convenient for you results in extra work for the staff and other volunteers. It can also be disruptive to the dogs’ schedules.
All volunteers who work with the dogs must attend a training class here at the shelter.
Dog Walker: Dog walkers come in to walk the dogs in the mornings or early afternoons. Walking a dog is a great opportunity to help the dogs develop good manners. Dog walking must be done every day, so it is very important for dog walkers be able to commit to a specific day and time. The dogs are depending on you!
Dog Socializer: Dog socializers come in and spend quality one-on-one time with the dogs. Activities may include playing in the paddock, basic Obedience training, loose leash walking practice, or just lots and lots of loving up.
Pet Partner: Pet Partners are people who choose a particular dog to be “their” partner and work one on one with that dog to help him or her prepare for adoption. Emphasis is on improving manners, especially greeting behavior and loose-leash walking. Teaching tricks is a great way to help a dog get adopted and we will teach you how to teach some. When “your” dog is adopted, you will know that your work helped that happen. And you can choose a new Partner!
Reading to Dogs: The “reading to dogs” phenomenon works both ways — research shows that not only does reading to dogs help children improve their reading scores, it is also has a relaxing effect on the dogs! Just sitting in a kennel with a dog and quietly reading to him or her lowers cortisol levels and has a calming effect. So bring a book and get caught up on your reading. No more excuses for not finishing War and Peace!
CATS
Welcome to the Cat House! We have two rooms full of wonderful cats who are waiting for their furrever homes. Volunteers can help them find homes faster by keeping them well-groomed and socialized. A handsome, friendly cat is much more likely to go home than a scraggly, shy one. Volunteers also help us by letting us know how the cats are behaving with each other and with people.
Cat Groomer: A well-groomed cat is much more appealing to adopters than a scruffy one, so our Cat Groomers perform an important service. Cat groomers spend time with 
the cats in Main Cats and Free Roam, brushing and combing and petting the cats.
Cat Socializer: A friendly cat is more adoptable than a shy one. Cat socializers seek out shy cats and kittens and patiently help them get used to being around people by playing, petting, or just being in the room with them and allowing them to approach. Bring a book and read while a cat curls up in your lap!
OFFICE
Like a fast-paced environment? There’s never a dull moment in the shelter office and no two days are ever alike. Working in the office requires commitment, discretion, patience, responsibility, and compassion. A sense of humor helps, too.
Training will be provided. These jobs require a minimum of two hours per day. We need help with the following:
Answering phones: People prefer a real person to a recording, and you can be that person. Take messages, refer calls to the correct staff person, take lost and found reports, answer basic questions. Be a voice for the animals!
Greeters: Greet clients and potential adopters as they come in, direct them to the dogs or cats, take donations, ask them to take a seat if there’s a line and they have to wait.
Filing, organizing, data entry: If you like paperwork, we have it!
Displays: Enjoy decorating for the holidays and special events? We can use help with that, too. We can also use help preparing posters and table tents for our community events.
KENNEL HELP
Whether you’re thinking about a career in animal care or just love working with animals, helping our medical/kennel staff is a good way to get some experience. Volunteers who work with the kennel staff are asked to commit to a two-hour schedule on a particular day. Tasks will vary according to the needs of the staff, and may include the following:
Cleaning: Keeping the animals’ living quarters, food bowls, litter boxes and bedding clean and sanitary is a never-ending task at the shelter. It’s hard work but you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to keep the animals’ quality of life at the highest level possible within a 
shelter environment. Tasks include washing bowls, assisting animal care technicians with the kennels, doing laundry, cleaning carriers and beds and cleaning litter boxes and cat cages.
Exam/Animal Care Assistants: Assist the exam staff with basic animal care, including nail trims, bathing animals, and grooming.
Supplies/Food Bank/Donations: Stocking and organizing supplies, accepting donations, organizing donations, and pick up of donations.
GROUNDS/MAINTENANCE
Like working outdoors? Making things? We can use your expertise! There are many ways to help out around the shelter. Hours and days for these jobs can be flexible, as long as we can schedule a time and day before coming, so we are expecting you and can prepare for you. Also, we may call you with specific projects we have to see if you can help out.
Mowing/trimming in paddock: We can always use help keeping the outdoor areas clean and neat in the warmer months. If you like working outdoors, we can put you to work.
Raking leaves; snow-shoveling: The work doesn’t stop in the fall and winter.
General handy-work: Until we build and move into our brand new shelter, we can use help keeping this one in working order. If you’ve got some handy-type skills, we have the projects.
Building equipment/enrichment materials: Can you make things? Our animals could really benefit from things like Agility Equipment, outdoor platforms, and enrichment toys.
HUMANE EDUCATION
Calling all retired teachers! We are looking to build a corps of teachers/educators to present our Humane Education curriculum in the schools. This program is currently in development. Watch thuis space for more information.
ANIMAL AMBASSADORS (YOUTH PROGRAM)
Our new Animal Ambassadors Program gives children under 18 a way to help the animals, too. Animal Ambassadors help us by giving voice to animals who can’t speak for themselves. Animal Ambassadors can be individuals or groups, such as Scout Troops, 4-H groups, or school clubs.
CGHS Animal Ambassadors help the animals by raising money through activities like bake sales or lemonade stands, putting on Food Drives or Wish-List Drives, having birthday parties where the guests bring gifts for the animals, etc. We also need volunteers we can call on to help us put up posters for events.
Animal Ambassadors receive:
a kit with tips for putting on an event and ideas for events
a CGHS Animal Ambassadors identification card
a photograph and biography of an animal to represent.
a scheduled tour of the shelter and a chance to meet the animals and learn more about their care.
Animal Ambassadors must have their parents’ signed permission to participate. Groups must have signed permission from their adult leader/advisor.
Sample activities for Animal Ambassadors:
Bake sales - Dog Washes – Lemonade Stands - Donation Cans - Pet Food Drives
Wish List Drives – Birthday Parties – Special Events - Making cat/dog toys
