Volunteer
Got some extra time on your hands? Volunteering can be a truly rewarding and fulfilling way to make the most of it. Not to mention, you’ll be surrounded by dozens of snuggly pets just waiting for love and attention! Whether you enjoy walking dogs, socializing cats, or helping behind the scenes with cleaning and organization, there’s a role for everyone. Every hour you give makes a real difference in the lives of animals in need-and you might just make some new furry (and human!) friends along the way. Join us and be part of something meaningful!
Animal Care
- Dog Walker: Walking dogs is a great opportunity to help them develop good manners while providing much-needed exercise and enrichment. Dogs must be taken on 15-20 minute walks along the road (weather and dog dependent), allowing them to stretch their legs, practice their sniffing skills, and take care of some business. These walks are extra walks for our adoption dogs, not in place of our staff.
- Dog Socializer/Enrichment: These shifts are designated to AM only. Ready to spend some one-on-one time with our pups? These shifts are designed to give our adoption dogs extra enrichment, including playtime in our paddocks (if available), light training, and, of course, plenty of cuddle time in our viewing rooms.
- Cat Socializer/Enrichment: A friendly, confident cat is often more adoptable than a shy one. Cat socializers focus on helping shy cats and kittens become more comfortable around people by patiently spending time with them through gentle play, petting, or simply sharing the space and allowing them to warm up at their own pace. Cats who need additional support may be assigned by a supervisor for extra TLC. Volunteers are responsible for documenting the progress of assigned “focus cats” and completing required cat assessment forms.
- Kennel/Cattery Assistant: Each pet area gets deep cleaned daily, so keeping the animals clean, fed and happy is a never ending task at the shelter! You’ll get your hands dirty, but you’ll walk away with the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping keep the overall wellbeing on our animals at it’s peak! You’ll be responsible for deep cleaning your own pet area, whether it’s dog kennels or a cat room. These tasks must be completed by 11:30 AM daily. If completed early, you may be asked to assist our Kennel Technicians duties such as laundry, dishes, cleaning cat carriers, etc.
- Grooming Assistant/Bather: Grooming and overall hygiene is no less important for animals as it is for people; that’s where you come in! Grooming assistants will be responsible for brushing our cats and bathing our dogs. Each dog bather must shadow Julie – CGHS’s certified dog groomer – for at least ## baths prior to bathing dogs alone.
Client Care
- Matchmaker: What’s more satisfying than matching an adoption animal to their forever family?! Matchmakers will assist potential adopters in finding that perfect pet for their home. Candidates must be able to commit to a minimum of 6 hours a week and have trained with our Adoption Counselors for one month.
- Animal Services Concierge: People would rather speak directly to a person rather than leave a voicemail. Animal Services Concierges will be responsible for basic office duties such as taking messages, directing phone calls, answering basic questions and greeting clients when they come in. You’d also be responsible for directing potential adopters to our various cat rooms or the dog hallway.
- Filing, organizing and data entry: If you like paperwork, we have it! From Microsoft programs to the old fashion file system, there’s always paperwork to be done.
- Party Animal Assistant: In the winter months, CGHS birthday parties are very popular! You’d be responsible for party set up/break down, bringing a CGHS dog into the party for a meet and greet as well as a tour of the facility and Q&A with the party goers.
Facility & Logistic
- Shelter Aid: Keeping the shelter clean and functioning is no easy feat, so Shelter Aids will assist in the day-to-day operations of the organization. Duties include laundry, washing dishes, cleaning bathrooms and overall spot cleaning. (These duties will be designated when the schedule is made.)
- Supplies/Food Bank/Donations: The shelter is a fast-paced environment, and maintaining adequate supplies is essential to keeping operations running smoothly. Volunteers help ensure that animal care areas and our Free Pet Food Pantry remain fully stocked. Responsibilities also include sorting, organizing, and putting away donated items.
- Pet Chauffer: Transporting animals to and from the vet as well as to Pet Connection.
Specialized & Events
- Photography: Assisting the Director of Development or Social Media Manager in taking captivating photos of adoption pets or events.
- Event Support: Events are a great way to get out in the community and showcase the adoptable pets we have and the services we offer. Volunteers will be responsible for representing CGHS at events, so a strong understanding of CGHS and the services we offer is required. These events range from big to small, indoor and outdoor, onsite or offsite. Volunteers will be responsible for setup and breakdown and everything in between. Dog handling experience is preferred.