Description:
Flex Caregiver volunteers provide care to shelter pets, ensuring their living environment remains safe, clean and as comfortable as possible. This role is a good match for individuals who thrive with varied tasks, can follow an array of directions, are self-directed, and who work equally well independently or as part of a team. Please note, we are unable to change this role to fit applicant requests or qualifications.
We do not offer an option for volunteers to socialize with animals as their only task.
Responsibilities:
- Flex Caregiver volunteers will work with a variety of species, including but not limited to rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, hamsters, and cats. Dogs may become an option for some volunteers after successful demonstration of skills and commitment in other animal areas. We ask that those applying for Flex Caregiver be willing to volunteer in this role regardless of if dogs may become an option for them. This role will not include care of farm animals.
- Volunteers clean, disinfect enclosures, and provide appropriate food, water, litter, toys and bedding along with interacting and socializing with the animals.
- Read regular emails and other communications regarding our animals. Once cats and dogs are added in, emails are daily.
Qualities/Skills:
- Some level of comfort with various species
- Some knowledge of animal body language
- Willingness to clean areas soiled with feces and urine
- Ability to work independently and with other volunteers
- Ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. This role is not a suitable match for individuals who do best with routine tasks.
- Ability to quickly make good judgments, for the safety of the individual, staff, other volunteers, and animals.
- Emotional ability to handle difficult situations involving animals
- Ability to perform physical labor for the duration of shift, use stepladder, and lift and/or pull up to 40 pounds.
- This role requires bending, lifting, reaching, and stooping.
- Allergies to hay or animals must be able to be controlled with medication. We cannot accommodate requests to not encounter a particular species or hay.
- Proficiency in using a computer without assistance, and learning new programs. All volunteers digitally log hours and use an online scheduling function.
Requirements:
- Attendance at a virtual orientation
- On-the-job training
Other:
Reliable transportation is required. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who have their own license and vehicle.
Applicants for afternoon shifts must be especially comfortable prioritizing a wide variety of tasks and have good time management skills.
Most afternoon shifts overlap with open hours, leading to potential interaction with the public. Volunteers applying for these shifts must be comfortable working in public areas.
Time Commitment:
- A weekly 3 hour shift on the same day and time each week.
- Minimum of 6 month commitment
- Morning shifts currently available are Tuesday 7:30am-10:30am, Thursday 7:30am-10:30am, Friday 7:30am-10:30am, and Sunday 7:30am-10:30am. Of these shifts, our highest need is Thursday.
- Afternoon shifts currently available are Mondays 1pm-4pm, Wednesdays 1pm-4pm, and Fridays 1pm-4pm. Candidates for these afternoon shifts must be interested in and capable of eventual cross-training into cleaning dog kennels and assisting with dog feeding.
- We are unable to accommodate requests for alterations to the schedule. Please ensure you will be available for the full duration of a current open shift before applying.
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