VOLUNTEER
Thank you for your interest in joining our volunteer team! We're looking for people who want to make a difference in the lives of animals. We need friendly, outgoing, and personable volunteers to assist the public, staff, and animals. We recognizes the contributions made by volunteers and are committed to providing a program that offers rewarding opportunities.​
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Volunteers must be 18 or older, pass a background check and attend orientation.
Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas. Most volunteer opportunities are available during our business hours Tuesday to Saturday, 8:00am to 3:00pm. Some opportunities will vary in location and hours. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday.
ONSITE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer opportunities working with animals include walking dogs, socializing/playing with cats and dogs, cleaning pet areas, filling food and water bowls, grooming, and adoption ambassador. Opportunities that do not require hands-on with animals include greeting customers, administrative tasks, humane education, public relations, marketing, fundraising, and graphic design.
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SHELTER/OFFICE
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Opening/Kennel Volunteer: You are the first to say “good morning” to the animals as you help us open our shelter in the morning. This position is hard work and includes providing food and water for our animals, scooping cat boxes, and disinfecting and rinsing our indoor and outdoor dog kennel runs. Other duties, such as administrative tasks, may also be assigned. Applicant must be reliable, hard-working and have great attention to detail. This is hard but rewarding indoor and outdoor work in all sorts of weather.
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Administrative Volunteer: We are always looking for volunteers with great computer, phone, and organizing skills to assist us with the administrative aspects of the shelter. This position involves greeting the public, answering the phone, filing, helping customers fill out lost and found reports, other clerical duties as needed, and doing laundry. Must have a pleasant and cheerful manner, good public relations skills, organizational skills, ability to work in a team, and follow policies and procedures.
ADOPTION AMBASSADOR
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Do you love animals, and people too? Then Adoption Ambassador might be the paw-fect position for you! Ambassadors are key at VVAPL, bringing pets and potential adopters together. You are the first point of contact for members of the public walking through our doors and are vital to welcoming guests by providing information on our animals and services.
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Dog Adoption Ambassador: Want to help adopters meet their “perfect canine companion?” Ambassadors work with dogs and clients helping potential adopters make informed decisions, assisting with animals, and maintaining a clean shelter environment. Ambassadors walk dogs providing exercise and socialization, which helps the dogs put their best “paw” forward as they wait for their new home. We also have a play yard for some good quality time outdoors.
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Cat Adoption Ambassador: Want to help adopters meet their “purr-fect feline companion” and provide a little kitty TLC? Ambassadors work in the cattery to help adopters make informed decisions. Volunteers socialize, enrich, groom, feed, water and maintain clean feline cages helping our cats put their best “paw” forward while waiting for their “purr-fect match”. Other duties include becoming familiar with the adoptable animals, helping to maintain a presentable workplace, informing guests of the standard medical treatments we provide our animals, and assisting adopters with meeting animals.