We could not help our pets without our volunteers! Your efforts make a tremendous difference. Thank you in advance for your interest in helping the pets we save together!

We are currently in need of volunteers to help in the office, grant-writers, daytime cleaners, and people to help organize fundraisers. Do you have some extra time to spare? If so, please complete a volunteer application and attend a volunteer orientation. The next orientations are Tuesday, June 22nd at 4:45 and Saturday the 26th at 9 AM.

Foster Care: Provide temporary care and shelter for litters of kittens, pets recovering from surgery or who have special needs, or any pet to help make room available at the shelter for incoming rescues.  We need foster homes for kittens, cats, puppies and dogs.  Foster care SAVES LIVES! Every pet that is in foster care means one more pet we can save at the shelter!  Read more about fostering here.
 

Fundraising: Become a member of our fundraising team and raise much needed money to help the animals in our care. 

Petsmart/Petco:  Volunteer 2-4 hours one Saturday or Sunday a month to visit a store with adoptable pets and network with the public by answering questions, collecting adoption applications, volunteer applications, etc.

Post for Paws (EASY & FUN!): Receive a biweekly email with a document attached that lists adoptable pet photos and bios.  Print and post in a community location of your choice (grocery stores, churches, schools, your place of employment, etc. but please ask permission to post first). 

To be added to our email list, please email Tracey at postforpaws@savingpaws.com

To view a current Post for Paws listing, click HERE.

Cage Cleaners(Shelter Volunteers):  This volunteer opportunity is hands on with our rescued animals. Responsibilities include refreshing food and water, scooping litter boxes, changing newspaper and linens in the cages, etc. (Our dogs go directly into foster care and we don't have any hands-on volunteering with them at this time.)  You will also help with keeping the shelter itself clean by loading/unloading the dishwasher, sweeping, mopping, etc.  

Shelter Care Volunteers must:

• Be fourteen (14) years of age or older to volunteer with a parent and sixteen (16) years of age or older to volunteer alone.
• Be able to commit to six hours of service per month for six months.  Many volunteers choose to stay longer than six months, and the six hour minimum still applies.
• Be able to commit to scheduled volunteer times on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
• Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift, and stand for long periods while working directly with the animals.
• Attend required training classes. 
• Have a genuine concern for the welfare of cats.
• Be able to complete multiple tasks, have good communication skills and be able to follow shelter safety protocol as outlined in the volunteer orientation.
• Be self-motivated and have the ability to make appropriate judgment calls, asking questions when necessary. No specific tasks will be laid out per shift.
• Have a willingness to work with all cats, regardless of appearance.  A sick cat is not always a pretty cat, but they may be the one most in need of your love and attention. 

Please note:

• Experience with cats and knowledge of feline "language" is preferred but not required.
• The shelter is not seeking temporary volunteers at this time. 
• Not all individuals who apply are accepted into the volunteer program.

Volunteer orientation provides an overview of Shelter policies and guidelines, and serve as an introduction to the various volunteer programs.  All volunteers are required to attend an orientation session before volunteering at the Shelter. 

We are currently seeking shelter volunteers for daytime shifts.

If you would like to be an on-call backup volunteer for a shift not listed please let us know.

Application Process

Please note that not everyone who applies is accepted into the volunteer program.  The steps below are part of the screening process.  Each step is used to determine if our volunteer program is a good fit.

• Email volunteers@savingpaws.com or call (920) 830-2392 and confirm an appointment to come out to an orientation at the shelter which includes an overview/history of the shelter and and training of proper cleaning and care procedures.  April orientations are on Monday, the 12th and 19th at 4:45 or Saturday the 17th at 9AM.
• Applicant fills out and submits the volunteer application.  We run a criminal background check and contact two references of your choice.
• Depending on what you choose to volunteer for, you will be working twice with an experienced volunteer.
• Following successful completion of orientation and training you are now an official volunteer and ready to save pets!

Currently a Saving Paws cleaning volunteer?  Click HERE to view this month's Cage Cleaning Schedule.  Please email us if you need to make any changes.