Volunteer
We Love Volunteers! Volunteers 16 and younger must have a parent/guardian with them at all times and must be at least 12 to walk dogs. Cat volunteer training is set up on an individual basis and dog walker volunteer training is held the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, 6:00 pm sharp.
A signed waiver of liability is required for each volunteer and FOPAS requires that direct animal caregivers commit to a regular, weekly schedule. This is for the safety of the animals and volunteers. The majority of dogs coming through our shelter are large, strong and sometimes have a history of abuse. This translates into some being afraid of children, or men, and we take every precaution to ensure our volunteers are mature enough and strong enough to work with them directly. For the cats, many come in frightened and should not be immediately handled. Regular caregivers learn the routine and get to know the strays as we work with them prior to adoption.
For those unable to commit to a weekly care schedule, mobile adoptions offer a more flexible schedule. If this is of interest, it involves sitting with the dog or cat, providing water, grooming, etc., and talking with the public about the animal in your care and our policies/procedures.
Junior volunteers often prefer fostering animals with their family; collecting donations for our strays and then visiting the shelter to meet some of those they have helped; or helping with special fundraisers, such as Paws in the Park Dog Walk Festival.
A signed waiver of liability is required for each volunteer and FOPAS requires that direct animal caregivers commit to a regular, weekly schedule. This is for the safety of the animals and volunteers. The majority of dogs coming through our shelter are large, strong and sometimes have a history of abuse. This translates into some being afraid of children, or men, and we take every precaution to ensure our volunteers are mature enough and strong enough to work with them directly. For the cats, many come in frightened and should not be immediately handled. Regular caregivers learn the routine and get to know the strays as we work with them prior to adoption.
For those unable to commit to a weekly care schedule, mobile adoptions offer a more flexible schedule. If this is of interest, it involves sitting with the dog or cat, providing water, grooming, etc., and talking with the public about the animal in your care and our policies/procedures.
Junior volunteers often prefer fostering animals with their family; collecting donations for our strays and then visiting the shelter to meet some of those they have helped; or helping with special fundraisers, such as Paws in the Park Dog Walk Festival.
Foster Families are always needed. Food and medical bills are covered by the shelter. We do ask that you are able to transport the animal to Saturday adoptions.
Volunteer Duties:
- walk dogs at shelter during PM cleanings/weekend AM and PM cleanings
- clean the shelter weekdays PM/weekend AM and PM/holiday AM and PM
- clean cat shed weekdays AM and PM/weekend AM and PM/holiday AM and PM
- transport pets to and from the vet to shelter or boarding facility shelter van provided if needed)
- attend Saturday pet adoptions at both Petco and Petsmart
- answer telephone messages on the shelter line
- foster a dog or cat
- plan future fundraising events
- pro-bono legal services
- and MUCH MORE!
Monthly Volunteer Meeting
Join FOPAS volunteers on the 3rd Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm, at 1356 NW 9 Hwy. Questions? Don't be shy. New volunteers are always welcome!