Volunteer at the Animal Shelter: Get Involved
How To Volunteer
Our volunteers are our most important asset and they do a remarkable job helping us take care of the animals. Our volunteers help us in almost every aspect of our day- to-day operations.
Volunteer Positions:
Dog Walking
Help keep our shelter dogs happy and healthy! Much of their time is spent in a kennel and they need a chance to stretch their legs and receive individual attention. Exercise provides mental stimulation and relieves the stress of kenneling. We have volunteers walk dogs on the Adoptable Side and Stray Side of the building. During each dog walking shift, all available dogs must be walked. Volunteers considering dog walking should be comfortable with dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages. Volunteers need to be 16 years old, able to read kennel cards, transfer dogs in and out of their kennel, and handle dogs of all sizes during a short walk. The time commitment is two hours per week for 6 months or longer. All dog walkers attend a group training seminar to learn the specifics of the position.
Cat Care
Spend time helping our cat staff during the morning cleaning shift. Clean cat kennels and cat colonies on the Adoptable Side and Stray Side of the building. This position involves handling the cats, giving fresh food and water, and changing litter boxes. This position requires volunteers to work a 2 hour morning shift once a week for at least 6 months. Cat care givers need to be able to kneel to clean lower cages, bend over, lift cats, lift large bags of litter and cat food, read the cats' kennel cards and follow verbal instructions.
Adoption Counselor
Minimum age is 18. Assist visitors in their search for a great companion. Be familiar with the animals available for adoption. Encourage visitors to complete an Adoption Survey so we can match them with an animal meeting their lifestyle. This position requires advanced training and a commitment of at least one year. AC shifts are 3 hours in length. We encourage volunteers to spend time in direct animal care for a month before making this commitment. Additional training is provided
Canine-ality Assessor
Find out what personality each of our adoptable dogs has by performing this test. Knowing a dog's "Canine-ality" is helpful in creating the perfect match! Interested volunteers must be especially comfortable with dogs.
Each dog is evaluated individually using elements of this test. Additional training is provided.
Feline-ality Assessor
Find out what personality each of our adoptable cats has by performing this test. With an overwhelming number of cats at the shelter for adopters to choose from, knowing a cat's "Feline-ality" helps them stand out! Additional training is provided.
"Borrow a Dog"
Our dogs love the opportunity to take a quick break from the shelter and head out on the town with a volunteer. Each week a list of dogs that would do well playing at a park, going for a jog, or checking out downtown is sent out in the "Weekly Round Up", and posted outside the Volunteer Office. Current volunteers are welcome to take a dog for an hour or so anytime we are open. Guidelines for borrowing a dog are posted outside the Volunteer Office.
Headstart Training Program
Do you love working with dogs in a positive, interactive way? You can help our dogs that are in need of manners to learn good "in kennel" and "out of kennel" behavior. This means teaching them to sit, lie down, and stay. The ability to walk on a loose leash and not jump up on people is a huge step in both becoming adopted and staying in the home. Many dogs are adopted or purchased as cute little puppies, but don't receive training. If they are large and high energy, they can become out of control juvenile delinquents. Headstart volunteers are required to take a regular 2 hour per week shift for a minimum of 6 months.
Special Events
Volunteers help at special events showcasing Bloomington Animal Shelter adoptable dogs and cats. During the summer months, we take 4 dogs and a litter of kittens to each Farmer's Market. Special event requests are sent out in the "Weekly Round Up" each week, so keep your eyes open!
Photography
Help our animals get noticed by taking pictures of our adoptable cats and dogs! Pictures are used on Petfinder, Adoptable Pet Posters, and Facebook! Pet photographers should commit 2-3hours a week and have lots of patience to capture a good quality photo. Feel free to use your own camera or borrow ours!
Pet Descriptions
A funny or clever pet description can help an animal stand out! Spend time each week getting to know our adoptable cats and dogs, then write about them from their perspective. Pet descriptions will be used on
kennel cards, Pet Finder, and Facebook.
Pet Descriptions
A funny or clever pet description can help an animal stand out! Spend time each week getting to know our adoptable cats and dogs, then write about them from their perspective. Pet descriptions will be used on kennel cards, Pet Finder, and Facebook.
How to get started:
Thank you for your interest in volunteering. However, due to a large number of recent volunteer applications, there is currently a wait list for volunteers to attend an orientation. Wait time could be up to 3 months before you would be scheduled for an orientation. If you would like to be added to the wait list, please complete an application. Applications are available at the shelter or online (you will leave this website).
If you are interested in coordinating a group project at the Shelter, please be aware that due to our space limitations we can not accommodate large groups. Also, due to our daily schedule of tasks that must be completed, we are only able to accommodate a small number of group projects each year and those must be specific projects that will meet a current need we have. Projects will need to be discussed on a case by case basis with the Volunteer Coordinator.
You can contact our Volunteer Program Director, Jenny Gibson, at 812-349-3872 or email her at gibsonj@bloomington.in.gov.
If you are required to do Community Service or Restitution, DO NOT complete a Volunteer Application. There is no application for community service and you do not need to schedule your hours in advance. However, we must receive a copy of your Community Service paperwork, usually from the Probation Department, before you can begin any hours. That paperwork can either be faxed to us at 812-349-3440 or you can bring it with you on your first visit. Our hours are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. As long as we have your paperwork, you can come to the Shelter any time during those hours and check in at the front desk to log your hours and receive an assignment. If you have any questions, please call 812-349-3492.
Spotlight Services in Volunteer at the Animal Shelter
Become an Animal Shelter Foster Guardian | |
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Provide a temporary home for animals in need while they await adoption. |
Spotlight Webpages in Volunteer at the Animal Shelter
Animal Care and Control | |
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Animal Care and Control home page |