ADULT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

A wide variety of opportunities exist for adult volunteers.  Some specific programs are listed below, but in most cases, we can tailor a program to meet the skills you have to offer. We have had adults volunteer for everything from snow removal to lawn care to special events.  Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Carol Sumbry for more information about volunteering at the shelter.

Download Volunteer Application


Volunteer Activites:

Dog Socialization/Walkers 
This is a flexible volunteer activity.  Once trained, walkers can come and go, based on their schedules during regular shelter hours.  The dogs benefit from the variety of handlers, thereby learning to interact with many different people.  The exercise helps break up their day and offers a much needed change of scenery. WEEKDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOONS AND SUNDAY HOURS (8-NOON AND 4-6).  ADULT ONLY AT THIS TIME!

Refeeds _NEW!

Work with a staff member during afternoon feeding and pottying the animals from 3-5PM M- F

Skills: Volunteers must be comfortable with cats OR dogs and will work with staff member

Birthday Party Planner 
Organize parties for children 6 - 12. A 2 hour program consists of games, and animal socialization.  Parties are usually on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings or afternoons.  Training is provided.  Must love children and entertainment!  Fun way to help the shelter!  Great opportunity for a parent/child or an outgoing teen!

Cat Socialization 
This is a flexible volunteer activity.  Once trained, socializers can come and go, based on their schedules during regular shelter hours. Our cats benefit from the hugs, petting, grooming and love they receive. This is especially helpful for cats that may be long-term guests, helping them to remain friendly and adoptable.  

Well Bred Bargains

Volunteers needed for our resale boutique in Elm Grove. Must love people!

Transport

Volunteer with truck/van needed to pick up items for our resale boutique in Elm Grove. Pick ups are generally in Brookfield/New Berlin area.

Office Assistants/Administrative Help _ URGENT NEED
We are always in need of friendly, knowledgeable volunteers to help assist our front office staff in their daily tasks.   Volunteers are trained to help answer phones, make follow-up phone calls, organize files, coordinate mailings, and help with other office duties. Volunteers are needed to assist with answering phones 1-6 Monday - Friday,and 11-5 Saturdays. Pleasant phone voice and great customer service skills a plus!

Data Entry
Volunteers are trained to do various forms of data entry from donations to volunteer applications.  Data entry does need to be done on-site at the shelter.

Cleaning - URGENT NEED
We are in need of volunteers to help us do a tremendous amount of dishes, laundry, and cleaning each day.  These volunteers help ensure that all the animals have a clean, sanitary environment to stay in while awaiting adoption—this is critical to the health of all the shelter animals.  Volunteers also help us keep our main office areas clean and organized. 

Foster Care
Volunteer as a Foster Parent for dogs or cats in your home! Foster animals may be too young for adoption, may be recovering from an illness or minor injury, or may need behavioral training.

PetSmart/PetCo/Farmer's Market (spring/summer) Outreach Volunteers - URGENT NEED!!!
Petsmart is our new feline adoption partner! Volunteers are needed to help clean the cat area in exchange for the space. Volunteers are needed for mornings (7-9ish) and evenings (between 6-9pm). This will ensure that the space our cats use is kept clean in exchange for this wonderful opportunity. It will probably only take about 15-30 minutes per visit. JUST ONE DAY A WEEK (with coverage if you are away or on vacation) will help our adoption program!

Our PetCo booth is very important because it gives one adoptable animal each week a unique chance for adoption, and also serves as an important way of providing educational resources on a variety of pet-related topics and communicating with the public about our wonderful companion animals.  PetCo volunteers are needed on Saturdays.

Greeters
Be the first friendly face our clients see when they come into the building!  Volunteers help direct clients to appropriate areas, answer questions, and more. This is a great way to meet new people!  This position has the greatest need after 4 pm on week nights and weekends.

Photographers
We need volunteers to take pictures of adoptable animals for our website and Petfinder listings.  You can use your own digital camera or the shelters to take pictures.

Special Event Committees
Join one of our special event/fundraising committees.  These committees help organize events like our annual Wag Walk (held in September), Art & Antique Fair (held this Spring), Animal Architecture (held this Summer), Adoptathon (held in June), and Hogs for Dogs Motorcycle Ride (held in Fall).  Committees meet on a regular basis and work closely with staff to ensure events are successful.

Special Event Volunteers - URGENT NEED
Assist with local festivals, pet expos, farmer’s market booths, and more. Volunteers should be comfortable interacting with the public.  We also need people to help with bake sales and staff food booths at various events throughout the year.  Opportunities are flexible and vary with events. 

Rabbit Socializers
Volunteers are needed to work with members of the House Rabbit Society to socialize and care for rabbits living at the shelter. 

Thank You Note Writers
We are always looking for help writing and mailing thank you notes following our larger direct mail fundraising efforts.  All materials will be provided and this activity can be done at home or at the shelter.

Errands
We are always looking for volunteers to run errands for us to a variety of places such as the office supply store, grocery store, Farm & Fleet, etc. 

Handymen (or women)
We are always in need of volunteers to help with various handiwork around the shelter including painting, light carpentry, etc.

Landscaping & Yard Work
Volunteers are needed to help maintain the outside grounds of the shelter including mowing, landscaping, and gardening.  If you have a green thumb, we’d love to have you help us!

Pet Therapy
Volunteers are needed visit nursing homes and adult rehabilitation centers with either their own companion animals or animals from the shelter.