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	Are You Interested in Helping to Care for the Homeless Animals in Santa Cruz County? If so, there are some guidelines we want you to know regarding volunteering with Santa Cruz County Animal Services. Age Requirements - If you are 16 years of age or older you may volunteer to work hands on with the animals at the shelter. If you are 13 –15 years old, you may work with the animals as long as you partner with the same parent at all times. Young people under the age of 13 may not work hands on with the animals, but we may have other office work opportunities if students have community service hours they need to complete. (See below) Time Commitment - We require a commitment from volunteers wanting to work hands on with the animals of a MINIMUM of 2 hours a week for 6 months or longer. The exception to this is Fostering animals in your home. Community Service - Young people that need to complete community service hours for school may volunteer for Santa Cruz County Animal Services. The age requirements and time commitments do apply if students want to work with the animals. Please note that if a student decides to make a 6 month commitment to work with the animals, that student’s volunteer hours will not be signed off until they have volunteered for Animal Services for 3 months or longer. If students are not able to make a 6 month commitment and still want to complete their community service hours at Animal Services, they can email the volunteer department at asa100@co.santa-cruz.ca.us to see if there are any office work opportunities available. How Do I Become a Volunteer? Decide which Volunteer Information Session you will be able to attend and email the volunteer Department. (See last paragraph for more information.) Attend a Volunteer Information Session. You will hear information about ASA and learn about different volunteer opportunities. Our greatest needs include: Animal Care Assistant- Clean kennels, wash dishes, provide animals with food, blankets, and toys, etc. Cat TLC- Exercise, snuggle, brush, and play with adoptable cats. Leg Up (formerly Dog Exerciser)- Play with, exercise, and train adoptable dogs. Rabbit TLC- Exercise, snuggle, brush, and play with rabbits. Foster Caretaker- Provide food, care and socialization for young or sick animals. Schedule an interview at the VIS. Bring your completed application to the interview. Upon approval, attend a Volunteer Orientation where you will learn the basics of animal sheltering including animal care and handling. Report for Duty! You will be assigned a mentor volunteer or staff member to show you the ropes during your first shift. Volunteer Information Sessions will be held on: Saturday, May 22, 10am-12 noon Tuesday, May 25, 5:30-7:30pm Saturday, June 26, 10am-12 noon Tuesday, June 29, 5:30-7:30pm Saturday, July 17, 10am-12 noon Tuesday, July 20 , 5:30-7:30pm Saturday, August 21, 10am-12 noon Tuesday, August 24, 5:30-7:30pm Saturday, September 18, 10am-12 noon Tuesday, September 21, 5:30-7:30pm Saturday, October 23, 10am-12 noon Tuesday, October 26, 5:30-7:30pm Saturday, November 20, 10am-12 noon Tuesday, November 23, 5:30-7:30pm Please RSVP to asa100@co.santa-cruz.ca.us with your name, telephone number, and which Volunteer Information Session class you wish to attend. Space in each class is limited to 30 participants. You will receive an email back confirming your spot in the class. Volunteer Information sessions and Orientations are held at 2200 7th Avenue in Santa Cruz. Due to the high volume of interest, please send inquiries via email. Please do not contact the shelter by phone. Your email will be answered within 72 hours. Thank you for your interest in volunteering for Santa Cruz County Animal Services. We look forward to working with you!

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