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Are you interested in helping to care for Santa Cruz County’s neediest animals?
If so, read on for more information about volunteering with Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.
Age Requirements - If you are 18 years of age or older, you may volunteer to work hands on with the animals at the shelter. If you are 13 –17 years old, you may work with the animals as long as you partner with a parent or legal guardian at all times. Young people under the age of 13 may not work hands on with the animals but we may have other volunteer opportunities for students needing to fulfill community service requirements. Fostering animals in your home is a great opportunity for people of all ages (resident adults’ consent and participation required, of course).
Time Commitment - We no longer have a specific time commitment requirement. Most volunteers find that once they start volunteering, it’s hard to stay away. The majority of volunteers come in for a 2-hour shift once a week but we can work with almost any schedule.
Community Service - Young people that need to complete community service hours for school may volunteer for Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. The age requirements above do apply if students want to work with the animals. Students that can’t meet one or more of the requirements to volunteer with the animals hands-on can email the Volunteer Department at asa143@co.santa-cruz.ca.us to see if there are any office work opportunities available.
Click here to see how fun it is to Volunteer at Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbhaUnNnUJc
How Do I Become a Volunteer?
- Decide which Volunteer Information Session you will be able to attend. No RSVP is required. Just show up! (See the Information Session schedule below)
- Attend your chosen Volunteer Information Session where you will hear about the shelter and learn about different volunteer opportunities. Our greatest needs include:
- Animal Care Assistant- Clean kennels, wash dishes, provide animals with food, blankets, toys, etc.
- Cat TLC - Exercise, snuggle, brush, and play with adoptable cats.
- Dog Exerciser - Play with, exercise, and socialize shelter dogs.
- Rabbit TLC - Exercise, snuggle, brush, and play with rabbits.
- Foster Caretaker - Provide care in your home for shelter animals that are sick, injured, underage, shy, or suffering from kennel stress.
- Ambassador – Assist Client Services in greeting and directing clients, answering basic questions, filing, etc.
- Attend species-specific training (you’ll be asked to sign up for one at the Volunteer Information Session) where you will get information tailored to the specific animals you have chosen to work with.
- Report for Duty! You are now an official volunteer!
Volunteer Information Sessions will be held on:
Saturday, May 21, 10am-12 noon
Tuesday, May 24, 5:30-7:30pm
Saturday, June 4, 10am-12 noon
Thursday, June 16, 5:30-7:30pm
Saturday, July 9, 10am-12 noon
Thursday, July 21, 5:30-7:30pm
Please remember that if you are under 18, the parent(s) or guardian(s) that will be volunteering with you must also attend the information session and species-specific training. All Volunteer Information Sessions are held at 2200 7th Avenue in Santa Cruz. Due to the high volume of interest, please send inquiries via email. We ask that inquiries by phone be made only by those interested in volunteering but without email access at 831-454-7202. Species-specific trainings will be held at either our Watsonville or Live Oak branch depending on where you would like to volunteer.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering for Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. Volunteers make the lives of our shelter animals immeasurably better. We look forward to working with you!
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