Lend a Helping Heart & Hand... Volunteer!
Please find available volunteer descriptions below, and if interested in volunteering in any specific area, please complete the volunteer application. Thank you for your support!
Administrative Assistant
Our Executive Director is one busy guy! A volunteer administrative assistant would help him in miscellaneous projects, ranging from mailings to data entry to event assistance. Skills needed include:
- Excellent verbal communication and computer & internet skills.
- Ability to take direction and work independently as needed.
- Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and have a strong attention to detail.
- Friendly, reliable, responsible and a good sense of humor!
Adoption Counselor
Our Adoption program seeks to match people looking to adopt with animals either available through CCHS's adoption program, or by offering other adoption venues. Counselors are needed to direct weekend adoption meetings or events, perhaps once or twice per month. Skills needed include:- Good verbal communication, knowledge of cat and dog behavior and care. Adoption Counselors are committed to finding the right home, not just the first home. Must have independent work skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and comfort in handling animals. Some experience in re-homing / adopting out animals is beneficial.
- Must commit to a monthly time schedule of at least 3-5 hours.
Animal Transporter / Pet Taxi
On-call animal transporters are needed for numerous different programs:
- Adoption: Transporters are utilized in taking animals to ARF in Walnut Creek on Saturday mornings (drop-off) or afternoons (pick-up), as needed, when the animal is to spayed or neutered and the foster is not available to do so.
- Emergency Medical Fund: Rarely, but sometimes clients do not have transportation to take their animal to a CCHS-approved veterinary office when their animal needs emergency medical care. Transporters are desired in East and West County.
- Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP): Sometimes clients do not have transportation to take their animal to a CCHS-approved veterinary office for drop-off or pick-up from a spay/neuter surgery. Transporters are desired in East and West County.
Volunteer animal transporters must have a valid California Driver's License, car insurance and reliable transportation.
AniMeals Pet Food Bank
Volunteers are needed to help launch our pet food bank that helps financially challenged families and individuals keep their pets in the home and out of the shelters. We need volunteers who can: coordinate with retailers; attend distribution sites (hand out pet food); transport pet food (vehicle required); promote AniMeals program and food drive; program development; route representatives who can pick up food from donation bins in pet supply / grocery stores once per week or twice per month.
- Volunteers 18 years and under must be accompanied and supervised by an adult
- Flexible weekday and weekend hours (minimum 4 hours per month)
- Must be a team player. This program depends 100% on volunteer contribution.
Community Outreach
Volunteers will work at an information table or special event, generally on the weekend, providing information about CCHS's programs and services, as well as soliciting and accepting donations. This position helps educate the public on CCHS's mission, programs and responsible animal care. Skills needed include:
- Good verbal communication, experience working with the public.
- Must have the ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time in varying weather.
Foster Home Provider
Provide food, shelter, exercise, clean and safe environment and loving care for a foster animal. Transport animal to veterinarian when necessary. Volunteer transports animal to adoptions and provides basic obedience training. Skills needed include:
- Have basic cat / dog care experience
- Must be over 18 years of age
- Have an extra room to keep fosterlings separate from your pets, as needed
- Provide proof that your established pets are current on vaccinations
- Understand and support the CCHS mission, principles and policies
Fundraising, Publicity and Marketing
Seek financial support from the local business community, as well as donations of goods and services for specific fundraising events and programs. Seek out opportunities to publicize CCHS programs and services, as well as our need for donations to fund those services. Skills needed include:
- Good verbal and written communication, as well as the ability to meet deadlines.
- Familiarity with internet research.
Kitty Corner
Kitty Corner volunteers are responsible for the day-to-day well-being of our favorite feline guests! Volunteers handle the daily cleaning, feeding and socialization of our adult, senior & special needs cats. Shifts are available throughout the day, seven days a week and can accommodate many schedules. Skills needed include:- Reliable, responsible, able to make a minimum 6 month committment.
- Comfort in working with and handling cats; knowledge in cat behavior.
- Ability to lift 30lbs.
- Good communication, friendly disposition and ability to work well with other volunteers.
Reception / Office Assistant
Volunteers work in weekly shifts of 2-4 hours who are able to assist in answering and routing of calls, offer assistance to callers, and return general messages. Volunteer may also assist in clerical projects as needed, such as mailings, keeping track of inventory, providing clerical assistance to other CCHS programs and help maintain a neat and tidy office appearance. Skills needed include:
- Polite and friendly disposition
- Strong sense of phone etiquette
- Knowledge and responsibilities of animal care
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to commit to a minimum of 1 time per week (minimum 2 hours) schedule
- Internet and research skills helpful
