Ways You Can Volunteer

Shelter Cleaning Team – This is where we need the most help!
Central to the success of SAFE Haven for Cats is the cleanliness and upkeep of the shelter, and this cannot be done without the volunteers who come in daily to tidy up. The shelter cleaning team members scoop litter boxes, change linens and toys, fill water bowls, and sweep the floor. Some cleaning team members focus on laundry and dishes as well. If time permits, cleaning team members can also play and socialize with the cats at the end of their shift.

The shelter cleaning team members must be willing to take direction from the cleaning captain, follow policies and procedures to control sickness, and handle cats gently and responsibly. Cleaning shifts are quiet.

• Location -SAFE Haven for Cats
• Additional Training Required – No
• Pre-Requisite Training – None
• Dress Code – Very casual: No flip-flops, tank tops, or shorts (due to use of cleaning supplies and handling cats).
• Physical Responsibilities – Must be able to move around the shelter and work in cages that are floor level and above the shoulders. There is a lot of kneeling. May have to use cleaning products such as bleach. Cleaning crew members will frequently be asked to move cats to “swing cages” or play areas during the cleaning shift.
• Youth Opportunity – 13-15 with parental supervision, not suitable for children under 13

Litter Box Team
It is a tough job, but someone has to do it! The Litter Box l Team, which meets on Tuesday evenings, is tasked with removing litter boxes from the cats’ cages, replacing them with clean, new ones, and emptying them. This reduces the potential for sickness and misbehavior in the cats, so this crew has a very important job.

• Location – SAFE Haven for Cats
• Additional Training Required – No
• Pre-Requisite Training – None, but must be willing to open cages and work around cats.
• Dress Code – Casual
• Physical Responsibilities – Must be able to move around the shelter, pick up cats, life up to 40 pounds, and carry litter boxes. There is also a lot of kneeling and crouching.
• Youth Opportunity – 10-15 with parental supervision

Event Volunteer
Want to participate in outreach activities in the community? Maybe you would rather help set up for the annual Tuxedo Cat Ball or wrap gifts at a local Barnes & Noble during the holidays? SAFE Haven for Cats hosts multiple fundraisers and outreach activities throughout the year and always needs individuals who want to join the volunteer service team! Other events include:

• Auctions
• Craft fairs
• Fill-A-Truck events
• Fun runs
• Gift wrapping at the holidays
• Partner programs

Different events require different skills and aptitudes. For example, at fundraising events, volunteers may have to answer questions about SAFE Haven for Cats, direct participants to activities, and engage diverse audiences in conversations about the organization. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator for details!

• Location – Varies
• Additional Training Required – Varies according to the event; some events require event team leads, which require an aptitude for directing and supervising others and may require some pre-event orientation or training.
• Dress Code – Varies according to the event
• Physical Responsibilities – Varies according to the event
• Youth Opportunity – Varies according to the event

Adoption Counseling
Adoption Counseling is what sets SAFE Haven for Cats apart from many other animal rescue organizations. All potential adopters are paired with a counselor to discuss their needs, previous experience with cats, how best to choose a forever feline companion, and ways to integrate their new companion into their home.

Ideal adoption counselors must be patient, great communicators, willing to work with many types of people, and comfortable with handling and nurturing the cats at the shelter. Adoption counselors are expected to perform cash handling duties, fill out paperwork, and follow up with adopters.

• Location – SAFE Haven for Cats
• Additional Training Required – Yes
• Pre-Requisite Training – Many adoption counselors begin as cleaning crew members to acclimate to the SAFE Haven environment.
• Dress Code – Casual
• Physical Responsibilities – Must be able to move around the shelter, pick up cats, and place cats in carriers and cages. There is also a lot of kneeling and crouching.
• Youth Opportunity – No

Fostering
Do you have space in your home and heart to care for a mom and babies, orphaned kittens, bottle babies, or maybe an adult? We are always looking for foster homes! It’s a very rewarding job whether it’s raising kittens until they are big enough to be spayed/neutered or giving an adult cat a break from the shelter. Don’t be discouraged if you work a full-time job, there are opportunities for everyone!

• Location – SAFE Care Clinic
• Additional Training Required – No
• Pre-Requisite Training – Foster application must be filled out
• Dress Code – Casual
• Physical Responsibilities – None
• Youth Opportunity – No

Tabby Cabby
Sometimes cats need to be transported to a specialty veterinary practice, and sometimes, local shelters request that SAFE Haven for Cats pick up cats for adoption. Also, sometimes food needs to be delivered to pet food pantry recipients. The Tabby Cabby outreach is the dedicated car service for cats!

Additionally, Tabby Cabby volunteers must be able to communicate clearly with outside agencies and businesses about the nature of the transport and may be asked to deliver documentation back to the SAFE Haven for Cats Shelter Director.

Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and a fully insured and registered automobile.

• Location – SAFE Haven for Cats
• Additional Training Required – No
• Pre-Requisite Training – None
• Dress Code – Casual
• Physical Responsibilities – Must be able to lift and carry pet carriers with animals.
• Youth Opportunity – No

Mouse Makers
What cat doesn’t love a catnip mouse? Mouse Makers is a dedicated group of crafters who create catnip mice year round and transport to veterinary clinics in Wake, Franklin, and Johnston counties. Mouse Makers meet at the clinic once per month, so there is plenty of time for fellowship and crafting. Additionally, Mouse Maker team members may be called on to deliver jars of catnip mice to clinics and pick up money from sales; all “Mouse Transporters” must have a valid driver’s license and registered vehicle.

• Location – This activity is done at your home
• Additional Training Required – No
• Pre-Requisite Training – Sewing and crafting skills
• Dress Code – Casual
• Physical Responsibilities – None
• Youth Opportunity – 10-15 with parental supervision

Clinic Volunteer
The SAFE Care Clinic offers spay / neuter services to the cats in the community, including those that are considered “community” (or feral) cats. Often, the clinic needs volunteers to do cleaning, laundry, and perhaps some administrative tasks. These responsibilities are not technical in nature, and clinic volunteers do not assist or observe surgery.

• Location – SAFE Care Clinic
• Additional Training Required – Yes
• Pre-Requisite Training – Yes, must have at least 15 hours of Shelter Cleaning shift completed
• Dress Code – Casual
• Physical Responsibilities – Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds and move easily around the clinic spaces. Kneeling required. May need to use household chemicals.
• Youth Opportunity – No

Pet Food Pantry
Helping needy families keep their pets was the impetus for creating the Pet Food Pantry. This initiative provides temporary assistance to low-income pet owners and distributes almost 10 tons of food annually.

Volunteers will be engaging with the general public and answering questions about SAFE Haven for Cats and its clinic, SAFE Care. Sometimes, there might be paperwork to fill out or inventory to process.

• Location – SAFE Care Clinic (1st Saturday of every month)
• Additional Training Required – No
• Pre-Requisite Training – No
• Dress Code – Casual
• Physical Responsibilities – Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and move easily around the spaces. May need to assist in loading and unloading vehicles. Working outside, even in winter and summer, is required.
• Youth Opportunity – 10-15 with parental supervision

Feline Enrichment
The Feline Enrichment program provides shelter cats an important opportunity for socialization. Ideal volunteers are quiet, compassionate, and patient individuals who are willing to work one-on-one with selected felines to increase their adoptability. Volunteers should be able to select appropriate toys and use enrichment techniques that are individual to the animal. The Feline Enrichment program is key to increasing the emotional comfort level of shelter cats and therefore increasing their probability of finding a new forever home.

• Location – SAFE Haven for Cats
• Additional Training Required – Yes
• Pre-Requisite Training – We request that you complete three shifts (6 hours) in the shelter to get to know our organization and the cats. Knowledge of cat handling and cat behavior a plus.
• Dress Code – Casual
• Physical Responsibilities – Must be able to move around the shelter, pick up cats, and sit in playrooms or colony cages for long periods. There is also a lot of kneeling and crouching
• Youth Opportunity – No

Training is provided for these positions. Some positions require more time, dedication, and skills than others do but all are equally important.

Board Service
SAFE Haven’s Board of Directors is a group of 20 people who steer the legal, monetary and programmatic direction of the nonprofit organization. Meetings are held four times a year. This is an opportunity to use your business skills to advance SAFE Haven’s impact on life saving.

• Location – SAFE Haven for Cats
• Terms – Typically 3 years
• Additional Training Required – Yes, and previous board experience is very helpful and desired
• Pre-Requisite Training – Must complete an orientation
• Experience in animal welfare, finance, management, technology and communications desired.

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