Description:
Small Animal Caregiver volunteers provide care to shelter pets, ensuring their living environment remains safe, clean and as comfortable as possible. This role is a good match for individuals who thrive with varied tasks, can follow an array of directions, are self-directed, and who work equally well independently or as part of a team. Please note, animal care only takes place from 8:30AM to 11:30AM and this shift time cannot be changed. Please consider your availability when applying.
Hands-on dog care is not available in this role.
Responsibilities:
- Provide husbandry small animals. Volunteers will work with a variety of species including rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, birds, gerbils and other exotics.
- Clean, disinfect enclosures, and provide appropriate food, water, litter, toys and bedding along with interacting and socializing with the animals.
Necessary Skills:
- Ability to follow instructions on safety protocols to prevent the spread of illness
- Some level of comfort with various species
- Some knowledge of animal body language
- Willingness to clean areas soiled with feces, urine, or vomit
- Ability to work independently and with other volunteers
- Ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. This role is not a suitable match for individuals who do best with routine tasks
- Ability to quickly make good judgments, for the safety of the individual, staff, other volunteers, and animals
- Emotional ability to handle difficult situations involving animals
- Ability to perform physical labor for the duration of shift, including kneeling, bending, and reaching
- Ability use stepladder, and lift and/or pull up to 40 pounds
Requirements:
- Commitment of at least six months
- One weekly 3-hour shift on the same day each week
- Attendance at an orientation and on-the-job training
- Completion of Fear Free training – a free online course – within 30 days of acceptance into the Volunteer Program
Available Shifts:
- Sunday through Saturday: 8:30am – 11:30am
- Animal care only takes place at the above time, so please ensure your availability before applying
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