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Improving the lives of and preventing cruelty to domestic and companion animals through humane education, shelter, and uniting pets with families. |
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Improving the lives of and preventing cruelty to domestic and companion animals through humane education, shelter, and uniting pets with families. |
| Home Meet our Staff Hours and Location Events Donations Adoptions Volunteering Gallery Animal Control |
| Steps to became a KHS volunteer | |
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Step 1: Fill out a volunteer application and staple
together proof of your health insurance and tetanus vaccination. Step 2: Attend an orientation (The date will be listed on events page on the KHS website) Step 3: Arrange an interview with the volunteer coordinator. Step 4: Attend the interview. If we have a position available in the volunteer program that fits your request you will be notified and will receive a training date. Step 5: Attend your training. Age requirements: - The minimum age for volunteers is 16 years old. - You may volunteer starting at age 10 to 15 with a parent or guardian who is at least 21 years old. All family participants must have health insurance and supply the insurance card and/or enrollment numbers to the Volunteer Manager. NOTE: Our Family Volunteer program is designed specifically for families who want the experience of volunteering together. Please choose this option only if you are sincere about working together. Time of commitment: - Be able to contribute at least four hours per month under a flexible schedule. - Be willing to commit at least 6 months of service to the Kokomo Humane Society. NOTE: Please consider your schedule and time availability before you commit to our program. We need your dedication in order to make it a good experience for you and all the animals. If you miss two months, you will be considered inactive and it may be necessary to go through orientation, interview and training again.
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| Volunteer Positions | |
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Volunteer positions are divided in two groups: Animal-Related
and Non-animal Related. Each group has
three stages.
Most volunteers start as dog/cat volunteers in stage one jobs. Later, when
our volunteers have fulfilled additional requirements, they can qualify for the
stage two or stage three jobs. | |
| Volunteering opportunities - Animal-Related | |
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Stage One Dog Walker One of our greatest needs is dog walking. Dogs at the shelter spend most of their time in cages and are in need of exercise. This is a fun activity and healthy for you and the dog. Part of this task is also to teach the dogs tricks, by doing that you can increase their chance to go to a new home. All volunteers helping with this must attend training to understand their responsibilities. The goal is to better understand dog behavior, body language and how to safely handle a dog when taking them to our play areas. As a volunteer, you must be willing to clean up after dogs that you walk. Cat Socializer Most shelter cats need extra special holding and petting. This also makes the cats friendlier to potential adopters. You may train cats to perform simple tricks for treats. You must attend training to understand cat behavior and body language. Animal Care As a shelter volunteer you should be willing to provide animal care such as grooming, bathing, brushing, trimming nails, feeding, cleaning kennels & inspecting for overall health conditions. Make our animals irresistible for adopters! Volunteers should also plan on getting wet, dirty and be able to lift at least 40 lbs. Experience is necessary for this position. Stage Two PETCO Habitat Caretaker The Humane Society has some adorable cats on display at the local PETCO store. If you are interested in helping there you would be more than welcome! Volunteering in this position involves driving to PETCO at least once a week and making sure that the cats have a bed, food, water and a clean litter box. Also, take the time to play, cuddle and give them lots of love, making their transition to a new home a better experience. Basic training is required. Special Event Volunteer Do you enjoy talking with people about animals? We have a great position for you! Once a month we go to PETCO to try to find dogs good homes, and your help would be much appreciated! We also have other events throughout the year. As an event representative you should be willing to perform tasks such as, but not limited to, driving to different locations, taking animals to do their " business" helping the staff set up, handing out fliers and/or anything else that needs to be done. Stage Three "Open Arms" Foster Parent Foster families are beneficial to the shelter, providing temporary homes for animals with minor health needs, animals in need of simple training or mothers with litters too young to adopt. Our foster families provide extra care to animals that cannot necessarily be provided at the shelter. Foster animals often find homes more quickly because of the care and training they have had through fostering. Consider having one of our furry friends as a guest in your home/pet bed and breakfast. KHS can provide food and supplies to our foster families. You must be the owner/renter of a home and fill out a Foster Care Volunteer Application and take Foster Parent Training. | |
| Volunteering opportunities - Non-Animal Related | |
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Stage One Environment Sanitizer Through not the most glamorous task we have to offer, it is something that is much appreciated around the shelter. This task would include washing bowls and toys, changing cat litter, scooping dog waste, organizing closets/cabinets, cleaning kennels/cages and mopping the floor if needed. This position also includes the laundry. We try to provide each animal with a blanket or towel. Laundry piles up quickly and it is difficult for our staff to keep up with it. If you don't mind to get your "paws" dirty, this position would help our loved animals a lot by providing a clean an organized place to live in during their transition to new home! Basic training will be provided by a staff member. Stage Two Greeter/Matchmaker (Adoption Counselor) Visitors at the shelter need to feel welcome. Greeters should walk visitors back to the animals and be available to answer questions about breeds, basic information about the shelter and how the adoption process proceeds. They also escort clients through adoption areas with an animal of the adopter's choice and discuss specific or general behavior issues with that specific breed. It is a lot of fun to talk about the animals! Although any adult can apply, this is a good job for someone who enjoys working with people as much as they do with animals. You must attend training for this position. Stage Three Adoption Follow-up Volunteer After pets have found homes through the shelter, we touch base with the families to see how things are progressing. You will conduct follow-up consultations by phone about one month after adoption. This is an opportunity to provide support, reassurance and literature to adopters. | |
| "At A Distance" Volunteering | |
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If you are interested in helping the shelter, but would rather do so from a distance,
there are a variety of ways you can help. Holding donation drives at your place
of work, church, or school is a wonderful way people can help the animals.
Another suggestion might be to design and sew soft cushy comforters for the
cat and kitten cages or put together goodie bags to give to new adopters. Goodie bags might
include treats, safe pet toys, grooming supplies, leashes, pet care books, etc.
Pet store employees can also make suggestions for
the goodie bag. Volunteering from a distance allows you to be creative and
imaginative and is a fun way to help out.
What do we ask of our volunteers?
- Consider volunteering a serious commitment. We cannot run the shelter without you. Your schedule is just as important as any of our staff members. -Commit to volunteer the equivalent of at least 4 hours per month for a minimum of six months. - Support our philosophies and polices inside and outside the shelter. -Be honest and realistic with us and with yourself concerning your needs, wishes and availability. - Have fun! |
