Cat Advocates Teaching & Saving Society (CATS)
VolunteeringGetting Involved
Volunteering
Care Team
The CATS Care Team is the place where all the action happens. The cats in our shelter are eagerly waiting for foster homes or forever homes. They need your care and attention. As a volunteer, you will be responsible for providing them with fresh water and food, tidy bedding, and clean litter boxes. Additionally, the cuddles and playtime they crave outside of their enclosures to stretch their legs and visit with other cats.
Morning and evening shifts are available; shifts last between 2-3 hours on average. Once a week commitment is preferred.
Socialization
Socializing with feral and timid cats can be an immensely rewarding experience. Many of our rescued cats have been living outside, away from human contact for a long time. We aim to give each one a chance to trust humans again by spending time with them every afternoon. Our calm and gentle volunteers help these cats come out of their shells and determine whether they would be better suited for a home environment or a barn cat lifestyle. During this time, the cats also get to come out and enjoy some time with others. Shifts take place in the afternoons between Care Team Shifts. Shifts are approx. 2 hours long. Once-a-week commitment preferred.FOSTER TEAM
At CATS, we are committed to providing a foster home environment for our cats to the best of our ability rather than keeping them in a shelter. That’s why our foster team plays a crucial role in our shelter. These volunteers help to bring on new fosters and match suitable foster homes for our cats, which enables them to thrive and progress toward adoption. They also place terminally ill cats with compassionate foster care and other needs for foster homes. The foster team regularly checks in with our fosters to ensure the cats are happy and have everything they need.Fundraising Team
The fundraising team is responsible for organizing and hosting all the amazing events and fun activities that you may have attended.
These volunteers frequently visit different public areas to search for fundraising opportunities. They also organize pop-up events such as selling 50/50 tickets in various locations around town, setting up and dismantling fundraising events, canvassing for donations for our annual plant sale and winter auction, and other events.
Shelter Team
The shelter relies on this team to take care of all the small yet essential tasks that are often overlooked but critical for the shelter’s smooth functioning.
These tasks include restocking rooms with food and supplies, monitoring supplies inventory, detailed cleaning, dusting and vacuuming, window cleaning, sanitizing, air purifier cleaning, laundry machine upkeep, and other minor tasks. We believe that many hands make light work, and the more help we can get in these areas, the better the shelter will run.
*Regular or weekly commitment preferred.
THRIFT CORNER TEAM
Do you enjoy shopping at thrift stores, how about volunteering in one?”
Our Thrift Corner team volunteers meet once a week to organize, clean, and price all the donated items we receive. These volunteers also work as cashiers and greeters in the store, explaining our rescue to our customers and guiding them to the appropriate sections if they have questions about volunteering or adopting.
Shifts are 3 hours long, and morning and afternoon shifts are available. Once a week commitment is preferred.
Feeding Stations/Trapping
This is the backbone of how CATS Started!
Whether you are setting up feeding stations and monitoring them with wildlife cameras or setting traps when a lost cat activity is detected, this two-part team works together to bring in relocated cats from the cold, harsh, remote wilderness where they cannot survive with high hopes the CATS can reunite them with their owners or find them loving forever homes.
* Must be physically fit, have their own transportation, not afraid of harsh weather conditions, and can work in pairs or more.
Adoption Team
Our team of adoption volunteers is dedicated to finding loving homes for the cats in our care.
They work tirelessly to match each adoptable cat with the right applicant, considering its unique needs and personality.
Our volunteers conduct adoption interviews, ensure that all necessary forms are signed, assemble adoption packs, and assist with the foster-to-adopt process by checking in with adopters. You may also spot them at our pop-up adoption events around town or at our shelter.
Our volunteers always have the best interests of our cats in mind and are committed to making successful matches that will last a lifetime.
MEDICAL TEAM
Volunteers play a crucial role in assisting the Medical Team Lead with cat examinations and ensuring the overall health and well-being of cats in the shelter.
Their responsibilities include but are not limited to observing the cats, administering medications, keeping track of flea and deworming schedules, and assisting in transporting cats to and from veterinary appointments.
*This is an intensive learning role, and a strong commitment is preferred.