Volunteer for CAHS
The shelter is always seeking volunteers to help give homeless pets a second chance. We offer a variety of opportunities to fit the skills and abilities of nearly any pet lover.
Becoming a Volunteer
If any of our volunteer positions look interesting to you, taking the next step to become a CAHS volunteer is easy. Volunteer Orientations are held on the third Saturday of each month. (There is no orientation in December due to the holiday season.) The orientation will provide you with background information about the mission, programs and services of the shelter. Depending on the position you select, additional training(s) may be needed.
The next Volunteer Orientation will be held Saturday, January 17, 2009.
Adult/Junior Volunteer Orientation: 10:30am-1:00pm, third Saturday of the month, held at the shelter.
Family Volunteer Orientation: 1:30pm-3:00pm, third Saturday of the month, held at the shelter.
Pre-registration is not required, however due to the popularity of our program, we may exceed room capacity (especially in January). Please be aware that if space is full, you may need to come back the following month. Please note that there may be special circumstances which result in a change of the orientation date. Check the website or call the shelter to confirm the correct date of orientation.
If you have any questions, please contact (517) 626-6821, ext. 25 or email programs@cahs-lansing.org
Family—children ages 8 to 15
The Family Program is for families with children between the ages of 8 and 15 who want to enjoy the experience of volunteering together at the shelter as a family unit. In the family program, a parent or guardian must volunteer with the children and provide constant close supervision of the children while volunteering. All members of the family who intend to volunteer must attend the orientation and TLC training.
Junior— children ages 16 and 17
You will be in the Junior Program if you are 16 or 17 years old on the day you attend orientation and you are NOT volunteering to meet school-related community service requirements. A parent or legal guardian must be present with you at orientation and must sign your application and waiver forms, but you can volunteer on your own without a parent or guardian.
adult – ages 18+
You can join the Adult Program if you are 18 years or older on the day you attend orientation and you do NOT intend to bring children with you to volunteer.
TLC Volunteers
TLC stands for Tender Loving Care. It is the job of TLC volunteers to give loving care to the animals available for adoption at the CAHS. TLC volunteers pet, play with, brush, socialize, comfort and help clean up after the homeless pets at the shelter. The duties of a TLC volunteer will vary depending on whether they work in the nursery, the dog kennel, the cattery, the rodent motel or the laundry and dishwashing areas. All volunteer levels can participate in the TLC Program.
Other Volunteer Positions to Consider
Bakers - Make or purchase and donate baked goods for shelter events (ie: Volunteer Orientations).
Foster Volunteer (Adults and Family) - Help shelter pets that need a temporary home outside the shelter because they are too young to adopt, have a minor but contagious health condition, or just need a break from shelter life. Contact Laura Simmons, Foster Coordinator, at foster@cahs-lansing.org if you are interested in becomming a Foster Volunteer.
Kennel/Nursery Hosts & Catterys Hosts (Adults Only) - Step up from working with the animals to working with both animals and potential adopters to help facilitate the adoption process.
PetSmart Animal Care Volunteers (Adults Only) - Provide regularly scheduled hands-on care and cleaning for shelter animals that are housed at PetSmart in Okemos.
Pet Therapy Volunteers (Adults Only) - Use your own Pet Therapy-Certified pet to visit nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, homes for the developmentally disabled, assisted living facilities and other settings. Shelter staff can assist you in obtaining Pet-Therapy certification for your pet. Visit the Pet Therapy page for more information.
Spay/Neuter Volunteer (Adults Only) - Help the spay/neuter clinic staff with various tasks such as cleaning cages, comforting recovering animals from surgery, washing and wrapping surgical packs, etc.
Special Events Volunteer - Help the shelter raise funds and friends by working at special events such as the Fur Ball, the Run and Walk for the Animals, off-site adoptions or other types of events.
Special Skills Volunteer - Use a special talent, skill, ability or resource you have to help the shelter on an as-needed basis free-of-charge. Examples include people with office, clerical and computer skills, licensed electricians, licensed vet-techs, licensed plumbers, experienced grant developers, skilled writers, graphic artists/designers, photographers, people who like to sew and knit and people willing to help with skilled or unskilled building maintenance.
Transportation Volunteer (Adults Only) - Help transport pets to and from off-site adoption events throughout the community.