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Adult Volunteer Opportunities: 18+ years old |
| Adoption Advisior | Match potential pet adopters with their new best friend! Provide information about the animals and the adoption procedure to patrons and assist in conducting adoption visits. Create lists showing which animals have zero prospective adopters and which have many, making the selection process easier for patrons. |
| Humane Education Assistant | Assist the humane educator both on site at the shelter and off-site. On-site events include giving tours of the shelter and education on humane treatment of animals. Off-sites go into the community to different groups with the same education ideas. Position does involve handling of animals -- training for animal handler positions required. |
| Cat and/or Rabbit Handler | Provide the cats and rabbits with affection and much needed attention. Strive to keep them well socialized and prepare them for the transition into their new homes. This position not only includes handling the animals, but also cleaning litter boxes and cages and performing adoption visits for patrons who wish to see an animal more closely. |
| Dog Handler | Most duties are as described above (under cat & rabbit handler). In addition, this position will require physical strength and agility, as well as willingness to clean cages or otherwise assist kennel staff. |
| Dog Trainer | With volunteer coordinator’s approval, teach shelter dogs training and manner cues using the Montgomery County Humane Society's Training Cue and Protocol Manual. Record each dog's progress on the Dog Training Board for the public to see (a well-trained dog is often seen as more adoptable). Volunteers must first go through dog handler training and complete a minimum of 40 hours of dog handling before proceeding to dog trainer. |
| Wagging Tails Thrifts and Gifts | Work once a week (or more often) in a four-hour shift. Sort donations and assist customers. All proceeds benefit the shelter animals. Good people skills are a must. |
| Foster Program | Open your heart and home to animals that need more time than the shelter can provide. This position requires an approval process similar to the adoption process. Fosters provide temporary homes for the animal(s) they foster. They are also responsible for finding homes for their fosters. MCHS takes care of most veterinary expenses (within a specific dollar limit) and reimburses for advertisements. Fosters often use off-site adoption events as a source for prospective adopters. If you are interested in fostering, please email the foster department at fostermau@mchumane.org |
| Information Desk Attendant | Provide visitors with information on adoption procedures, MCHS policies, and characteristics and availability of animals. Generally assist patrons through the adoption process, take in donations, and discuss pet care needs and breed requirements with potential adopters. Good people skills a must. |
Kennel Assistant |
Wash items such as food bowls, toys, and litter pans. Prepare and wash laundry. Prepare food and water bowls for all animals and litter trays for cats. Assist in cleaning animals’ cages. Extensively clean the kennel kitchen and other storage areas as needed. Assist the kennel staff as needed. |
Pet Requests |
Match animals with prospective adopters who have completed a request form, indicating an interest in adopting a specific type of animal. Duties include: filing, cross-referencing, contacting applicants when a match is found, and encouraging them to visit the animal inside the shelter. Good phone skills a must. |
| Production Services | MCHS depends on roughly 1,000 documents a week, which production volunteers copy, collate, and staple in large quantities. Production Services also helps with phone calling and other vital administrative tasks. |
| Shelter Host | Provide an extra set of hands during busy times. Greet visitors, distribute information about the adoption process, and perform other tasks as they present themselves. |
| Special Events | Help promote special events and fundraisers throughout the year. Assist at the events themselves with setup, takedown, and everything in between. Animal handlers must be 18 years old. |
| Animal Transporter | Occasionally transfer shelter animals to an out-of-county rescue group for adoption purposes. Volunteer may choose to be an emergency or non-emergency animal transporter. |
This page last updated 3-9-09
14645 Rothgeb Drive | Rockville, MD 20850 | Main Number: 240.773.5960
Programs & Services: 240.773.5054 | Emergency Services (24/7): 240.773.5900
Fax: 301.279.1998