For the most recent updates about volunteering during the Coronavirus pandemic, please click the button to the right. |
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Volunteering at BENCHS
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Volunteering is critical to the health and well-being of the cats and dogs living at the shelter. All your time and effort is greatly appreciated.
Volunteers must be 18 or older. Only trained volunteers are allowed to work with the animals. The shelter animals need your full attention while you are here, so you are not allowed to invite your friends or family to accompany you during your shift. Please feel free to recruit friends and family to become volunteers. OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IS UNDERGOING SOME CHANGES. WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING NEW VOLUNTEERS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE CONTINUE TO WATCH THIS PAGE FOR UPDATED INFORMATION. |
Volunteers, please sign in every time you volunteer. Use the Volunteer Login button below. The number of volunteers and the hours that you work help us to secure grants to keep our program strong.
Thank you!
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BOARD MEMBERS - Our Board of Directors is looking for additional members in the following areas: Volunteers, Events, Buildings/Grounds, and Community Outreach. Click here for additional information about these areas.
Dog Enrichment Program
Dog Enrichment Volunteers are here to help our dogs better enjoy their stay while at BENCHS. We want our dogs to keep stimulated with time in the play yard, walking, and socialization with people in their kennel and out. We also want to help them learn how to be a better walker while they are here, some will get it at first others will take more time to learn. By helping train them while they are here we are building confidence in the dogs and giving them one-on-one attention they are looking for. You will be able to be a part of the animals' growth while here and develop a bond that will enrich their stay with us. While part of the program is walking other parts include kennel enrichment (slow feeders, kongs, toys, sitting, essential oils and snuggling, etc.). You will be helping them enjoy their stay at BENCHS and provide them with the love and attention they deserve on a daily basis.
Training: Dog Enrichment Volunteers must first walk 4 times as a Community Dog Walker (see below) and then we can arrange a time for the training with the Enrichment Coordinator. If Community Dog Walking is not possible for you, exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.
Commitment: Enrichment Volunteers would be asked to come in on a regular basis as knowing the dogs makes it easier for interactions.
Hours: 7 days a week from 7:30 am - Dark (also some time changes are based on holidays)
Training: Dog Enrichment Volunteers must first walk 4 times as a Community Dog Walker (see below) and then we can arrange a time for the training with the Enrichment Coordinator. If Community Dog Walking is not possible for you, exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.
Commitment: Enrichment Volunteers would be asked to come in on a regular basis as knowing the dogs makes it easier for interactions.
Hours: 7 days a week from 7:30 am - Dark (also some time changes are based on holidays)
Community Dog Walkers
COMMUNITY DOG WALKING HOURS
TEMPORARILY ON HOLD DUE TO COVID-19
**Closed-toed shoes required.**
ORIENTATION SESSION
**For first time walkers, arrive 15 minutes before each session for orientation.
On your first day as a dog walker, you will need to request Dog Walker Orientation. Orientations are Monday- Wednesday @ 3:15 pm and Saturday-Sunday @ 10:45 am. All dog walkers are required to attend a session. The orientation only takes about 15 minutes, so you must arrive early for dog walking that day. If the orientation time do not fit with your schedule, email volunteer@benchs.org. A coordinator will work with your schedule to do a one-on-one orientation and training.
CHECK IN AND OUT
When you arrive at the shelter, please check in at the front desk. A staff member and/or volunteer will work with you to determine which dog you can walk. Please know that you are expected to clean up after the dog so bags are provided. Often the dogs can go out for two walks so it is helpful when volunteers arrive again later in the shift. When you are finished, please check out at the front desk.
YOUTH AND DOG WALKING
Often times the population of dogs at BENCHS is dominated by large powerful dogs. Bearing that in mind the parent/youth combination of walkers will be able to walk a dog only when an appropriately mannered dog is available to walk. If the staff and/or desk volunteer feel that the available dogs pose a challenge to the pair they will not be sent to walk with a dog. As disappointing as that might be, we must insure that the adults, youth, and dog all remain safe.
Youth who are 10 years old or older may walk with a parent. Non-parents over the age of 18 must provide a letter from the parents of youth to indicate they are acting as guardian to the youth. The parent/guardian will complete the volunteer application and sign the liability waiver. The parent/guardian accepts all responsibility and liability for the activities of the walk and insures that all return to the shelter safely. We strongly suggest that only one youth walk with the parent/ guardian. Any combination of parents or guardians and youth that are active in the walking program prior to April 1, 2018 and are not 10 years old may continue to participate and be “grandfathered in”. The parent/guardian will maintain control of the leash and dog AT ALL TIMES. Youth must not hold the leash.
COMMUNITY DOG WALKING HOURS
TEMPORARILY ON HOLD DUE TO COVID-19
**Closed-toed shoes required.**
ORIENTATION SESSION
**For first time walkers, arrive 15 minutes before each session for orientation.
On your first day as a dog walker, you will need to request Dog Walker Orientation. Orientations are Monday- Wednesday @ 3:15 pm and Saturday-Sunday @ 10:45 am. All dog walkers are required to attend a session. The orientation only takes about 15 minutes, so you must arrive early for dog walking that day. If the orientation time do not fit with your schedule, email volunteer@benchs.org. A coordinator will work with your schedule to do a one-on-one orientation and training.
CHECK IN AND OUT
When you arrive at the shelter, please check in at the front desk. A staff member and/or volunteer will work with you to determine which dog you can walk. Please know that you are expected to clean up after the dog so bags are provided. Often the dogs can go out for two walks so it is helpful when volunteers arrive again later in the shift. When you are finished, please check out at the front desk.
YOUTH AND DOG WALKING
Often times the population of dogs at BENCHS is dominated by large powerful dogs. Bearing that in mind the parent/youth combination of walkers will be able to walk a dog only when an appropriately mannered dog is available to walk. If the staff and/or desk volunteer feel that the available dogs pose a challenge to the pair they will not be sent to walk with a dog. As disappointing as that might be, we must insure that the adults, youth, and dog all remain safe.
Youth who are 10 years old or older may walk with a parent. Non-parents over the age of 18 must provide a letter from the parents of youth to indicate they are acting as guardian to the youth. The parent/guardian will complete the volunteer application and sign the liability waiver. The parent/guardian accepts all responsibility and liability for the activities of the walk and insures that all return to the shelter safely. We strongly suggest that only one youth walk with the parent/ guardian. Any combination of parents or guardians and youth that are active in the walking program prior to April 1, 2018 and are not 10 years old may continue to participate and be “grandfathered in”. The parent/guardian will maintain control of the leash and dog AT ALL TIMES. Youth must not hold the leash.
Adoption Support Volunteers
Adoption volunteers greet people as they enter the shelter and help them as they are able to...answering questions, taking donations, or getting them started with the adoption process. Volunteers working with the cat adoption staff will bring cats to the larger social room for families to meet. Volunteers working with the dog adoption staff will bring dogs back and forth to the Apollo Room for the people to meet. They might take a dog for a walk with an interested family. Often, volunteers show potential adopters the animals and talk about them a bit. The more you work with the animals, the more you get to know them and are able to really work with the families. During adoption hours, there is usually time to interact with the animals and do various tasks around the shelter...fill water bowls, laundry, cleaning, etc. The best part of being an adoption volunteer is seeing the dogs and cats interact with their new families and sending them off together!!
Training: Adoption assistants need to complete training and shadowing sessions prior to beginning. These are arranged with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Commitment: Adoption hours are split into two shifts. Volunteers sign up for whatever shifts work for them. We like to have two people for every shift: one for the cats and one for the dogs. Sign up is done through an online system.
Hours: Thursdays and Fridays 3:00 - 7:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 2:00 - 6:00 pm. Change in hours!
Adoption volunteers greet people as they enter the shelter and help them as they are able to...answering questions, taking donations, or getting them started with the adoption process. Volunteers working with the cat adoption staff will bring cats to the larger social room for families to meet. Volunteers working with the dog adoption staff will bring dogs back and forth to the Apollo Room for the people to meet. They might take a dog for a walk with an interested family. Often, volunteers show potential adopters the animals and talk about them a bit. The more you work with the animals, the more you get to know them and are able to really work with the families. During adoption hours, there is usually time to interact with the animals and do various tasks around the shelter...fill water bowls, laundry, cleaning, etc. The best part of being an adoption volunteer is seeing the dogs and cats interact with their new families and sending them off together!!
Training: Adoption assistants need to complete training and shadowing sessions prior to beginning. These are arranged with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Commitment: Adoption hours are split into two shifts. Volunteers sign up for whatever shifts work for them. We like to have two people for every shift: one for the cats and one for the dogs. Sign up is done through an online system.
Hours: Thursdays and Fridays 3:00 - 7:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 2:00 - 6:00 pm. Change in hours!
Adopt-a-Condo Volunteers
Adopt-a-Condo volunteers are the heart and soul of keeping the cats healthy and happy. Volunteers in the Adopt-a-Condo program give love and attention to the cats while they clean their living space called a cat condo. Cat condos need to be cleaned on a daily basis...provide fresh linens, change the litter, sweep the floor, etc. Cleaning the kennels not only provides the cats with a place they enjoy living in, it also makes the shelter a warm, welcoming place for visitors.
BENCHS encourages Adopt-a-Condo volunteers to make time to socialize with the cats too! Volunteers can spend time brushing, petting, and cuddling the cats; playing with toys; and building their trust in humans. A cat who is well socialized is happier, healthier, and more adoptable!
Be sure to click Adopt-a-Condo when you sign up to volunteer! You can simply show up at the shelter in the early morning and ask for Diane.
Training: Adopt-a-Condo volunteers are trained in-the-job.
Commitment: We ask that you are able to commit to cleaning the condos on a weekly basis.
Hours: daily, year-round, mornings beginning at 7:30 am
Adopt-a-Condo volunteers are the heart and soul of keeping the cats healthy and happy. Volunteers in the Adopt-a-Condo program give love and attention to the cats while they clean their living space called a cat condo. Cat condos need to be cleaned on a daily basis...provide fresh linens, change the litter, sweep the floor, etc. Cleaning the kennels not only provides the cats with a place they enjoy living in, it also makes the shelter a warm, welcoming place for visitors.
BENCHS encourages Adopt-a-Condo volunteers to make time to socialize with the cats too! Volunteers can spend time brushing, petting, and cuddling the cats; playing with toys; and building their trust in humans. A cat who is well socialized is happier, healthier, and more adoptable!
Be sure to click Adopt-a-Condo when you sign up to volunteer! You can simply show up at the shelter in the early morning and ask for Diane.
Training: Adopt-a-Condo volunteers are trained in-the-job.
Commitment: We ask that you are able to commit to cleaning the condos on a weekly basis.
Hours: daily, year-round, mornings beginning at 7:30 am
Foster Home Volunteers
We receive kittens and puppies at the shelter that are too young to be placed up for immediate adoption. We also receive cats and dogs with minor illnesses or injuries that require temporary in-home care. Fostering an animal can be a lot of work, but it provides much needed socialization and a greater chance of survival for the animal. If you are up to the challenge, it can be most rewarding. Before you agree to provide foster care, ask yourself these important questions:
Complete the foster application today! |
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CleanersA great portion of every day at BENCHS is dedicated to cleaning. Some of the cleaning our volunteers help with on a regular basis are: washing windows, dusting, laundry, cleaning kennels/condos as needed, straightening supplies, etc. There is always something that needs to be done!
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Ideas for Kids
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BENCHS is always looking for ways to involve children in the rescuing of dogs and cats! Here are some ideas:
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Writer
We are looking for someone to take over as editor for our monthly e-newsletter. Position requires regular communication with the Board of Directors and Executive Director on content, ensuring articles are submitted in a timely manner, proofing for spelling and grammatical accuracy. The editor may also be responsible for creating content.
We are also in need of writers for short e-newsletter articles. Writers may be asked to conduct interviews and do research. Ability to meet a deadline, accurate spelling and grammar is required. If you would like more information, please email volunteer@benchs.org. |
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Outdoors
Yard work, snow removal, flower garden upkeep
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Tech SavvyOur many events need posters, handouts and publicity materials.
Enter data into our programs or other computer-related projects |
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Crafters
There is a continuous need for blankets, beds and toys.
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