Volunteering at BENCHS
Volunteering is critical to the health and wellbeing 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.
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.
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If you'd like to volunteer, please click the link below. If you are volunteering as a student or for just a short period of time, please click the "short-term" volunteer link
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Volunteers, please sign in every time you volunteer. Use the Volunteer Login button above. The number of volunteers and the hours that they work helps us to secure grants to keep our program strong.
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Dog Walkers
DOG WALKING HOURS
Spring/Summer Hours
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
For first time walkers, arrive 15 minutes before each session for orientation.
ORIENTATION SESSION
On your first day as a dog walker, you will need to request Dog Walker Orientation. The orientation only takes about 15 minutes, so you must arrive early for dog walking that day.
Orientations are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays, 15 minutes prior to the start of dog walking hours. All dog walkers are required to attend a session. If you plan to be a morning or weekend walker and the orientation on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon does not fit with your schedule, email dogwalker@benchs.org. A coordinator will work with your schedule to do a one-on-one orientation and training.
CHECK IN AND OUT
Please check in at the front desk. You are expected to clean up after the dog -- bags are provided. When you are finished, 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.
COMMITTED DOG WALKERS
If you find you really love dog walking and can make a weekly commitment, please let the person training you know. Additional dog walking hours are available to trained and approved volunteers.
The greatest need is for committed walkers, whether it is for one hour a week or more, whatever works with your life schedule. Walkers are expected to commit to walking once a week for a period of at least 3 months.
Spring/Summer Hours
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
For first time walkers, arrive 15 minutes before each session for orientation.
ORIENTATION SESSION
On your first day as a dog walker, you will need to request Dog Walker Orientation. The orientation only takes about 15 minutes, so you must arrive early for dog walking that day.
Orientations are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays, 15 minutes prior to the start of dog walking hours. All dog walkers are required to attend a session. If you plan to be a morning or weekend walker and the orientation on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon does not fit with your schedule, email dogwalker@benchs.org. A coordinator will work with your schedule to do a one-on-one orientation and training.
CHECK IN AND OUT
Please check in at the front desk. You are expected to clean up after the dog -- bags are provided. When you are finished, 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.
COMMITTED DOG WALKERS
If you find you really love dog walking and can make a weekly commitment, please let the person training you know. Additional dog walking hours are available to trained and approved volunteers.
The greatest need is for committed walkers, whether it is for one hour a week or more, whatever works with your life schedule. Walkers are expected to commit to walking once a week for a period of at least 3 months.
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Adopt-a-Condo
Volunteer at BENCHS to help out our feline visitors our new Adopt-A-Condo.
COMMITMENT Weekly Visits RESPONSIBILITIES Give love, clean the condo and help to reduce anxiety of the kitties. Whatever reason you have for wanting to volunteer at BENCHS, the Adopt-a-Condo program is a great one to consider for cat lovers. |
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Fostering...dogs and cats
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:
Email the program coordinators to schedule a meeting to foster today! |
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CleanersA great portion of every day at RRPS is dedicated to cleaning.
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Ideas for KidsBENCHS is always looking for ways to involve children in the rescuing of dogs and cats! Here are some ideas:
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ReceptionistStafff the front desk during adoption hours.
Staff the front desk during dog walking hours MNSNAP: The spay/neuter mobile arrives once a month (7:30 - 9:30 a.m.) and volunteers are needed to assist with check-in. |
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Intake AssistantHelp with the intake process for new animals
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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 Shelter Manager 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
SNOW REMOVAL. Searching for a committed volunteer(s) to help with the removal of snow on our sidewalks, walking paths for the dogs and near our garage doors. Our snowblower has just been tuned up and ready for use.
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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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