If you are interested in volunteering with us for one of the below positions, or wish to offer a specific skill, and meet the Volunteer Capabilities, please fill out our volunteer interest form. You will then receive an email invitation to our next Volunteer Information Session. If you have any additional questions, please email: volunteer@seattleareafelinerescue.org.
Specialty Skills Needed
In addition to the below, we may also be able to use the services of vets and vet technicians, general contractors, IT professionals, fundraising and/or events specialists, grant writers, web/social media professionals, graphic design, and more!
Volunteer Jobs – Basic Descriptions
The following are basic, generic descriptions and could be modified at any time.
Adoption Counselor
Purpose: To assist the public with all parts of the adoption process: Screen potential adopters and assist them in their adoption selection, have productive and informative conversations in order to educate the potential adopter, and overall, create a positive experience for the adopter and a good adoption outcome for our cats and kittens.
Requirements: 18 years or older. Able to commit to a set weekly shift for a minimum six consecutive month commitment, after completing adoption counselor training. Must complete cat care and retail training and shifts, and demonstrate high level proficiency in both before moving into adoption counselor training, or have previous experience. Understand the differences in cat personalities and how they may affect an adoption outcome. Demonstrate efficiency and comfort handling cats. Excellent people and communication skills. Represent SAFe Rescue in a positive and appropriate manner. Basic computer skills and ability to learn our shelter database program. Be an active learner and listener.
PLEASE NOTE: Mastery of our adoption process, protocols, and standards of service and care must be exhibited prior to facilitating adoptions on your own. Simply participating in training does not guarantee you a position as an adoption counselor. You must have an open mind and both the ability and willingness to learn the skills listed below:
Duties
- Greet guests and potential adopters, answer questions, have informative conversations to understand what would be the best match for the adopters household and lifestyle.
- Oversee meeting between potential adopter and cat to ensure proper handling and a good match. Ensure proper sanitization procedure between meeting each cat.
- Know individual cats well enough to answer questions about individual animals for potential guardians and guests.
- Socialize and groom adoption ready cats. Make notes and observations on their behavior toward different adopters.
- Ensure all cats have fresh water and dry bedding. Refill water and food bowls as needed.
- Maintain the overall cleanliness of the cat room, while following sanitation protocols at all times. Change litter boxes, as needed. Sweep the floor clean of litter or food periodically.
- Introduce new adopters to products that the retail section carries, the benefits of types of food, as well as proper feeding protocol based on individual cats.
- Process adoption paperwork, explain adoption agreement and medical history, advise on new cat introduction, licensing, and vaccinations.
- Operating the cash register, handling money and using the credit card machine.
Supervisor: Adoption Center Manager/Volunteer and Shelter Manager
Training: Information Session, Multiple Hands-On Training, counselor shadowing
Shift Availability: Shifts are available during our adoption hours: 1 pm-7 pm, Thursday through Sunday.
Administrative Support
Purpose: To assist with management of paperwork.
Requirements: 17 years or older. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Basic proficiency with computers, including Windows 8, printing, scanning, and the ability to learn how to use a basic database program. Be able to bend for filing paperwork.
Duties:
- Scan paperwork.
- File paperwork.
- Data entry.
- Other special projects, as needed.
Supervisor: Volunteer and Shelter Manager
Training: Information Session, Hands-on Training
Shift Availability: Shifts are flexible, but mostly available Mondays through Wednesdays between 11AM – 7PM.
Cat Care
Purpose: To keep cat kennels clean and comfortable for the resident cats.
Requirements: 17 years or older. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for two hours while working directly with cats and kittens. Be comfortable with direct contact with cats and kittens, dirty litter boxes, and cleaning agents such as bleach and accelerated hydrogen peroxide. Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. Willingness and ability to learn the following tasks:
Duties:
- Spot clean cat cages daily for each cat.
- Prepare clean litter pans, food, and water bowls.
- Clean dirty litter boxes and food bowls after cage cleaning is complete, washing dishes by hand or in our sanitizer.
- Observe general cat behavior and make note of important changes.
- Keep supply prep room clean and sanitary.
- Sweep and mop.
- Laundry
Supervisor: Cat Care Leads/Volunteer and Shelter Manager
Training: Information Session, Hands-on Training
Shift Availability: Shifts are available every day from 10 am-12 pm and from 5-7 pm.
Time Commitment: Volunteers are scheduled for a two-hour shift each week. There is a three-month minimum weekly commitment. Dependability is essential.
Clean Team
Purpose: To keep the rescue and all necessary supplies for caring for cats and kittens clean.
Requirements: Age 16 or older. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for two hours. Direct contact with dirty litter boxes and cleaning agents such as bleach and accelerated hydrogen peroxide. Willingness and ability to learn the following tasks:
Duties:
- Hand-wash dishes and litter boxes.
- Using sanitizer to wash/sanitize dishes and litter boxes
- Laundry
- Sweep and mop floors.
- Wipe down counter tops and surfaces.
- Empty trashcans.
- Clean and sanitize crates.
- Other cleaning, as needed.
Supervisor: Volunteer and Shelter Manager
Training: Information Session, Hands-on Training
Shift Availability: Shifts are available throughout the day.
Crate Crew
Purpose: To ensure cat transport crates are sanitized, stored properly, and ready for use.
Requirements: Age 16 or older. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for two hours. Should be able to work outside regardless of weather conditions. Direct contact with dirty crates and cleaning agents such as bleach and accelerated hydrogen peroxide. Willingness and ability to learn the following tasks:
Duties:
- Cleaning dirty crates.
- Organizing clean crates.
- Assembling crates properly (as needed).
- Other special projects (as needed).
Supervisor: Volunteer and Shelter Manager
Training: Information Session, Hands-on Training
Shift Availability: Shifts are flexible.
Enrichment
Purpose: Reducing stress in the cats in the rescue without direct petting
Requirements: 17 years or older. Has finished 30 hours on Clean Team, and 30 hours on Cat Care. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for two hours while working directly with cats and kittens. Be comfortable with direct contact with cats and kittens, dirty litter boxes, and cleaning agents such as bleach and accelerated hydrogen peroxide. Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. Willingness and ability to learn the following tasks:
Duties:
- Work with cats and help with their basic and emotional needs
- Record and keep track of the enrichment done on each cat
- Help socialize cats and kittens and make them familiar with and trust human
Supervisor: Volunteer and Shelter Manager
Training Required: Information Session, Fear Free Shelter Modules, Cat Care training and Clean Team training
Shift Availability: Shifts are available every day
Time Commitment: Volunteers are scheduled for a two-hour shift each week. There is a three-month minimum weekly commitment. Dependability is essential.
Front Desk and Greeter
Purpose: To greet the public and provide them with information about SAFe.
Requirements: 17 years or older. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for two hours while working directly with cats and kittens. Be comfortable with direct contact with cats and kittens, dirty litter boxes, and cleaning agents such as bleach and accelerated hydrogen peroxide. Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. Willingness and ability to learn the following tasks:
Duties
- Nicely greet the adopters and customers
- Provide information or brochure to people if needed
- Recommend products to customers in the retail section
- Contact adopters on tablets and respond to messages
- Answer calls
- Help adopters check out
- Accept donation and provide tax receipt if needed
- Sweep and mop
Supervisor: Volunteer and Shelter Manager/Retail Lead
Training Required: Information Session, Hands-on Training
Shift Availability: Shifts are available Thursdays to Sundays 1pm-7pm
Time Commitment: Volunteers are scheduled for a two-hour shift each week. There is a three-month minimum weekly commitment. Dependability is essential.
Pet Pantry
Purpose: To keep the Stay SAFe Pet Pantry well-organized, sanitized, and stocked.
Requirements: 17 years or older. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for two hours while working directly with cats and kittens. Be comfortable with direct contact with cats and kittens, dirty litter boxes, and cleaning agents such as bleach and accelerated hydrogen peroxide. Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. Willingness and ability to learn the following tasks:
Duties:
- Organize the Pet Pantry
- Clean the pantry of dirt or trash
- Record the amount of donations put out in the pantry
- Restock the Pet Pantry
- Sweep the Pet Pantry area
Supervisor: Volunteer and Shelter Manager/Donor Relations Specialist
Training Required: Information Session, Hands-on Training
Shift Availability: Shifts are available every day, flexible timeslot
Time Commitment: Volunteers are scheduled for a two-hour shift each week. There is a three-month minimum weekly commitment. Dependability is essential.
Photographer
Purpose: To take photographs of adoptable kittens and cats in the rescue as well as fundraising photos and other general photography of the rescue
Requirements: Must have own camera as well as own editing software. 17 years or older. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for two hours while working directly with cats and kittens. Be comfortable with direct contact with cats and kittens, dirty litter boxes, and cleaning agents such as bleach and accelerated hydrogen peroxide. Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. Willingness and ability to learn the following tasks:
Duties:
- Take photographs of adoptable kittens and cats in the rescue or other SAFe photo needs
- Edit photographs and upload to the cats profile
- Edit photographs and upload to shared drive
Supervisor: Volunteer and Shelter Manager
Training Required: Information Session, Hands-on Training
Shift Availability: Shifts are available every day 11am-7pm
Time Commitment: Volunteers are scheduled for a two-hour shift each week. There is a three-month minimum weekly commitment. Dependability is essential.
Remote Adoption Support
Purpose: To remotely work from home, check and forward email inquiries before adoption hours
Requirements: 17 years or older. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Ability to use google systems and own computers. Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. Willingness and ability to learn the following tasks:
Duties:
- Check adoption email inbox before the adoption hours
- Forward emails to the proper person as needed
- Answer basic questions that potential adopters have
Supervisor: Volunteer and Shelter Manager/Adoption Retention Specialist
Training Required: Information Session, Hands-on Training
Shift Availability: Shifts are available every day remotely before 1pm
Time Commitment: Volunteers are scheduled for a two-hour shift each week. There is a three-month minimum weekly commitment. Dependability is essential.
Remote Post-Adoption Support
Purpose: To email adopters after 3 days, 3 months, and 3 weeks to assist in the adopted cat’s adjustment to their new home.
Requirements: 17 years or older. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Ability to use google systems and own computers. Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. Willingness and ability to learn the following tasks:
Duties:
- Check adoption email inbox and email previous adopters to assist with the new home adjustment process
- Forward emails to the proper person as needed
- Answer basic questions that previous adopters have
Supervisor: Volunteer and Shelter Manager/Adoption Retention Specialist
Training Required: Information Session, Hands-on Training
Shift Availability: Shifts are available every day remotely
Time Commitment: Volunteers are scheduled for a two-hour shift each week. There is a three-month minimum weekly commitment. Dependability is essential.
Transport
Purpose: To drive and transport donations and cats from airport or other locations to the rescue
Requirements: 17 years or older. Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift for three consecutive months of service. Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for two hours while working directly with cats and kittens. Be comfortable with direct contact with cats and kittens, dirty litter boxes, and cleaning agents such as bleach and accelerated hydrogen peroxide. Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. Willingness and ability to learn the following tasks:
Duties:
- Donation pick-up and drop-off
- Cats and kittens pick-up and drop-off
Supervisor: Shelter and Volunteer Manager/Intake Manager
Training Required: Information Session, Hands-on Training
Shift Availability: Shifts are available flexible days
Time Commitment: Volunteers are scheduled for a two-hour shift each week. There is a three-month minimum weekly commitment. Dependability is essential.