VOLUNTEER WITH JJ's

There are many ways to volunteer.  Prior experience is not necessary, just a passion for our mission, a willingness to learn a new skill and a sincere love of and compassion for animals. 

JJ’s Helping Paws is 100% volunteer-powered (including the  board of directors).  Volunteering for JJ’s is fun and very rewarding!

Volunteers contribute as much or as little time as they choose. Some volunteer opportunities can be performed at your home and other duties require being at our cat shelter in Cañon City or, at times, other locations. 

The first list of functions (marked by a number) requires some training and a regular time commitment – generally weekly (or more often if you have the time) and volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.  The second list of functions (marked by a bullet) can be fulfilled by those younger than 18 years of age and can be performed at your home. 

Opportunities:

1. Work in our TNR program trapping community cats for spay/neuter and/or provide support on spay/neuter TNR days (must be able to lift 25 lbs)
2. Become a foster parent to foster cats and/or kittens in your home
3. Transport cats (in your personal vehicle) to our rescue partners located on the Front Range as well as some mountain communities (must be able to lift 25 lbs).
4. Kitty Companion – come make some new kitty friends socializing cats and kittens in our new shelter. It’s wonderful for both felines and humans alike!
5. Kitty Care Assistant – take a regular egular shift feeding and interacting with cats, light cleaning of kitty dorms, scooping litter, etc.
6. Cleaning - take a regular shift cleaning kennels, TNR traps, laundering bedding, linens, etc., at the shelter (must be able to lift 20 lbs)
7. Pick up large amounts of pet food in NE Colorado Springs/Falcon (no regular schedule – usually once or twice a year) – must be able to lift 40 lbs and have a large SUV, medium or full-sized pick-up truck or small trailer
8. Provide support at our Free Pet Cat Spay/Neuter events (1-3 times per year)
9. Handy Work – help with repair and maintenance at our shelter 

At-Home Opportunities

• Website content and maintenance
• Handy Work - build community cat shelters, cat furniture, etc., at your home
• Sewing: Sew trap and carrier covers, padding, and cat beds (fabric and patterns provided) or sew and/or repair cat bedding
• Assist with fundraising and event planning
• Social Media Expert/Knowledge: Help us spread the word about JJ’s work through Instagram and Twitter 
• Marketing & Public Relations – engage the public utilizing social media and other communication tools and assist with advertising, marketing material, fundraising, branding, etc. 

Be assured that EVERYTHING you do helps towards fulfilling our mission! 

Volunteers directly related to animal care, working at the shelter, having access to administrative records, and/or driving on behalf of the organization will be subject to a national background check, motor vehicle record review and must carry personal auto insurance.

If you would like to join our volunteer team or learn more about a particular opportunity, please call (719) 315-1665 or e mail us at jjshelpingpaws@gmail.com.  Thank you! 

OBJECTIVES & EXPECTATIONS OF VOLUNTEERS

· Support JJ’s Helping Paws’ mission and programs both publicly and within the organization.

· Abide by the policies and procedures of JJ's Helping Paws.

· Present a positive image of our organization publically and within the organization. All of our volunteers are JJ’s Helping Paws ambassadors to our community.

· Learn from each other, support each other and share experiences and knowledge that will continue to make JJ’s a leader in our community for animal welfare.

VOLUNTEERS CAN EXPECT TO:

· be treated fairly with consideration and respect

· be appreciated and recognized for your contribution

· be a valued part of our team; to share ideas, thoughts, and suggestions openly and without judgment

· gain knowledge of JJ’s Helping Paws’ programs and the care and welfare of animals

· be an important part of our volunteer team with whom we share the desire to care for and show compassion for animals in need

· work hard, enjoy your experience and feel the satisfaction and reward of knowing your actions make a life-saving difference for the animals we serve.