The following roles require some training, and some involve a regular time commitment - generally weekly, or more often if you choose. Some functions can be done from home or on an as-needed basis. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Young people between 12 and 17 years old may volunteer with a parent present during their duties.
You don’t need prior experience in any of these areas - we will happily provide training. If any of these roles interest you, please ask for more details:
Kitty Care Assistant: Take a regular AM or PM shift at our Cañon City cat-only shelter, feeding, interacting, and playing with cats, cleaning kitty rooms, scooping litter, and more.
Kitty Companion: Come make some new kitty friends by engaging cats in play, giving affection, or even reading them a good book. We have lots of fun ways to enrich the cats’ experiences.
Medical Team Member: Administer medications, vaccinations, and other support needed for both general intake and when cats require ongoing medication. This is a great role for people with nursing or other healthcare experience (no experience necessary - we provide detailed training).
TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) Program: Help with the humane trapping of community and working cats for spay/neuter. (Must be able to lift 20 lbs.)
Fostering: Foster cats and/or kittens in your home. This requires an annual home visit for approval as a foster parent. JJ’s provides all food, litter, and supplies, so there should be no cost to the foster parent. Bottle feeders are always needed - if you have a flexible schedule, we’ll provide detailed training.
Transportation: We have ongoing but varying transportation needs, including:
- Transporting cats in your personal vehicle or the organization’s minivan to spay/neuter clinics in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, or local (Cañon City) clinics.
- Transporting cats to local veterinarian appointments.
- Picking up large amounts of wet and dry food from suppliers (a truck, van, or trailer is helpful, as loads can be heavy). Suppliers are typically located within 60–90 minutes of Cañon City.
- Delivering food within Fremont County to working cat colony managers.
Cleaning: Clean equipment and TNR traps, help with deep cleaning of cat rooms, and launder bedding, linens, etc., at our shelter. This can be done on a regular schedule or as needed.
Spay/Neuter Clinic Support: Assist with our pet and community/working cat spay/neuter clinics. Support at clinics can take many forms.
Administrative Work: Help with paperwork, records, scheduling, and similar tasks.
Sewing: Sew covers, pads, and other items for carriers, TNR traps, and recovery kennels. We provide the materials - you provide the sewing skills and time.
Handy Work: Help with repairs and maintenance at our shelter.
