Are you a guru when it comes to reading dog and/or cat body language? Interested in learning more? Our orientation series covers science-supported animal handling to help volunteers safely & ethically interact with animals in TJO's care while performing important duties at the shelter. We will help you develop the ‘keen observation skills’ mentioned in the job descriptions below, all that's required is an interest in learning. Not all roles involve direct animal care, for an overview of volunteering with TJO, and upcoming orientation dates, please visit the VOLUNTEER page. Please note, there are no evening hours at the shelter, volunteer shifts go no later than 4 pm.

KENNEL CLEANING, 8 am – 10 or 11 am
Description: 
Each section of kennels on the adoption floor is cleaned while dogs wait in the outdoor kennels. Once an indoor section is clean, the dogs outside are walked around the building and returned to their clean kennels. Kennels are typically cleaned by a team of 2 volunteers.
Requirements: 
This position requires a certain amount of strength and stamina including bending, mopping, keen observation skills, the ability to manage both small and large dogs who are sometimes excited and strong, and patience. Because this is a team effort, cleaning kennels also requires effective communication. 
Volunteer Feedback: 
Volunteers typically enjoy the teamwork and camaraderie that develops from this role. “Poop isn’t a big deal, powerful hoses take care of it. I love preparing a kennel by making it clean, and providing new, soft bedding & toys to make their stay here as comfortable as possible. And I get my steps in while walking them before bringing them to their clean kennel.”
Commitment: 
This role requires the ability to reliably commit to one morning a week. Retirees or folks with a work schedule permitting one morning a week, do well in this role. 

MORNING ENRICHMENT, 8 am – 10 or 11 am
Description:
Volunteers who provide enrichment remain in the outdoor kennels as dogs are rotated by the kennel-cleaning volunteers. 
Requirements:
This role requires keen observation skills, and little in the way of physical strength. 
Volunteer Feedback: 
Volunteers enjoy getting to know individual dogs and their preferences while providing one-on-one attention. “Being able to form a bond with dogs, and watch them enjoying an activity, is beautiful.”
Commitment: 
Because this role does not impact the overall functioning of the shelter, the commitment requirement is less rigid. While enrichment is a crucial aspect of meeting dogs’ needs, volunteers with less reliable schedules can be more easily accommodated with this role.

DOG WALKER/ENRICHMENT, 11 am – 4 pm, shifts are typically 1 - 2 hours 
Description:
Dogs are walked around the TJO property and can be placed in an outdoor kennel for one-on-one time in addition to a walk (or in place of a walk depending on the dog’s needs). Enrichment is an important part of dog walking, including lots of sniffing and exploring the environment. 
Requirements:
This role requires good balance, keen observations skills, strength/stamina, and patience, to manage large dogs who may be excited or over-aroused, and pull during walks. 
Volunteer Feedback: 
Volunteers enjoy being outside & the additional exercise they get while providing exercise and mental enrichment to dogs on the adoption floor, as well as interacting with a variety of dogs. 
Commitment: 
To help dogs cope with the stressful shelter environment, it’s particularly important they are able to get out for fresh air, and have options throughout each day for exercise and mental enrichment. Volunteers should be able to reliably come to the shelter for one shift a week. 

OFF-SITE DOG WALKER, as needed between 11 am – 4 pm
Description:
Getting dogs off-site to another environment full of new smells, sights, and sounds, is not only a great way to provide exercise, it’s a form of enrichment that can broaden their world and help build confidence. Once volunteers have become comfortable in the dog walking/enrichment role ON site, they can branch out and begin to take dogs off-site to a specific location. Additional training will be provided to those interested in participating. 
Requirements:
This role requires some strength and stamina to manage excited pups who may pull, keen observation skills, an overall awareness of the surroundings, and strong ‘management’ skills (to be covered in training). 
Commitment: 
Volunteers who have gained experience providing exercise/enrichment on shelter grounds are able to provide minimal notice and choose an appropriate dog for off-site walking/enrichment without making a weekly commitment. Additional information will be provided prior to taking on this role. 

LAUNDRY  **current openings are Mondays anywhere from 8 am - 4 pm
Description:
Volunteers who assist with laundry also perform other tasks while laundry is being washed/dried, such as sorting through donations, inspecting toy donations for safety, and neatening the laundry area. Other tasks can include preparing treats and washing dishes. This role can be social or quiet depending on the individual.   
Requirements:
Volunteers must be able to bend, lift a moderate amount of weight to put towels and blankets on shelves, and roll a full cart. 
Volunteer Feedback:
“This is a great role for someone who enjoys keeping an area organized and clean.” 
Commitment:
Laundry is an important role that ensures animals have clean bedding and toys, and prevents donations from piling up. We ask that volunteers commit reliably to one shift a week. 

GREETER, M/Tu/Thu/Fri, 12N-3:30  **This role currently has no openings**
Description:
The greeter welcomes folks at the door to help them find what they need, to include, picking up their lost pet, looking to adopt a pet, looking for assistance rehoming a pet, seeking animal control assistance etc.  
Requirements:
Greeters need to be able to work with both the community and staff to triage people who come to the shelter and direct them appropriately. There are times traffic is high requiring the ability to multitask and be mindful of when folks arrive to help minimize long wait periods.  
Volunteer Feedback:
Commitment:
In order to keep traffic flowing smoothly and assisting staff with inquiries, we ask that volunteers commit reliably to one shift a week. 

FACEBOOK ASSIGNMENTS – remote 
Description:
Once the Welcome Session has been attended, volunteers are invited to join the private volunteer page where we post requests for assistance such as transporting animals, errands, projects, and community events. 
Requirements:
Volunteer orientation, professional conduct when interacting with the public, strong communication skills, the ability to be prompt. 
Volunteer Feedback:
Commitment:
This role does not require a regular commitment; volunteers can pick up assignments when time allows.

FOSTERING – please visit the Foster Program page for an overview, and a link to the foster application
Description: 
Fostering includes providing a safe place for an animal to decompress, heal (behaviorally or medically), and learn the ropes of living in a home with patience, guidance, and positive reinforcement. Fostering can also mean nurturing babies and setting them up for success. Fosters are asked to attend the Welcome Session as well as one of the Safe & Ethical Animal Handling sessions (cats or dogs) or both. Many animals are frightened and vulnerable and may not be ideal candidates for homes with other animals. 
Requirements: 
Fosters are NOT required to purchase food, medications, or supplies. Fosters ARE required to communicate progress and observations, and follow advice and instructions regarding the animal’s care, both medically and behaviorally.
Volunteer Feedback: 
“It was great watching this pup heal and become a more relaxed, happy dog. I will do it again.”
Commitment: 
Fostering can be an enormous commitment as fosters build a bond with the animal in their care. While this can be an emotional commitment, it allows the animals to heal, decompress from a stressful environment, and learn to trust. Fostering is an act of love that will help an animal find a suitable home.

Cats  - **DETAILS COMING SOON**
Description:
Requirements:
Volunteer Feedback:
Commitment: