Animal Welfare Professionals

I receive several requests a month from local organizations, church groups, businesses, schools, seeking group volunteer opportunites.  They're usually ask for a one-time event, on a weekend or evening, that can inclulde their children, and, of course, "playing with the animals." 

The group opportunities we have involve helping with our yearly fundraiser or at outreach events throughout the year and these groups are rarely, if ever, interested in helping with them. I don't have any that include kids or allow them to "play." Im working on creating an 18 and under program, but I'm a good six months out before I'm ready to launch anything. 

How do you all respond to these inquiries? What creative, successful group volunteering activities have you done? Any that included kids? 

Thank you for any and all guidance you can give me!

Anita

#CommunityPartnerships*

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Anita Parisot
Volunteer and Event Coordinator
Companions Animal Center
ID
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I offer a couple options for group/one-time volunteers, both including kids and not. Today, I actually have faculty from a local college doing yard work for us (trimming trees, pulling weeds, etc)!

My rules for groups are:

• 16 years old and up only
• 2-4 hour shifts
• Recommend scheduling it 4 weeks in advance (because I do need to have myself or a staff member to be there and available to them during the shift)

I always let them know upfront that group volunteers/one-time volunteers do not get to interact with our pets one-on-one. I usually offer to end their volunteer session with a tour/pet meet-n-greet. That typically goes over well! For the group today, they are working for 2 hours and then spending 1 hour on a facility tour/dog meet-n-greet.

I attached my flyer for "corporate/group volunteer groups" for you to check out. I also attached the form/waivers I have the organizer fill out for the group! 

For kids, I recommend "at home" volunteer projects. Here's my youth page on the site: https://rvspca.org/youth-volunteering/ 

People can also email me for a larger booklet of "at home" projects (I tried to attach it but it didn't work).

If it's a group of kids (Scouts, etc), I direct them to our Education programs: https://rvspca.org/resources-education/scouting-programs/

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Erin Dams
Community Relations Coordinator
Roanoke Valley SPCA
Roanoke VA
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We get these requests and accommodate the groups  to the best of our capabilities.  It has been  anything from raking the lawn, making cat toys, walking dogs, and yes playtime with our cats in the adoption rooms.

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Rochelle Hamp
Executive Director
Headwaters Animal Shelter
MN
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