Cat Volunteer Training

Paws and Tails University

paws and tails university

CAT 101

SICSA is always looking for talented and passionate individuals to help us support and care for the animals in our care.

If you are interested in volunteering and working directly with our cats, please complete the Cat 101 training. There are two parts to the Cat 101 course:

Watching the Cat 101 Training Video
Passing the Orientation Post-Test

CAT 101 Training VIDeo

CAT 101 Post Test

Note: Kids between the ages of 8-14 can participate in cat and dog kennel activities or Paw Partners with their parent or guardian. Our Parent-Youth-Partner Program (PYPer) teaches children the importance of treating animals humanely and will prepare them for the responsibility of owning a pet, while allowing them to work side-by-side with a parent or guardian. Questions? Scroll down to read more about our program or visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

Join us at SICSA for an informational open house to learn more about our volunteer program and foster program.

Check back for dates and times.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) About Volunteering

We appreciate any time volunteers devote to SICSA! However, we greatly depend on volunteers coming in on a regular basis for dog walking or cat kennel cleaning, as well as various other events. We ask that SICSA volunteers complete at least four hours of service per month. These hours can be split based on volunteer schedule, and we have a convenient, online system that volunteers utilize to sign up for shifts. We ask that volunteers sign up for these shifts ahead of time so that we know who is coming in and can plan schedules accordingly.

Volunteers are considered active provided they have volunteered at least once in the last six months. Volunteers who have been inactive for a year or more will be asked to retake training classes.

Thank you for your interest in group volunteering or community service opportunities at SICSA! Due to a number of variables, we are not always able to accommodate groups of volunteers. To inquire about possible opportunities, please contact SICSA’s Volunteer Manager, Leah O’Malley at lomalley@sicsa.org or call (937) 294-6505 ext. 25.

Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate court- appointed community service at this time.

After completing orientation, volunteers may choose to take additional instruction for animal care. Dog 101 is the basic dog handling class to allow volunteers to walk dogs. The first part of Dog 101 is online instruction with a quiz. After successfully completing the quiz, volunteers can sign up for the in-person instruction at SICSA in Pup Town through Volgistics. Cat 101 is the basic cat handling class to allow volunteers to work in Kitty City with the cat enrichment and kennel cleaning. The first part of Cat 101 in online instruction with a quiz. After successfully completing the quiz, volunteers can sign up for the in-person instruction at SICSA through Volgistics.

Unfortunately, we do not offer programs for court ordered community service.

Additionally, if you have ever been convicted of a felony you must disclose the date and the nature of the crime. Information will be kept confidential. If you have been convicted of any violent crimes against people or animals, theft, weapons or drug charges you will not be accepted into our program. Background checks may be required. You must disclose if you are currently under a Labor & Industry claim, or have been released from any other volunteer position. Persons found withholding this information will be terminated immediately.

Available Positions For Adult Volunteers

Animal Care

Objective

To ensure cats have quality interaction with humans to enrich their social and mental wellbeing and overall happiness.

Qualifications

Must be 18 years of age or older to participate in SICSA’s adult volunteer program.

Training

All Cat Kennel Volunteers must complete Cat 101 online training course and test. Then sign up for Cat 101 course at SICSA through Volgistics.

Supervision

Cat Kennel Volunteers report directly to the Animal Care Technician (ACT) on duty as well as the Volunteer Manager.

Physical Demands

Frequent standing, bending, reaching, kneeling, sitting on the floor and walking required.
Comfortable handling animals with unknown backgrounds as well as consistent exposure to animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.

Must be comfortable working with and handling animals of varying temperaments.

Objective

To ensure that all cats have a clean, safe, comfortable kennel.

Responsibilities

Make sure the cat is in the opposite side of the kennel
Clean the side kennel as necessary to remove all debris
Take dirty laundry to the laundry room
Replace bedding
Clean litter box
Make sure the cat has fresh water
Clean other side of the kennel

Qualifications

Must be 18 years of age or older to participate in SICSA’s adult volunteer program.

Training

All Cat Kennel Volunteers must complete Cat 101 online training course and test. Then sign up for Cat 101 course at SICSA through Volgistics.

Preferred Commitment

One weekly 2-hour shift. We ask that volunteers complete at least four hours of service per month.

Supervision

Cat Kennel Volunteers report directly to the Animal Care Technician (ACT) on duty as well as the Volunteer Manager.

Physical Demands

Frequently lifts, carries, and positions objects when moving supplies and cleaning. Frequent standing, bending, reaching, kneeling, sitting on the floor and walking required.
Comfortable handling animals with unknown backgrounds as well as consistent exposure to animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
Must be comfortable working with and handling animals of varying temperaments

Housekeeping & Administrative

Objective

To represent SICSA in the community at events such as parades, festivals, concerts, or adoption events. This may include taking adoptable animals into the community to attract potential adopters, as well as educating members of the general public about SICSA’s animal welfare programs.

Responsibilities may include:

Greeting members of the general public in a friendly manner.
Knowledgeable about SICSA’s programs and able to educate the general public about the following: Public Spay/Neuter, Humane Education programs, the Paw Partner and Volunteer programs, and Adoptions.
Working with the Adoption Specialist onsite to promote the adoptability of animals both at the event and at SICSA.
May be responsible for the loading and transport of adoptable animals and/or offsite event materials. Responsible for tracking volunteer hours with SICSA’s online software or communicating this information directly to the Volunteer Services Manager.
Handling SICSA’s adoptable animals at various offsite adoption events.
Staffing a SICSA booth at a community festival – this may also include selling merchandise.
Selling beer or other adult beverages at community festivals or concerts.

Qualifications

Should enjoy working with members of the public and be comfortable handling SICSA’s animals offsite, in various environments (i.e. parades, pet stores, outdoor festivals).

Training

Offsite Event volunteers should complete SICSA’s initial dog and/or cat training, as well as an Offsite Event training course.

Preferred Commitment

One event every 1-2 months. We ask that volunteers complete at least four hours of service per month.

Supervision

Offsite Event volunteers report directly to the staff member leading each event, and also to the Volunteer Coordinator.

Physical Demands

Frequently lifts, carries, and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds when moving supplies, coordinating events/activities, and cleaning.
Comfortable handling animals with unknown backgrounds as well as consistent exposure to animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
Must be comfortable working with and handling animals of varying temperaments.

Access Volgistics

To access Volgistics from home, please use the link below. Volgistics allows you to manage a multitude of aspects within your account: from signing-up for shifts, entering service hours, managing message preferences to updating your contact details and much more!

Visit Volgistics

Please take a moment and confirm your email account is set to receive our Volgistics emails. To do this, go to your Account tab in Volgistics and review the Message Preferences section.

Cat Volunteer Training

CAT 101

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) About Volunteering

Available Positions For Adult Volunteers

Animal Care

Housekeeping & Administrative

Access Volgistics

Support The SICSA Mission

Adoption & Help Center

Hours

Veterinary Services

Hours

Quick Links