Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are vital to our success! They help raise general awareness of animal welfare issues and assist staff to carry out the mission of the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center throughout our community. Volunteering at the Center is both educational and fun. Knowing that an animal is benefiting from your generosity and compassion is very a rewarding experience for you and the Center staff. Volunteers are required to attend an orientation, complete an application, and sign a waiver. Additional training classes are required for those who work directly with animals. Orientations are scheduled several times each month. Because they are well attended, signing up early is recommended. Orientation sign up sheets are located in the front lobby of the Animal Center at 4852 Sand Rd. SE Iowa City. Volunteers are required to be at least 18 years old or obtain special permission from a parent or guardian and the Animal Center Volunteer Coordinator. Following are brief descriptions of the volunteer opportunities. For more specific information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@facf.org or (319) 356-5295. Volunteer Job Descriptions: Dog Volunteer As a dog volunteer you will be enhancing the lives of dogs in our facility. You will be working hands-on with the dogs outside their kennels. This helps reduce their stress level, teaches them manners, and helps the staff evaluate the dog’s temperament. Dog volunteers are separated into levels of service (green or yellow) depending on ability and fulfillment of requirements. All volunteers will start at the green level unless approved for advancement by the Volunteer Coordinator. Minimum requirements for dog volunteers (in this order):      Animal Center Orientation (1/2 hour at Animal Center)      Green Dog class (3 hours at Animal Center) Optional:      Paws to Train class (3 hours at Animal Center) Cat Volunteer As a cat volunteer you will be enhancing the lives of cats in our facility. You will be working hands-on with the cats in our main cat adoption areas. More advanced level volunteers may work with special needs cats, unweaned or sick cats, injured cats, and cats currently unavailable for adoption. Your work with the cats helps reduce stress and encourages animals to socialize and therefore makes adoption of these animals more likely. Cat volunteers are separated into levels of service (green or yellow) depending on ability and fulfillment of requirements. All volunteers will start at the green level unless otherwise approved by the Volunteer Coordinator. Minimum requirements for cat volunteers (in this order):      Animal Center Orientation (1/2 hour at Animal Center)      Green Cat class (1 1/2 hours at Animal Center) Mobile Adoption Assistant As a mobile adoption volunteer, you will transport animals and or equipment to off site locations for adoption promotion. You will assist the public and answer questions about the animals and the Center. You are responsible for maintaining the health of the animals with you. Mobile adoption volunteers must meet the requirements of the green level volunteer and must have Animal Center staff recommendation for this position. Front Office Assistant As a front office assistant, you will greet the public and answer general questions relating to Center policy and procedures. You will advise them on the process of observing and adopting animals. You will assist with clerical aspects of the office including; filing, phone work, computer input, and adoption and spay/neuter follow up. Training for front office volunteers takes place on the job during open hours. Kennel Assistant Kennel Assistants are among the most necessary and important volunteers we have. These volunteers work directly with Animal Care Technicians or independently in the cleaning and maintaining of all animal areas throughout the facility. Most kennel assistant work takes place between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Monday- Friday (starting at 7 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Additional help is necessary in the afternoon between 3p.m. and 5 p.m. Kennel volunteers must meet the requirements of green level dog or cat training. Community Events FACF and the Animal Center are involved with many different types of community events. Volunteers are always needed to assist with all aspects of planning and operating these events. Event volunteers are required to complete the ½ hour Animal Center Orientation. Dog Trainers Dog trainers will take specific dogs in need of training to Spot & Company Dog Obedience School for 6 week sessions. Sessions take place once a week, usually on Sundays. We use only positive reinforcement to train the dogs at the Center to build their confidence and trust in humans. This training helps prepare dogs to go into new homes and cuts down on the euthanasia of animals due to behavioral problems. Dog trainers must reach a level of yellow dog volunteer, work at least 4 hours a month for 1 year, and have Animal Center staff recommendation for this position. Facility Grounds/Building These volunteers help beautify the area inside and outside the facility. They may be involved in gardening projects, painting, cleaning, or trash pick-up. Volunteers should be available as projects arise. Facility volunteers are required to complete the ½ hour Animal Center Orientation. Cold Noses Warm Hearts Foster Care Program Volunteer Foster Care Volunteers care for an animal from the Iowa City Animal Center for a temporary period of time in their own home, with the intent of making it ready for adoption to a forever home. Many kinds of animals require foster care such as bottle fed kittens and puppies, animals with health or behavior issues, and those that have been impounded for welfare reasons. The Animal Center provides supplies such as food, litter, bedding, a haven or crate, feeding bowls, toys, and medication. The volunteer provides time cleaning, socializing, administering medications, transporting to veterinary appointments, and caring for the animal until it is ready for adoption. Foster care volunteers attend an orientation and interview with the Foster Care Coordinator as well as an on site home inspection.

Friends of the Animal Center Foundation
PO Box 1345
Iowa City, Iowa 52244

Telephone: 319-887-6083

email: info@facf.org