Volunteer FAQ

Volunteers are required to:

• Submit an online application – includes a Volunteer Agreement and a Release and Waiver of Liability
• complete the online orientation and participate in the animal handling training session
• Commit to a minimum of 48 hours per year, or an average of 4 hours a month
• Work as a team member with all volunteers
• Treat animals in our care with kindness – “It’s all about the animals”
• Represent Friends of Rowlett Animals and themselves in a professional manner and be an advocate for the organization and the shelter
• Treat shelter staff, other volunteers, and community members/visitors with respect

The following rules apply to minors (under 18) interested in volunteering for Friends of Rowlett Animals:

• 16-17 years old – be supervised by a parent/guardian unless parent provides a parent waiver after youth and parent complete the online orientation and both participate in the animal handling training (youth and parent must each submit an individual online application)
• 12-15 years old – be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times after youth and parent complete the online orientation and both participate in the animal handling training (youth and parent must each submit an individual online application)

For any minor volunteer, a parent or legal guardian must also fill out the online application and complete the online orientation and both participate in the animal handling training.

Only oriented and trained volunteers may handle the animals. It is all about the animals (and your) safety.

Opportunities for volunteers are always changing as we grow and introduce new programs. Below is a list of current opportunities. You will receive more details and learn about our latest needs when you attend orientation.

At HOME opportunities:

• Social Media/Online Marketing – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media sites have proved to be invaluable when trying to reconnect a lost pet with its owner. Sharing this information can reach immediate area as well as out of area/state rescues and communities.
• Adoption Life Writing – Do you have a flare for the written word? Newsletters, articles, Pet of the Week bios, and other communications can always benefit from the creative writer.
• Return to Owner Searching – Can you find the needle in the haystack? If you ever have, you know the feeling of accomplishment. We need people to search social media (Facebook, local lost and found sites, Craigslist, etc.) and connect those dots to reconnect owners and their lost pets.
• Fundraising and Development – Our organization is completely dependent on donations. Finding sponsors, researching and writing grants, and other donation boosters is always a need.
• Fostering Animals – We have been rescuing cats since mid-2016, saving over 200 lives of cats that were completely adoptable but just out of time in kill shelters.  To learn more, please click here.

AWAY from home opportunities:

• Offsite Adoptions – Adoption events occur regularly as we try to put the shelter animals in front of as many potential adopters as possible. Working the events include many different shifts.  To learn more about event shifts, you can contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@friendsofrowlettanimals.org to see where you might enjoy your time.
• Fundraisers – Whatever the event is, you have the opportunity to get friends and family to join you in your fundraising efforts to support Friends of Rowlett Animals.
• Local Marketing – Getting the word out to local businesses about the shelter animals and programs.
• Media –
  • Photography – Do you own the camera that people envy? Do you have those skills to capture the perfect picture? Taking weekly pictures of the shelter animals that tell their story and show their personality is a way to make a difference.
  • Photography Facilitators/Assistants – Photographers only have two hands so an assistant makes capturing the perfect picture much easier.
  • Videos – A picture is worth a thousand words but a video is worth a million! Showing potential adopters how a dog chases a ball, sits for a treat, walks on a leash or how a cat plays and purrs can truly make a difference in being adopted or not.
• Transporting – Transport shelter animals to offsite events, vet appointments, out of area rescues/adoptions, etc. via your own vehicle. These events can happen only if we have volunteers that can get them to the right place.
• Socialization – Do you want to make an animal more adoptable? Walking, exercising, and playing with the shelter animals at the shelter is one way to do that. Each time you socialize with them and give them some TLC, they become more comfortable with humans and/or other animals and friendlier – more adoptable.

There is no fee to complete the online orientation, participate in the animal handling training, or to volunteer. Once all training (Orientation and Animal Handling) is completed and you are approved to move forward, we do require require all volunteers to purchase a t-shirt (and a leash if you are volunteering with dogs) that is to be worn when volunteering at the shelter and off-site events. This helps identify you as a trained volunteer and helps market our group to the community.

You will need to email the shelter at animalservices@rowlett.com

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