VOLUNTEER
You are at the heart of all we do.
The SPCA of Southwest Michigan was founded by volunteers and volunteers remain at the heart of our organization. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and volunteers are involved in ALL aspects of our work. As a volunteer, you’ll save and enrich animal lives, do good things for the community, make new friends, discover new skills and enjoy the affection of all the animals you are helping.GENERAL VOLUNTEERING
- Walk & play with dogs
- Play with & care for cats
- Help with kennel maintenance
- In home foster care
- Help at adoption and special events
- Transportation
- Adoption counseling & processing
- Take photos for postings
- Write articles for bios or newsletter
- Plan fundraising events
- Volunteer program coordination
- General office duties
- Plan marketing/advertising campaigns
- Write grant proposals
FOSTER PROGRAM
Fostering is a wonderful experience for you and your family. You are saving an animal’s life and you’ve created space in the shelter for another animal in need.
Caring foster volunteers provide pets with the hands-on care and environmental enrichment they need to grow strong and healthy. If you think you may be able to offer a temporary refuge for a rescued animal, please let us know.
ADOPTION COUNSELOR / OFFICE HELP
- Adopting out Dogs and Cats to their Fur-ever homes
- Greeting Adopters and giving tour around the kennel
- Answering Phones
- Making Follow-Up Calls on Adopted animals
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
- Crafts – provide needed materials or have your own sale and donate funds.
- Community Events – hold a bake sale, car wash, deposit bottle or penny jar competition and donate your proceeds.
- Gifts for the Animals – request gifts for the animals to celebrate your next birthday or occasion, visit and donate.
- Fundraising – attend a shelter meeting for event coordinator or propose your independent activities
- Social Media – Like us on Facebook and Instagram
- Wish List Drives – organize the collection of needed items
- Sponsors – find a sponsor for your volunteer program fee
Need More Ideas?
If you are looking for other ways to help, please contact our Community Outreach Director, Katie Timber at: Katie@spcaswmich.org
- Walk & play with dogs
- Play with & care for cats
- Help with kennel maintenance
- In home foster care
- Help at adoption and special events
- Transportation
- Adoption counseling & processing
- Take photos for postings
- Write articles for bios or newsletter
- Plan fundraising events
- Volunteer program coordination
- General office duties
- Plan marketing/advertising campaigns
- Write grant proposals
Fostering is a wonderful experience for you and your family. You are saving an animal’s life and you’ve created space in the shelter for another animal in need.
Caring foster volunteers provide pets with the hands-on care and environmental enrichment they need to grow strong and healthy. If you think you may be able to offer a temporary refuge for a rescued animal, please let us know.
FOSTER ORIENTATION
To sign up to become a Foster, please click here to see available dates for the “Foster Orientation” to get you started on your way!
We look forward to seeing you!
Questions? Email Tricia@spcaswmich.org
- Adopting out Dogs and Cats to their Fur-ever homes
- Greeting Adopters and giving tour around the kennel
- Answering Phones
- Making Follow-Up Calls on Adopted animals
To sign up to become a Volunteer Adoption Counselor / Office Help, please click here to see available dates for this program to get you started on your way!
We look forward to seeing you!
We do recommend doing the General Volunteer Orientation first to get a general understanding of working with dogs and cats at the SPCA. It is not a requirement, if you are not planning on walking dogs or socializing with cats, however, it is highly encouraged. If plan on walking dogs and socializing with cats, it is required to go through general volunteer orientation.
Questions?
Email Tricia@spcaswmich.org
- Crafts – provide needed materials or have your own sale and donate funds.
- Community Events – hold a bake sale, car wash, deposit bottle or penny jar competition and donate your proceeds.
- Gifts for the Animals – request gifts for the animals to celebrate your next birthday or occasion, visit and donate.
- Fundraising – attend a shelter meeting for event coordinator or propose your independent activities
- Social Media – Like us on Facebook and Instagram
- Wish List Drives – organize the collection of needed items
- Sponsors – find a sponsor for your volunteer program fee
Need More Ideas?
If you are looking for other ways to help, please contact our Community Outreach Director, Katie Timber at: Katie@spcaswmich.org
Volunteer Sign Up Information
- Adult (18+ yrs old) fees are $25.
- Kid (8 – 17 yrs old) fees are $10.
- 16 and over can volunteer on their own.
- 8-15 year old can volunteer with a guardian and their guardian must go through orientation, too. Guardians/Parents are required to pay the Adult Volunteer fee. All fees are non-refundable.
- All fees help support the volunteer program by providing name badges (with system log-in), lanyard, training materials, volunteer t-shirt, and resources to track volunteer impact areas.
- Volunteers work on flexible shifts and we ask for a 6 hour per month time commitment.
Volunteer support is so important, we appreciate you!
QUESTIONS? Email Tricia@spcaswmich.org
You haven’t volunteered in awhile? Is your volunteer number no longer working in the Timeclock system? Then its time for a refresher course. Email Tricia@spcaswmich.org for information on how to get up to date and involved!
Court Order Volunteering
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Normal volunteering (dog walking/cat socializing) does not count towards COCS
- Special application and duties apply
- For more information please contact Tricia at: Tricia@spcaswmich.org or call 269-344-1474
Upcoming Orientations
Choose the orientation date you are interested in from the list below! Please review and complete our Volunteer Handbook, Waiver, and Code of Conduct forms and bring these with you to orientation. Proof of registration is also required before the start of class. Click on Upcoming Volunteer Orientations below to register. For more orientation dates, see our event calendar.
FOSTER ORIENTATION
To sign up to become a Foster, please click below to see available dates for the “Foster Orientation” to get you started on your way!
We look forward to seeing you!
Questions? Email Tricia@spcaswmich.org
Upcoming Adoption Counselor & Office Help Orientations
We look forward to seeing you!
We do recommend doing the General Volunteer Orientation first to get a general understanding of working with dogs and cats at the SPCA. It is not a requirement, if you are not planning on walking dogs or socializing with cats, however, it is highly encouraged. If plan on walking dogs and socializing with cats, it is required to go through general volunteer orientation.
Questions?
Email Tricia@spcaswmich.org
