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. 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.Becoming a Volunteer is easy!
If you want to Volunteer, please make a volunteer profile on the SPCA’s Volunteer Software, located here:
VOLUNTEER PROFILE SET UP: CLICK HERE
Before beginning to volunteer, all volunteers go through an orientation or training to ensure they understand SPCA policies and procedures. This keeps humans and animals safe. Orientations are free of charge. Please look through our orientations to see if one is right for you.
General Volunteer Orientations:
- Rules & Procedures
- Dog Walking
- Cat City
- Events
- Transport Team
General Orientation is our most popular volunteer orientation. If you’re looking to socialize with dogs and cats, this is the orientation for you!
General Orientation is a three-step process.
- New Volunteer General Orientation Video
- Short Quiz
- Hands-On Training
To start your volunteer process, please make a profile of the SPCA’s Volunteer Software, located here:
GENERAL ORIENTATIONS PROFILE: CLICK HERE
General Orientation is free of charge, however, most our volunteers bring the animals a small, donated gift at their hands-on training. These are items the SPCA needs such as a small bag of cat or dog food, a jar of peanut butter, cat treats, or a gift card.
Fostering:
Looking to temporarily take care of SPCA animals in your home? Join our SPCA Foster Team. You may get started here:
ANIMAL FOSTER ORIENTATION & QUIZ: CLICK HERE
Adoption Counseling Training:
Information coming soon!
Group Service Day Volunteering:
The SPCA loves having groups out volunteer at the SPCA! You can learn more about Group Service Days and request a date, here:
GROUP VOLUNTEERING/SERVICE DAYS: CLICK HERE
QUESTIONS? Email Tricia@spcaswmich.org
You haven’t volunteered in a while? Then it’s time for a refresher course. Please watch the SPCA General Orientation Video on the Volunteer Software to get started.
Can I Help Without Being Trained?
Yes, there is so much you can do 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 coordination or propose your independent activities
Social Media—Like Us on Facebook, Tweet with your friends
Wish List Drives—organize the collection of needed items
Sponsors—find a sponsor for your volunteer program fee
Looking for Court Ordered Volunteer Opportunities?
Please check out our Court Ordered Community Service Guidelines on our Volunteer Software, located here:
COURT-ORDERED COMMUNITY SERVICE: CLICK HERE
Some things our volunteers do:
This is only a sample of the things our volunteers do. If you have time, or talent to share, please volunteer!
- 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
OUR 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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
