Keep Busy this Summer

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Volunteer Opportunities

Socialization and care of animals at St. Francis C.A.R.E.

Cleaning kennels, walking dogs, playing with cats, encouraging progressive play between puppies, bathing animals, unfolding newspapers, laundry, etc. There are many things encompassed within this "category" of volunteering. A "typical" day at St. Francis.

Office Support

Answering phones and adequately answering questions from those calling. Helping complete adoption paperwork and facilitating healthy and happy interactions between potential adopters and animals being looked at. Computer skills are a must, as is customer service.

Community Outreach

Participating in events outside of St. Francis that help us get information back into the community about what we do and why we do it. Animals are usually not present at these events. Events at SIU, Multicultural Events, etc.

Weekend Adoption Events

Travelling to Pure Pet and Petco on designated weekends to help find loving forever homes for our animals. Adult dogs and puppies are usually the only animals taken. There will be added adoption events as they are available. Thorough knowledge of the animals being taken and the adoption process is required, as is proper handling of these animals. Pure Pet is usually held on the first Saturday of each month, and Petco is held on the third. The time frame for these events is usually 8:00am-4:00pm.

Fundraising and Event Participation

Set-up, tear-down, and being present to help work events are the main things required. Participation in these is always needed, as we take part in many community events every year, in addition to creating our own. This is becoming increasingly important.

Large Dog Interaction and Training

Once you have learned all the basic procedures and are comfortable out at St. Francis, you are more than welcome to work with them and strive to make them more "adoptable." This is designed to help get the large dogs accustomed to walking on a leash frequently and properly, learning simple commands, and teaching them simple manners that they may be lacking at the present time.

Age Restrictions:

Volunteers must be 16+ to volunteer without supervision. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Both the adult and the volunteer under the age of 16 must go through the volunteer seminar. There are limitations to what volunteers under the age of 16 will be allowed to do, for their safety.