Help Find Homes for Homeless Cats

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The Cat Adoption Team, the Pacific Northwest's largest non-profit, guaranteed adoption shelter is currently looking for matchmakers to help find loving homes for the kitties in our care.

Title: Adoption Counselor

Purpose of Position: The Adoption Counselor builds a relationship with potential adopters and assists in helping them find cats that are a good match for their home and lifestyle.

"My favorite thing about being an Adoption Counselor is watching a cat and a human fall in love with each other. When that match happens I think it is magical. And, then when I follow up and hear how great it's working out, that's just the icing on the cake."

Sally Newton, CAT Volunteer

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Get to know as many cats as possible in adoption center.
• Work with potential adopters on finding the right cat to fit their household.
• Know and adhere to CAT's guidelines on adoptions, including educating potential adopters on the rationale for those guidelines
• Once a smaller selection is narrowed down, become familiar with cat's paperwork, attitude and behavior; know what kind of environment cat needs to live in, whether cat is on medications or a special diet.

• Educate potential adopters on socialization, behavior and general care of cats
• Make periodic follow-up calls to make sure the adoption was successful and/or help with any problems that may arise after the adoption

Training Requirements: All volunteers are required to attend a volunteer orientation. Adoption Counselors are trained in all aspects of the adoption process. Adoption counselors-in- training shadow an experienced adoption counselor, who serves as a mentor until the tranee is ready to complete adoptions independently.

Time Commitment: Minimum of eight hours per month; volunteers usually sign up for one or two shifts a month on a Saturday or Sunday from 12pm-4pm at one of our offsite adoption centers. Shifts are also available at our Sherwood Shelter during our open hours.

Benefits to Volunteer: The rewards from adoption counseling are considerable and long-term: there is joy in helping once homeless cats find loving homes. Adoption Counseling is also an excellent opportunity to talk "cats" with different people, as well as an opportunity to educate the public regarding issues such as cat behavior and general issues such as pet overpopulation.