Our organization could not exist without volunteers.  As a private, nonprofit organization, we rely on the assistance of caring and hard-working volunteers in all of our programs.  Volunteers who work directly with the animals can increase an animal’s chances of adoption by providing additional human contact.  Volunteers also help us inform the community of the aims and objectives of APA! and promote responsible pet ownership.

The future of APA! lies largely with its volunteers. We are all working for the animals.

Volunteering with Austin Pets Alive! can be as simple and easy as standing under a tent for two hours at some of Austin’s coolest hang-outs.

Volunteers are required to:

• submit an on-line application
• attend an orientation session
• join an APA! Yahoo! Group
• sign a Release and Waiver of Liability form
• sign a Volunteer Agreement
• be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian if under the age of 16
• attend additional training sessions as required by APA!
• possess a valid Texas driver’s license, if driving an APA! vehicle for animal transport
• treat animals in our care with kindness and concern for their welfare
• represent themselves and APA! in a professional manner and treat clients with respect

Please complete and return our Volunteer Application. Once you submit your application, you will be automatically emailed an invitation to sign up for an orientation. Thank you again for your interest!

Check out the current volunteer team descriptions below and find the right spot for you!  More volunteer opportunities coming soon once we get our shelter.

Adoption

Assist offsite adoption staff by answering questions from the public and facilitating introductions between potential adopters and our animals.  Follow up with clients after adoption to check in and answer any questions or concerns. Adoption events are usually held at fun locations like South Congress, farmers’ markets, and the hike and bike trail.

Behavior

Work with adoptable dogs at off-site adoption locations on manners training and to reinforce basic obedience/boot camp training. Assist clients with dog behavior issues.

Cat Volunteer Training

Organize and hold new cat foster/volunteer orientations, train volunteers how to use database and yahoo groups, train volunteers to run adoption events, train volunteers to evaluate foster and volunteer applications. Qualifications: good people skills, fun personality, organized, computer skills. Time Qualifications: 2-5 hours week and at least one weekend training a month.

Data Entry

Enter data to keep our processes running smoothly.

Events Coordination

Post adoption event dates/times on yahoo groups, coordinate, foster parent/adoption event sign-ups online, ensure proper materials and supplies are at adoption events. Qualifications: Computer skills/internet access. Time commitment: 1-3 hours week.

Foster, Foster Coordination

Provide temporary care for cats or dogs in your home until they can be adopted.  You must be the owner/renter of home and fill out a Foster Care Volunteer Application.  See our Foster page for more information.

You can also assist in this effort by becoming a Foster Coordinator.  Foster Coordinators coordinate between different departments to keep our foster program running smoothly.

Fundraising

Our organization is completely dependent on donations.  This committee assists in finding individual and business sponsors; develop and assist with fundraising events.

Handbill Editing

Edit our No-Kill Handbill, which is published 3-7 times per week, depending upon editor availability. Review posts submitted, seek out interesting related news, and put together an issue to distribute by email. Training is provided. Time requirement is 30 minutes per publication.

Intake Coordination

Work with Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) to determine which animals to bring into program based upon available space, coordinate incoming animals with Foster Coordinator, input new animal info into database, arrange/provide for transport to foster home.  Qualifications: Computer skills/internet access, highly organized, ability to remain level headed when faced with emotional decisions.

Medical Coordination

Ensure pets are up to date on all medical requirements prior to attending adoption events, ensure medical information is in database, help fosters with medical questions, and coordinate medical needs with veterinarians. Qualifications: Must have cell or home phone with lots of minutes! Computer skills/internet access, good customer service, problem solving abilities, ability to handle stress. Veterinarian or medical background. Time commitment: 4 hours week on-call.

PASS Helpline

Answer calls from public one day a week to help them rehome their pet instead of taking it to Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC).

Photography

Take and post digital photos of shelter and foster animals for marketing materials. Experience and DSLR camera strongly preferred.

Marketing/PR/Graphic Design

Help educate the public about APA! and our mission.  Seek out public speaking opportunities; presentations at local fairs, farmers’ markets and other events; distribute PR materials at events and local businesses. Create a variety of promotional materials including brochures, ads, posters and flyers.

Meet Your Match™

Use the Meet Your Match™ system to evaluate suitability of dogs for adoption.

Transport

Transport dogs from TLAC and other locations to adoption sites and back via your own vehicle.

Volunteer Coordination

Assist in all aspects of recruiting, orienting, determining placement of, and coordinating volunteers for APA! departments.

Website

Design or program our website.

Write

Write a variety of different marketing materials.