Volunteer Orientations:

Your first step in becoming a volunteer at the shelter is to attend a volunteer orientation. The orientation lasts about an hour. You will be given an overview of our services, policies, and operations. You'll fill out a couple of forms; a waiver and an information form which helps determine the best volunteer opportunities for you. Due to the nature of some pets in the shelter, volunteers must be 18 years of age.

Steps to start volunteering:

1. Fill out a Volunteer Application: Volunteers must fill out the Volunteer Application located on our web site: www.livingstonlive.org/lcac this can be brought with you to the orientation
   meeting or you can fill one out that day.
2. Call shelter at (517) 546-2154 to sign up for an orientation session. Physical space is limited to 10 people per session. Orientations are to be conducted once a month, on the fourth Thursday of the month, from 2 pm-3pm. More sessions may be added if needed.
3. Meeting will be at Livingston County Animal Control, 418 S. Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843. Please come to front door.

Below are the levels of volunteering we have:

Care Level

These activities are designed so a volunteer can become familiar with day to day operations at the shelter and learn about the “dos and don’ts” of caring for pets in a shelter environment:

• Exercising and playing with friendly cats
• Cleaning cages/kennels with another staff member
• Feeding with another staff member
• Doing laundry with staff’s direction
• Washing bowls and litter pans with staff’s direction
• Follow-up calls on previous adoptions
• Food donation collections
  
• Observing daily activities
• Call on Lost & Found reports, remove from web site
• VG’s Receipts

Volunteer will remain at Care Level for at least 4 weeks. During that time they must have accumulated 12 hours or more of volunteer time at the shelter. With approval of Volunteer Coordinator, we will consider you to be fully trained in the pet care at LCAC.

The above are very key areas in making life at the shelter easier on a pet. Volunteers are welcome to stay volunteering in this area—the pets will appreciate it!!

Special Need Level

These activities are designed for a volunteer to learn more about why pets enter the shelter and why some pets have special needs that need to be addressed before going onto a new family:

• Grooming (toenail, ear, coat issues)
• Dog Walk training-additional training may be required
• Dog Basic Obedience
• Cat Socializing (cats that are scared)
• Assessing cats/dogs and their needs in an adoptive home
• Greeting the public and answering questions about the shelter and its programs
• Office Filing
• Pet Profiles

Volunteer will remain at Special Need for 4 weeks. During that time they must have accumulated 25 hours or more of volunteer time at the shelter. With approval of Director, we will consider you to be fully trained in the Special Need Level at LCAC.

Once you have completed orientation, you will be able to help out and volunteer at the shelter or at special events.