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VOLUNTEER PROGRAM UPDATES Volunteers are the backbone of Cat Care Society, providing invaluable support to our daily operations and care for cats while engaging the greater community. Without the help of our nearly 200 volunteers, we simply couldn’t have the impact that we do. We are so grateful for every single person that has helped us throughout our 40-year history. The volunteer program here has been strong for years, though COVID brought about some changes to the positions available to those giving their time. As our organization continues to evolve and adapt, we are excited to share a few updates to the volunteer program. While most of the volunteer roles in the past have centered around hands-on caring for the cats and assisting at events, we have been working hard at finding new ways to engage volunteers and provide much-needed relief to our shelter staff. Some of these roles will leverage volunteers’ time to serve as adoptions assistants, lobby attendants, phone support to check in with adopters, and offer professional skills. We now have a street team helping to help raise awareness of CCS, hanging posters around town and arranging fundraisers. We are also looking for a street team for our Catty Hour events to help recruit both host destinations and attendees, and raise further awareness. Interested volunteers can also expect a new streamlined application process. Now, there will be set dates where applications are open for two weeks every other month, which allows time for onboarding and ensures volunteers start in groups, with tasks and staff ready to welcome them.
VOLUNTEERING AT CAT CARE SOCIETY AND EMPLOYER MATCHING BY ERIN ELLEBRACHT As a longtime volunteer at Cat Care Society, I was excited to learn about employer matching. Volunteering at CCS is wonderful for me because it combines my love of cats and helping the community, with flexible and varying opportunities to support CCS' needs. They have many different volunteer jobs to choose from. I enjoy working events to spread awareness about CCS, and delivering for the Nibbles 'n' Kibbles program. I have also served as an adoption assistant and nursing home visitor in the past. These are just some of the opportunities available. They always need folks to socialize with the cats, and what could be more fun?! Employer matching is just an added benefit of my time spent volunteering at CCS. By reporting my volunteer hours to my employer, they are able to send a small grant each year to help CCS financially. In my case, after I reach 20 hours of volunteering at CCS and record them, my employer automatically sends the grant to CCS in my name. Many employers offer this type of benefit, so if you want to help the cats by volunteering, don’t forget to check if your employer also offers this great program!
All new volunteers will also now go through formal trainings for cat handling and behavior and receive an updated handbook detailing rules and guidelines, plus individualized training for their role. We believe this will provide additional support for volunteers and set them up for success.
Do you work for a company that encourages philanthropic giving? Employers understand the importance of giving and, more importantly, understand that their employees care about the impact they can have in their community. Because of this, many employers offer a matching incentive and will double – sometimes triple – your donation!
If you’re interested in volunteering, applications will be open from June 1-15 at www.catcaresociety.org/how-to-help.
Reach out to our Director of Philanthropy Ashleigh Leader at aleader@catcaresociety.org to learn more.
Sign up for the Cat Care Society bi-weekly Mewsletter at catcaresociety.org/publications to be the first to know about upcoming events and shelter news! 3
SPRING 2023
