WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS
The Fort Smith Animal Society is run entirely by volunteers. People do it because they believe the animals at the shelter deserve good care. They do it because they believe in being good citizens. They do it because of the love they get back from the animals they look after. They do it because they are good people.
The FSAS is always looking for good people who love animals to stop in and help out. People helping out at the shelter do a variety of things. Some come in for an hour a day for a week to help look after the dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies by feeding, and cleaning up, making sure they get out for a short play, and generally making sure they are healthy.
Some shelter volunteers come in for a chance to walk a dog or just check in to see if the animals are all ok. Some of these helpers come on a regular schedule, and some come in when they can. We appreciate them all!
An ordinary volunteer schedule involves 45 minutes to 1 hour per day for a week, in the morning, afternoon, or evening, caring for the animals at the shelter. The schedules generally rotate every five weeks, so most “regular” volunteers come in about once every four or five weeks, depending on how many volunteers we have.
There is no end to good reasons why you should help out at the Fort Smith Animal Shelter. But the best one of all is how it makes you feel– that you are making a difference! When you volunteer, you change the world for the animals at the shelter just by being there, by elevating the moment for every animal you connect with. In turn, it changes your world, makes you feel like a better person, like a friendlier person, like a happier person, because you are. And why shouldn’t you be?– you make a difference!
Call the FSAS today at (267)872-5543 and let us know if you want to help. We are always excited about new volunteers!
Some of the things our volunteers do include:
■ Walking dogs/socializing cats
■ Cleaning cages and kennels
■ Fill in holes and put down boards where the pups dig
■ Feeding and grooming cats and dogs
■ Monitoring our animal rooms
■ Training and socializing dogs
■ Deliver straw and pick up supplies
■ Build dog houses and other small maintenance jobs
■ Administration of the Society
■ Coordinating appointments during visits from the veterinarian
■ Organizing adoptions, foster care and boarding of animals
■ Fundraising and soliciting donations
Reach out to us… it is as simple as that. Let us know that you are willing and able to lend a hand and we will let you know how you can help. We interview potential volunteers to ensure commitment, determine availability and match strengths/interests with tasks We may partner you up with someone who can train you until you can do it on your own. Some of our volunteers work in teams and that usually works well. But it all starts with a phone call or email.
We need the largest number of volunteers to feed and care for the animals. This includes cleaning cages, kennels, rooms, and the shelter. Volunteers sign up for regularly scheduled duties such as cat room duty or dog kennel duty often for one week every 6-8 weeks. Other volunteers help out with the administration of the Society such as scheduling volunteers, doing the books, or coordinating adoptions. Others offer to help out with fundraising and getting donations for the Society.
We do our best to match how much of a commitment our volunteers are able to make with the things that need to be done. As our operation is completely run by volunteers and we have to train volunteers, we hope to have volunteers who will be with us for the long term. Signing up for duty such as Cat Room Duty means you will be assigned one week every 6-8 weeks or so. Cat Room Duty usually takes about one hour per night for a week plus a little more time on the weekend for a more thorough cleaning of the cat room on the weekend. This is just an example of the kind of duty that we need volunteers to do. Other responsibilities may require more or less time than this.
Some of our best volunteers are kids. That said, our volunteers who are kids are always with a parent or adult. While kid volunteers have a lot of love to give to our animals, taking care of them and accessing the Shelter is a big responsibility. Doing Shelter Duty is a great family activity and a great way to teach your kids about responsibility, respect, and volunteerism.
Typically no. Unlike other animal shelters, we are not open for regular business hours. Our volunteers come in and do their work, care for the animals and clean the shelter when they can. So, you cannot just drop in for a cuddle. Our volunteers do play with puppies and kittens when they are doing their duty. If you want to play with puppies and kittens you can always consider volunteering.
Typically no. Unlike other animal shelters, we are not open for regular business hours. Our volunteers come in and do their work, care for the animals and clean the shelter when they can. So, you cannot just drop in for a cuddle. Our volunteers do play with puppies and kittens when they are doing their duty. If you want to play with puppies and kittens you can always consider volunteering.
We do need volunteers occasionally who do things on an irregular schedule. For example, we sometimes have volunteers do some small construction projects that do not require them to sign up for weekly or monthly duties. Additionally, we have a few major fundraising initiatives throughout the year that require short-term assistance. If you are passionate about helping but are not sure how you can contact us and we can discuss it. We may take your name and contact information in the future.