Volunteer Positions

Thrift Store
	Volunteers are always needed in the Thrift Store which is an essential part of the La Plata County Humane Society. The present 1.9 million dollar facility was built in 1997 with proceeds from the Store and used NO TAX DOLLARS!!!!
Volunteers are needed to help with sorting and pricing items, cash register, electronics, and many other departments. No retail experience required. Shifts available: weekends and weekdays.
Dog Walkers
	Dog walkers are an essential part of our volunteer program because they provide much needed exercise socialization and training for the dogs at the Humane Society. By volunteering to walk dogs at the shelter you are improving the quality of life for the dogs and improve their chances of finding a life-long home.
Volunteers are required to do 10 minute training with the volunteer coordinator and sign the dog walking guidelines. We ask that dog walkers work with the animals on basic commands such as sit, stay and down. Basic dog obedience seminars are held each month in conjunction with shelter orientations and are recommended to dog walkers. A special thanks to Susan Riches and Margaret Brooks from the Kennel Club for offering to providing this service! Shifts Available: weekdays and weekends during business hours up to 30 minutes before closing.
Cat Cuddlers
	Volunteers can help in a variety of ways in the cattery by helping clean cages, fill water and food bowls, brush, and socialize the cats. Volunteers are also needed to help with laundry and dishes. Shifts available: weekdays and weekends. Volunteers can come in prior to business hours to help clean in the cattery.
Mobile Pet Program
	This community out-reach program involves volunteers taking shelter animals to community care centers such as hospitals, assisted living, long care facilities, and nursing homes. The volunteer/pet team provides the residents of these facilities with a type of pet therapy that benefits everyone involved- pets, volunteers, facility residents, and facility staff.
There is additional training (2 hours) required for this position, as well as a background check, a TB test to service the hospital, and a walk-through visit with the Mobil Pet Coordinator or another Mobile Pets Volunteer. Volunteers are required to put in 20 hours of volunteer time to qualify for this position, commit to one visit per month, with visit and travel time lasting between two and three hours. Volunteers are also required to provide their own transportation and have a current driver’s license with a good driving record.
Foster Parent
	Provide a temporary shelter, love and attention to animals needing extra care or for animals that are too young to be adopted. Animals in our foster program include kittens and puppies, adult dogs needing TLC and socialization, injured animals, or pregnant dogs or cats.
Volunteers interested in our foster program will need to fill out an application, be 18 years or older, and agree to a home visit. Being a foster parent is a great opportunity for children to learn about the responsibilities for caring for an animal. Although children are encouraged to help with the foster care, the adults in the household are the primary care takers. Shifts Available: On-call as needed. Spring and summer are big months for fostering kittens and puppies.
Dog Groomer
	Volunteers can help by giving our dogs much needed baths. This is an important roll because a clean dog is a healthy, adoptable dog. Although the kennel staff will give baths to the dogs that need them, they are often busy with other tasks in the kennel. By helping as a groomer you are a tremendous help not only to the animals but to the hard working kennel staff.
Shifts available: Schedule with kennel staff
Humane Education Instructor
	Volunteers help the education staff by providing information on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership to school groups, children’s tour groups, adult civic groups and other community organizations. Desired skills include: public speaking, teaching and working well with diverse groups, especially children.
Shifts Available: weekdays and some weekends and/or evenings
Adoption Patrol
Walk dogs in downtown Durango to get them out in the public eye. Volunteers eligible for this position are dog walkers that have volunteered consistently for a minimum of 6 weeks. Reliable transportation, a current driver’s license, and a good driving record are required. Volunteers will provide the public with information about the animal they are walking, but will not be able to make any decision about the adoption process. Shifts available: During shelter business hours
Dog Training
	Train dogs on basic commands and help them with general socialization issues. Volunteers will be required to go to additional training to volunteer in this position, which might take place on weekends. Training dogs makes them more adoptable and can lead to them finding a home for life.
Volunteers are required to commit to volunteering for a minimum of 6 months for approximately two hours per week or eight hours per month. Shifts available: Weekdays and weekends. Some weekend days required.
Project Dogs
Help dogs in the shelter that need some extra TLC. Many of our project dogs not only need training, but also socialization. Being in a shelter situation can be stressful for many animals and they need some extra care to make them more adoptable. The kennel staff will be in charge of choosing the animals as project dogs and will guide the volunteers with the training needed for each animal. Volunteers in this position are required to commit to volunteering for a minimum of 6 months for approximately three hours per week, or 10 to 12 hours per month. Some weekend days are required. Shifts available: Weekdays and weekends.
Administrative Support
	Allergic to animals, or don't want to work directly with them? Help us with front desk support, making copies, making phone calls, filing, answering the phone, data entry, and making phone calls. Shifts Available: weekdays and weekends.
Special Events
Volunteers are needed to help with special events such as fund raisers and other events through out the year. Interested volunteers will be needed for activities such as helping find sponsorships, make decorations, distributing flyers, and organization to the event and much more. Special Events volunteers serve on planning committees and help with a variety of activities. Shifts Available: weekdays and weekends as events are scheduled.
Public Information Booths
If you love to talk to people this is the job for you! We need volunteers to help share information to the public. This position requires good communication and people skills. Volunteers may be asked to help set up or take down booth, which may require lifting. Shifts available: Weekends. Volunteer hours will vary.