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SO YOU'VE DECIDED YOU WANT TO BECOME A PET SOCIALIZER?

Welcome!

So, you've decided you want to set aside some time each week or month to volunteer at the R-H SPCA? By becoming a Pet Socializer, you can help us improve the quality of life and adoptability of the pets awaiting their lifetime home.

In order to help our "furry friends" all volunteers must learn the policies and procedures that govern our shelter. Since we don't have the resources to test for, or treat, all of the possible diseases pets coming into the facility can have, these guidelines help us keep our volunteers and pets both safe and healthy. Please plan to attend a Basic Orientation workshop BEFORE attempting to walk or otherwise socialize with a pet. Due to space limitations, only 35 participants will be permitted to attend each class. From time-to-time extra classes are added to the schedule, but not posted on this site. Please feel free to contact Candy Barnes (see below) for information on these special sessions.

BASIC VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION CLASSES
(All classes begin at 5:30 pm unless otherwise noted)

Tuesday, January 22nd
Monday, February 10th
Thursday, February 28th
Wednesday, March 19th
Tuesday, April 8th
Monday, May 5th

all classes begin promptly at the times scheduled above and last approximately 2 hours. A handbook is provided for each student, so just bring yourself! (dates subject to change)

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, AS SEATING IS LIMITED!

To arrange an interview, please contact Candy Barnes, Humane Educator at cbspca@rica.net.or by calling 434-5270.
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Have you already attended one of our Basic Orientations and now you're interested in learning a pet training skill and becoming an Adoption Facilitator?

What is the Adoption Facilitator Program?

We want to make our pets more adoptable by providing them with some basic training that encourages the pet to earn rewards for good behavior in everyday life situations.

We hope the volunteers will develop a relationship with particular pets to learn more about them and volunteers can then in turn advise our staff of traits specific to each pet. This will then enable us to better determine an appropriate home for the pet and help our pet adopters feel better about the commitment they are making. It is a win-win-win-win program for volunteers, pets, pet adopters and staff!

We believe that providing for the mental, in addition to the physical needs, of pets while in our care will enhance the pet's quality of life. This in turn will reduce the pet's stress level, and may, in fact, improve the health of the pets in our facility.

With this program we also hope the volunteer will walk away from the shelter volunteer experience with a greater awareness of how pets think and respond to human actions and expectations.

Next Adoption Facilitation Class:
Wednesday, January 30th

5:30 - 7:00 pm (approx. end time)

Prerequisite: Basic Orientation workshop
Training provide by Karen Mast, CPDT

Please call Candy at 540-434-5270, to reserve a spot, or email at cbspca@rica.net, as space is limited.

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