The
4Paws Rescue Team operates using a work force made up entirely of
volunteers. Consequently, the number of feline lives that
we are able to save is directly related to the generosity of those
who are willing to donate their time to our cause. Different volunteer
activities require varying degrees of commitment. With as little
as thirty (30) minutes a week, you can make a significant difference
and help us to save more lives. Please call 703-715-6369 or e-mail
if you are interested in any of the following volunteer opportunities:
- Adoption
Fair Set Up
Volunteers are needed to help set up cages
for adoption fairs. Set up takes place the Friday night before
a
show and lasts approximately one hour.
- Adoption
Fair Assistants
Adoption Fairs are usually held on one or two Saturdays each month.
Volunteers talk to potential adopters about general cat care and
help them handle the cats that are available for adoption. At
the end of each show volunteers help dismantle the cages. Due to Petco's store policy, adoption fair assistants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Foster
Homes
Foster homes are needed to provide temporary housing for cats
and kittens. Volunteers provide food, shelter and love; 4Paws
pays for pre-authorized vet services. Foster homes transport their
wards to and from adoption fairs which are usually held twice
each month in Northern Virginia Petco stores. The commitment can
vary from a few weeks to a couple of months depending upon the
availability of the volunteer.
- Home
Visit Volunteers
Volunteers set up appointments
with adopters to visit their homes and pets. New volunteers
are trained
by an experienced
person and briefed on appropriate responses to questions
that may arise. The visits usually take twenty minutes
and are limited
to
the geographical location requested by the volunteer.
- Store
Volunteers
Individuals are asked to commit to one evening or morning each
week to care for the cats that are temporarily housed at Petco
stores. Volunteers give the cats fresh food and water, scoop the
litter, clean the cages and provide love and attention to the cats
at the store of their choice. Due to Petco's store policy, store
volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
- Transportation
Volunteers
are needed to transport cats for a variety of reasons. Sometimes
cats need
transportation
from
a store to the
vet; other times they need to be moved from one
Petco store to another. Requests are usually flexible to
fit the volunteer's
schedule. Most
frequent need for transportation is on the weekend
and during
the day on weekdays.
- Voicemail
Volunteers
Volunteers return calls from people who need help
placing their pets or
stray
cats that they
have found.
Volunteers
are asked to commit to check the voicemail three
times each week and return approximately five
(5) calls each
time.
Important note: Volunteers under the age of 18 must be
accompanied by an adult.
 
We often find cats that are too shy or skittish to be adopted into
homes. We are able to vaccinate and sterilize these animals, but
unfortunately, they often cannot be returned to their original location
due to any number of dangers-marauding dogs, construction, busy
streets.
Do you know a cat lover who keeps horses? These
sweet, but shy, city cats have few options for a decent life-and
they would love to move to a warm barn in the country! Please call
703-715-6369 or e-mail
us if you or someone you know can provide a barn for some of
these cats. We'll be happy to deliver these cats (altered and vaccinated)
and provide advice on how to integrate them into the barn. Placing
city cats in country barns is a winning situation for all concerned.
Your new barn cats will certainly earn their keep by helping to
control the rodent population, and you'll be saving a feline life
or two.
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