Animal Services departments offers multiple volunteer opportunities that are flexible enough to fit into any busy schedule. You can help animals in need and your community by donating your time and talents in the area that most suits you and your schedule! To register online please visit: http://plano.gov/Departments/Volunteer/Pages/animal.aspx
In Shelter Volunteer
A variety of jobs working directly or indirectly with animals, greeter, photographer, helping visitors find their perfect pet, and cleaning. Must be at least 18 years old, have an interview with a ‘Volunteers in Plano’ staff person, attend orientation and pass training before service can begin. Great opportunity for individuals and couples who want to work regularly- flexible schedules available.
Positions include:
- Cat Room Attendant/Counselor Talk to visitors about the available cats and assist them in finding their perfect match. Help improve the comfort level of our cats by cleaning their area and interacting with them.
- Dog Adoption Counselor Talk to visitors about the available dogs and assist them in finding their perfect match. Help improve the comfort level of our dogs by light cleaning the kennel and visit rooms and interacting with them.
- Dog Play Group Monitor Monitoring group play sessions with the multiple dogs in the exercise yards. This is a team duty and is currently available only on weekends.
- Dog Exerciser To provide exercise and bathroom time to the adoptable dogs so that their stay at the shelter is more comfortable. Dogs are leashed walk one at a time in designated areas on the shelter grounds.
- Kennel Attendant Spot cleaning the dog kennels, stocking supplies, socializing a variety of dogs. Assisting volunteer adoption counselors and staff by taking dogs to visit rooms or back to their kennels.
- Photographer (dog, cats or both) Increasing the chance of adoption for animals at the shelter by taking pictures of the animal that will be published online. Professional as well as amateurs are welcome.
- Pups In the Park A trained lead volunteer will take a group of volunteers, each with one dog, to a park in Plano to exercise the dogs, promote the shelter, and get the adoptable dogs out in the fresh air.
- Shelter Customer Greeter Greeting and assisting visitors as they enter the shelter, answering general questions, and making sure the lobby is clean and organized.
- Shelter Support Assistant Preparing items for use in animal kennels, such as unfolding newspapers, stocking clean bowls, and preparing litter boxes; ensuring the external kennel cards on all kennels are current and up to date, organizing donated items, some filing, some laundry folding and the occasional poop scoop patrol.
Foster Volunteer
A foster parent provides a temporary home for kittens, puppies, dogs, or cats to address a temporary medical or mild behavioral issue prior to the animal being placed up for adoption. The devotion, care, and socialization given during this time greatly increase the animal’s chance to be adopted by a loving home. Training is provided, no previous experienced required. For more information call Robin Popik 972-941-7114 or email robinp@plano.gov.
Animal Shelter Foster Opportunities
- Nursing Mom with babies (cat & kittens)
- Nursing Mom with babies (dog & puppies)
- Orphan kittens weaned and unweaned
- Orphan puppies weaned and unweaned
- Adult Dogs with medical or mild behavior issues
- Adult Cats with medical or mild behavior issues
(UNWEANED = not able to eat on their own, need to be bottle fed)
(WEANED = eating on their own)
Requirements
- Must be a resident of Plano or live within 30 miles of 4028 West Plano Parkway
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Resident animals must be vaccinated. (must provide documentation)
- If a Plano citizen, resident animals must be registered with the City
- Must have written approval from landlord if renting.
- All adults in the residence must sign foster agreement.
- Must agree to an initial in home inspection and random drop in visits at any reasonable hour.
If you are unable to foster an animal but still wish to help we do accept donations, please specify it is for the Foster Program.
Everyday needs include:
- Iams Puppy (canned)
- Iams Kitten (canned)
- House training pads.
- KMR Kitten Replacement Formula (Dry)
- KMR Puppy Replacement Formula (Dry)
- Cat Litter (clumping kind)
- Small litter boxes (low sides)
- Heating pads
- Nursing bottles
- Kitten & Puppy Shampoo
- Chew & stuffed toys
Specialty items needed are:
- Crates/Cages
- Door gates
- Humidifiers
- Heating Lamps
- Beds
Short Term/One Time Volunteer
Individuals, teams or groups who would like to help out but are unable to work a regular schedule can still contribute on a one time or short term basis. Duties will be in the cleaning and organizing category with no animal handling. Work may be inside or outside and dress code is required. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have an interview with a ‘Volunteers in Plano’ staff person. Great opportunity for groups, couples and individuals who want to help just occasionally.
Duties Available:
1. Cleaning windows and floors
2. Organizing cabinets, drawers, and outside storage pods
3. Laundry and dish cleaning
4. Towel folding
5. Organizing linens; separating out old and torn sheets and towels
6. Poop scooping
7. Washing trucks
8. Cleaning crates and carriers
To register online please visit: http://plano.gov/Departments/Volunteer/Pages/animal.aspx
Animal Shelter Projects
Drives, Donations or Fund Raisers
Everyday shelter needs include:
- Paper towels, ammonia, or laundry detergent, heavy duty lawn/leaf bags, small rugs, cotton balls, Isopropyl alcohol, bottled water and spray water bottles.
- IAM's adult dry dog food, IAM's puppy food wet and dry, IAM's adult dry cat food, IAM's kitten food wet and dry (kitten & puppy food greatest need is in spring and summer) or Tidy Cat kitty litter (non-clumping) - unopened bags only please.
- Dog, puppy, cat, and kitten toys to bring joy to the animals, shirt boxes for litter pans, flea products, treats for dogs and cats, American rawhide chew bones, washable toys for dogs and cats, cat bandanas for dogs, LARGE balls for the dogs, or igloo style dog houses.
Everyday Foster program needs include:
- Iams Puppy (canned)
- Iams Kitten (canned)
- House training pads.
- KMR Kitten Replacement Formula (Dry)
- KMR Puppy Replacement Formula (Dry)
- Cat Litter (clumping kind)
- Small litter boxes (low sides)
- Heating pads
- Nursing bottles
- Kitten & Puppy Shampoo
- Chew & stuffed toys
Specialty shelter items needed are:
- Mobile Adoption Van or Sponsors
- Horse Trailer
Specialty Foster program items needed are:
- Crates/Cages
- Door gates
- Humidifiers
- Heating Lamps
- Beds
Fun to create:
Raise funds to donate or to buy donated goods by:
- A bake sale or lemonade stand.
- A craft stand, get family or friends to make their favorite crafts and sell them.
- Have a birthday party where your guests bring presents from the shelter donation list.
Donations, whether monetary or goods or services are always appreciated!
Every contribution helps a homeless animal and is tax deductible.