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Volunteer

HART is growing, and with the new building, we need many more volunteers.  Extra hands are always welcome at the shelter to help keep it clean and comfy for the cats.

If you're interested in volunteering your time to HART, please review our volunteer Code of Conduct then complete a volunteer application and return it to HART. Call us at 829-4116 or send us an e-mail to further discuss our volunteer opportunities. 

To obtain a volunteer application, select one of these available formats:
     Volunteer Application - pdf   (for viewing and printing)
     Volunteer Application - Microsoft Word  (for updating and emailing)

Return completed application to info@hartofme.com or mail to:

HART
P.O. Box 351
Cumberland, ME  04021

Volunteer Positions Open

HART is currently accepting volunteer applications for the following key position.  If you are interested, please complete an application (see link above) and return it to HART as soon as possible!

Day Manager

Objective: To supervise and oversee daily operations of the shelter. Time Commitment: One or two mornings a week. Key Areas of Responsibility: Open shelter in the morning Check phone messages Supervise volunteers working that day and assist/answer their questions Help with cleaning the rooms and feeding the cats Answer phone calls, take messages and forward them to the appropriate individual Greet visitors and assist them in any way If surrenders arrive (with prior mgr. approval), help with paperwork and get cat settled into new cage in intake At the end of the day, check each room to make sure windows are closed and locked, and that there is food and water available for cats in the rooms and cats in crates At the end of the day, make sure all cats, not supposed to be loose in the back hall, have been put back in their appropriate rooms Set the alarm and lock the doors Qualifications: Good organizational skills Strong leadership Ability to communicate well with volunteers Ability to multi-task Strong observation skills Patience and tactfulness Creative – ability to find new, improved ways to provide better care and work more efficiently

We are also looking for people to fill the following special positions. If you have the skills to perform the following roles and want to volunteer, please call or e-mail the contact person listed.

Publicity/community outreach - Broaden awareness of HART's work in Greater Portland through communication with schools, animal welfare groups, community agencies, and the media. Strong writing and communication skills needed. For more information, contact: Joann Wallace.

Transporters for spay/neuter appointments: Drivers are needed to transport our kitties to their veterinary appointments in the Greater Portland area. For more information, contact: Carlyn Legge.

Shelter cleaners: We are always in need of help to keep our shelter clean and to put ample food and water down for the kitties. The cleaning teams work mornings, 7 days a week. For more information, contact: Sharon Lewis or Laura Edgar (829-4116).

Foster families for kittens: Families are needed to provide a temporary, loving home to our kittens. Socialization is very important to their development and eventual readiness for adoption.  Kitten season has grown to last all year long. This is a very fun and rewarding experience for the entire family. For more information, contact: Bobbie Sheckart .

Fundraising events: We are continually staging events to raise funds in order to maintain our "friendships" with all our wonderful vets. If you're interested in learning more about these events and/or want to get involved, please contact Sharon Lewis.

A sampling of various tasks that volunteers here at HART handle include the following:

• Clean the shelter - cat rooms, lobby areas, kitchen, supply room
  
• Scoop litter boxes
  
• Transport cats to and from vet appointments
  
• Various fundraising activities – new ideas welcomed!
  
• Produce press releases & marketing to local papers, etc.
  
• Tabling with kittens – display kittens and introduce HART to the public
  
• Bake for sales
  
• Prepare for and conduct Open House tours
  
• Conduct tours by appointment
• Process adoptions
  
• Write grants
  
• Retrieve phone messages and distribute to appropriate people
  
• Type and mail thank-you letters
  
• Maintain mailing list for fundraisers
  
• Administer medications to cats
  
• Data entry into shelter manager software
  
• Foster kittens and their moms
  
• Transport needed supplies to foster homes
• Maintain HART's website and Petfinder pages
  
• Transport collected cans and bottles to Clynk
• Redeem collected toner cartridges for rebate
  
• Pickup and deliver food and various supplies to shelter
  
• Various office functions - filing, ordering office and cleaning supplies, etc.
  
• Administer cat vaccinations and FIV/FLV tests
  
• Groom cats - brush, clip nails, clean brushes/utensils
  
• Wash, dry & fold laundry
  
• Wash and dry dishes
  
• Produce/contribute to periodic Newsletters
  
• Weigh cats and update health records
• Photograph cats for inventory books and website
• Process cat surrenders
  
• Maintain cat inventory books - pictures & biography form
  
• Carpentry work (minor) and miscellaneous shelter upkeep
  
• Install, clean and remove air conditioners/purifiers
• and lots, lots more...!