Visit https://www.fiveacresanimalshelter.org/volunteer/ to learn more about our Volunteer Program or review the information below!

 

GENERAL QUESTIONS

  1.  What are your minimum requirements for volunteering at Five Acres?
  • Aged 18+ (unless with a group)
  • Must be covered by their own health insurance policy
  • Must have access to a smart phone, tablet, or computer to use the MyImpact app
  • Must commit to a weekly volunteer shift OR come in weekly to cover shifts as a Backup Volunteer
  • Must commit to volunteering for at least 6 hours monthly for at least 6 months
  • Must have the ability to resolve own personal conflicts with anyone on the property in order to better support our animals
  • Must be able to complete the online New Orientation video, specific e-learning modules, and meet with the Community Engagement Manager before your first shift
  • If completing Court-Ordered service, the offense must apply to the terms listed below under Community
  • Must meet the Essential Capabilities of Five Acres Animal Shelter Volunteers needed to volunteer safely
  • Ability to adhere to/follow all policies and guidelines outlined in our Volunteer Handbook

2. Here are some of the many ways that volunteers help us!

  • Dog Walking and Enrichment
  • Kitty Cottage Care Team
  • AniMeals Pet Food Pantry Program
  • Front Desk/Reception volunteer
  • Join our Maintenance/Facilities Crew
  • Spay Neuter Clinic Assistant
  • Special Events volunteer
  • Kennel Cleaning and Laundry in the Canine Clubhouse

3. Steps to become a Five Acres Animal Shelter Volunteer:

  • Visit our Volunteer Page to learn more about out Volunteer Program.
  • Complete a new Volunteer Application.
  • Complete the Online New Volunteer Orientation.
  • Meet with Mallary to see the shelter and schedule next steps.
  • Complete an in-person shadow training

4. Is there an age limit to volunteering?

  • Due to the nature of working with live animals in a stressful environment, we cannot authorize individuals under the age of 18 to volunteer directly with our animals. Please check out the Youth Involvement page on our website to learn more about how kids can help the animals at Five Acres!

5. Can I just come to play with the dogs or cats without going through orientation?

  • We do not offer this type of opportunity to unoriented and untrained volunteers as it is not safe for you or our animals. We require all volunteers to complete thorough training before volunteering on site. 

6. Can I volunteer off-site?

Yes, you can!

  • If you become a trained dog walker, you can take our dogs off campus for adventures after receiving staff approval
  • We also have creative at-home opportunities for both kids and adults (for details, please CLICK HERE)!
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COMMUNITY 

  1. What is the process to volunteer with Five Acres if you are required to volunteer a certain number of hours (school, organization, religious, corporate/workplace volunteer time off)
    • Five Acres Animal Shelter will sign off for volunteer hours for volunteers as long as it is communicated that they are getting hours for another reason. All volunteers are required to consistently volunteer for at least 6 months and must meet the minimum requirements to volunteer.
  2. I need to fulfill court ordered community service hours, or my attorney has recommended I complete service hours.  What should I do?
    • If completing court-ordered community service, it must be for non-violent, non-drug, & non-stealing related offenses and the application must be received at least 2 months prior to the due date. These selections are on a case-by-case basis and depends on the nature of the crime and the needs of the shelter. Please note, we research cases of Court-Ordered volunteers before determining if the volunteer is eligible to be on site. We also are no longer accepting DUI or DWI cases.

CORPORATE 

Click to learn more about opportunities for Corporate Groups

  1. Company Volunteer Time Off (VTO) – If you are with a company who gives you a certain number of days or hours that you can volunteer away from the office, you can complete your service with Five Acres if you are willing to commit to our minimum requirements to volunteering and can commit to consistently volunteering with us for at least 6 months. This is due to the fact that we require training for all of our volunteers before they can come on site. If you cannot meet this, we welcome you to hold a Donation Drive for Five Acres!  Visit our Wish List or check out our Amazon Wish List to collect items for the dogs and cats of Five Acres!  Once items are collected, we’d love to schedule time with you to bring the donations to the shelter and meet with a few dogs!
  2. My group of co-workers/employees from my company is interested in coming to Five Acres to help complete a project or help in whatever way we can.  How do we go about that?
    • Because of the time and specific training that is required to work with the animals, we are unable to accommodate groups who are interested in working directly with the animals.
    • Here are some ideas for you to consider when deciding how best you would like to partner with us!
      • Sponsor a Donation Drive! If you would like to hold a Donation Drive, here are the links to our General Wish List, our Amazon Wish List that point you in the direction of exactly what we need at any given time!
      • Become a Sponsor for one of our special events!  Contact Madeline for more details.
      • Sponsor an adoption fee for a dog or cat!  Email Madeline learn more!
  3. I have heard that Five Acres offers Cuddle Breaks to companies.  What are those?
    1. If you’d like Five Acres to bring some adoptable animals to your business for a one-hour lunch time Cuddle Break for a donation, we invite you to visit our Corporate Involvement page and scroll down to Cuddle Breaks to complete a Cuddle Break Registration Form!

YOUTH

  1.  I am an with a Girl Scout or Boy Scout Troop and would like to have my group come to the shelter for a project. How do I go about this?

Please visit the Youth Involvement page and scroll down to Troop Visits!

  1. I have a child who is younger than 18 who LOVES animals and wants to volunteer with Five Acres.  What can we do to make this happen?

Unfortunately, we can not have individuals under 18 volunteer volunteering on campus.  However, we encourage you to consider other options, such as holding a donation drive.  You could also make snuffle mats, no sew blankets, make homemade treats, etc.  Check out the Youth Involvement page for more details!

STUDENTS  

  1.  Student needing service hours for a class, NHS, a club, group, committee, organization, religious organization:  If the student is over 18 and is interested in coming in regularly (weekly for at least 6 months), they can complete a regular volunteer application.  If the student is not yet 18, please refer to the Youth page on the website for ideas.

Volunteer Hours

Every day:

Canine Clubhouse

  • 7-9am – Dog Walking, Kennel Cleaners
  • 7:30-9am – Laundry/Dishes
  • 10am-12pm (M-F) – Canine Enrichment
  • 1-3pm – Dog Walking
  • 3:45-4:45 – Laundry/Dishes
  • 4:30-6pm – Dog Walking

Kitty Cottage

  • 9-11:30 – Kitty Cottage Cleaners, Light Duty, FeLV Rooms, Kitten Room
  • 12-1pm – Cat Enrichment
  • 4-6pm – Evening Wrap Up, FeLV Rooms and Kitten Room

VOLUNTEER.        FOSTER.        ADOPT.      DONATE.