  
The Houston SPCA Volunteer Program
Making a Difference
Thank you for your interest in the
Houston SPCA Volunteer Program! The Houston SPCA has hundreds of dedicated
volunteers helping us help the animals. Without these compassionate, caring
people, we could not continue our efforts on behalf of the animals.
We are always looking for volunteers
to help further this mission, however we ask that all volunteers be able to commit
to a recurring two-hour shift each week, and be at least 16 years
of age.
FAQs:
Do you offer court appointed
community service?
We DO NOT offer court
appointed community service except through the Harris County Community
Restitution Program. These are people that have been assigned to us through
Harris County and they know who they are. If you are in this program, please do
not ask to fill out a volunteer application. Please e-mail Volunteer Services
at volmgr@houstonspca.org to
learn how to get started.
Do volunteers get to work in Cruelty
Investigations?
Please note that volunteers do not
get to accompany our cruelty investigators on ride-alongs nor do volunteers get
the opportunity to work with the investigators or volunteer with any animals
involved in active cruelty cases.
Is there availability for one-time
volunteering?
Unfortunately, because of the amount
of training required to work with our animals we do not offer one-time training
opportunities for individuals. We do offer minimal group opportunities once a
month for corporations. If you are interested in this, please contact me as
soon as possible because these fill up very quickly.
Can my child under 16 years old
volunteer at the SPCA if they are volunteering with me?
We do not offer any opportunities
for youth to volunteer under the age of 16. We do however offer a Spring,
Winter, and Summer Critter Camps for young people 8-14 years old. If you are
interested in learn more about our Critter Camp, please click Critter Camp Information.
Is it possible to volunteer for a
short amount of time?
We require our volunteers to
volunteer for at least the equivalent of a summer; 3 months or more. The time
that it takes to train our volunteers and get them acclimated to their areas
requires that amount of time for it to be of the best interest of not only the
shelter, but of the volunteer. We also cannot have people volunteer for a set
number of hours and then end their volunteer experience. We work very hard to retain all our
volunteers and we don’t want to enter into a relationship with somebody knowing
they will be leaving.
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES AND PROCESS
To begin the volunteer process
please contact Tiffany Buford, Manager of Volunteer Services, at volmgr@houstonspca.org to request an online volunteer application. Upon receipt of your request for an
application Tiffany or a volunteer will be in contact with you to send you an
application. If you are a youth
volunteer you will also be required to complete two essays prior to
volunteering and receiving orientation dates.
When the application is completed
and approved you will receive multiple available orientation dates so that you
can choose which date works best for you. The orientations last approximately
1.5 hours and give an overview of our programs, services, the volunteer
program, and the next steps in the volunteer process.
After completion of orientation
volunteers will be scheduled for a training date in the area that they are
interested in with Tiffany or another volunteer. All new volunteers begin in large dogs, small
dogs, the cattery, or small mammals. On your training day, you will be asked to
pay $25 to cover the cost of insurance we provide each volunteer, badge,
and t-shirt. Once orientation and
training is complete all volunteers will be approved to volunteer on a
designated day and time of the week of their choosing.
Available
Volunteer Opportunities:
The following volunteer positions
assist with the daily operation of the Houston SPCA, and are available to
qualified applicants.
Direct Animal Care
Assist potential adopters find
companion animals, clean cages, socialize animals, and walk animals.
The areas in Direct Animal Care
include:
- Large Adoptable Dogs & Puppies
- Small Adoptable Dogs & Puppies
- The Cattery
- Small Mammals
*You must complete 20 hours in one
of these four areas before moving on to any other area.
Other Volunteer Opportunities after
20 hours are completed
Admissions
Receive incoming animals, and assist in completing necessary paperwork. You
must be 18 years of age, have 20 hours volunteer experience in adoption
counseling/front desk and 20 hours in direct animal care.
Barn
These volunteers assist in the barn with feeding, bathing, and socializing the
farm animals. Must be 18 years of age and have completed at least 20 hours in
an animal care area to be considered for this position.
Clinic Technician Assistant –Surgery
& Clinic
Help the veterinary staff process incoming animals and prepare them for
adoption. Includes preparing vaccinations, cleaning ears, and general grooming.
Must be 18 years of age and have a minimum of 20 hours in an animal care area
is required for this position.
Front Desk/Adoption Counselor
Help process adoption paperwork (including counseling), answer phones, take
cruelty and lost & found reports and assist the public with general
questions/directions. Must be 18 years of age and have completed at least 20
hours in an animal care area to be considered for this position.
Humane Education
Assist with tours of the facility
and Critter Camp (summer, spring break and Christmas holiday). Must have completed at least 20 hours in an animal care area to be
considered for this position.
Mobile Adoptions
Held at various locations throughout Houston, volunteers work to find homes for
Houston SPCA animals. Examples of locations include Neiman Marcus and Toyota
Center.
Special Events
Held at different locations throughout the year. Examples of special events
include microchip clinics, Gala, and other community events. A minimum of 20
hours in an animal care area is required for this position.
Thank you,
Tiffany Buford
Manager of Volunteer Services
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