TAPS welcomes volunteers to help with animal care, adoption events and a variety of special interest areas. Volunteers must be 15 years of age to volunteer at TAPS alone. TAPS welcomes volunteers ages 12-14, who are accompanied by a parent or approved adult.

To become a volunteer, you must first attend a "Volunteer Orientation" held bi-monthly on Thursday or Friday evening. Please call TAPS to sign up for an orientation. Orientations are held at 7:00 PM and typically last one to one and a half hours. During the orientation, you will learn about different ways you can get involved at TAPS and basic animal care and animal handling. You will also set up an appointment to meet with our Volunteer Coordinator, Sheila Borton, on an upcoming day to discuss additional questions and become more familiar with TAPS. Sheila can be contacted at tapsvol@yahoo.com for more additional volunteering related questions.

Administrative Volunteer - These volunteers will be responsible for assisting in the front office. Tasks include answering the phone, helping visitors/customers, and assisting the office manager with "paperwork". Individuals must learn admission and adoption policies and must be friendly, outgoing and organized. This is an excellent opportunity for people who may not want to work hands-on with shelter animals due to allergies, etc.

Cat Care Assistant - Assist staff in cleaning cat rooms, including cleaning cages, changing litter boxes, feeding, doing laundry, washing dishes, sweeping and mopping floors. Spend time grooming, petting and giving special one-on-one attention to the cats that often only the volunteers can provide.

Dog Care Assistant/Walker - Assist staff cleaning dog kennels, doing laundry, dishes, scooping poop, grooming dogs, walking dogs and interacting with them in the outside pens. Spend time with individual dogs playing ball and socializing. Individuals must be comfortable around dogs, use only positive methods when interacting with the dogs, and be physically able to handle any size dog. Dog walkers are responsible for leashing a dog, removing him from the kennel, maintaining control during the walk using positive methods, and returning him to his kennel.

Dog Walker – All dogs need exercise, and not only does this allow them a needed chance to exercise--- they also enjoy the socialization time with their handler and this allows the opportunity to work on manners and good behavior which will make each dog that much more adoptable. All dogs enjoy a minimum of three times outside each day and the more walks and one-on-one time they receive, the better.

Bookkeeper - A volunteer bookkeeper would need knowledge of bookkeeping practices, some practical experience and an understanding of financial reports such as Balance Sheets and Profit and Loss Statements. TAPS uses QuickBooks, which is a user-friendly accounting program, so specific knowledge of this program is not necessary. Duties include entering invoices after verification by staff, tracking petty cash, paying bills electronically, assuring correct accounts are charged, performing month-end transactions, reconciling bank statements, and creating financial reports. Initial training will be provided. Volunteer would not be asked to attend board meetings or file tax or other government reports.

Grooming – Without volunteers this important job would most likely be overlooked. No one wants to bring home a dirty or matted pet. Simply volunteering to bathe and brush the animals stimulates better hair growth, and the pets are happier and healthier as a result. Feline grooming is an excellent example of how our younger volunteers can become involved with animals hands-on.

Shelter Cleaning – Cleaning the shelter is a very important task, not only does it make the building presentable for the potential adopters and visitors to TAPS, it also provides a clean, safe and healthy environment for these animals to live in as they await their forever homes. Cleaning can include care for a certain room, doing dishes or laundry, as well as dusting, washing windows and floors. It is all very important and appreciated.

Building & Grounds – If you are more of an outdoors person and would prefer working the grounds or improving outside facilities then we have need of your services. We want our building and grounds to look nice and reflect a sense of care and pride – your help with mowing, planting flowers and grounds upkeep help us to achieve this.

Animal Socializer – Many cats, dogs, puppies and kittens come into the shelter fearful, timid and shy. This behavior is due largely to poor or lack of socialization and handling. Through the love and time spent with these animals you can help them to become more outgoing and trusting.

Dog Training – Volunteers have the opportunity to assist TAPS in insuring that our dogs have one on one training and stimulation. Through good manners and socialization, we can help the dogs get adopted and stay in their future homes by encouraging and rewarding positive behaviors and discouraging negative ones. This is a seasonal (summer) opportunity and requires a weekly commitment of time.

Adoptions Counselors – These volunteers’ assist and interview potential adopters. Through discussion and using our meet your match guidelines, you will assist in selection of an appropriate companion animal and provide basic behavioral and health care information counseling. Telephone follow-up and support is encourage and an important part of this position in order to assure the success of each adoption.

Evening Lead Volunteers – Volunteers in this position will need experience and a thorough understanding of all shelter practices and procedures. They will be responsible for complete evening shelter care, to include; overseeing evening volunteers, ensuring all dogs receive their evening feeding, and a walk. Additionally, kennels will be spot cleaned as needed. These individuals will undergo one-on-one training with the director to develop a full understanding of responsibilities. This job is a big one, but it is very rewarding and requires a weekly or bi-weekly evening commitment from the hours of 5 PM to 8 PM.



TAPS Animal Adoption Center and Shelter 309-353-8277