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Volunteer Opportunities
TAPS has many wonderful volunteer opportunities available. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sheila Borton at tapsvol@yahoo.com.
Gimme Shelter Campaign - This volunteer responsibility is to collect money from assigned doghouse banks that are located at area businesses and mail a cashier's check for the total amount once a month. The money collected goes toward food, shelter and other operating costs associated with providing for the animals on a day-to-day basis. If you are interested in this position, contact Debbie Fischer at djfisch@bumail.bradley.edu.
Training Our Pooches (TOP) Program - If you are serious about helping
shelter dogs, call Ann Goyen at 347-5660 or come to the shelter any
Saturday morning between 8:30 and 11 a.m. to learn about and become a
member of the TOP program.
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.
Special Events – TAPS holds many special events from our Tailwaggers Dog Walk to the parade and booth at the Marigold Festival. We need an endless supply of interested volunteers to help with fundraising and planning these events, to taking part on the committees that research and thing up new ways for TAPS to reach out to the community and promote our animals.
Special Skills & Interest Areas – These include any of your special interests and unique talents – for example; photography, sewing, arts and crafts, fundraising, baking, legal professionals, writers, editors, graphic artists, and market or business professionals. Please tell us what you have to offer and we can find a unique way for you to become involved.
Offsite Adoption Assistants – These volunteers will help the animals reach people who may not otherwise come to the shelter. We hold offsite adoptions at several locations on weekends, and rely on the volunteers to help transport animals or supplies to the destination. Additionally, they help in loading the animals, setting up cages, and care for the animals throughout the event. We also depend on the volunteers to become familiar with the background of the animal in their care so they can communicate and answer questions from potential adopters as to whether the pet is a good fit for their home. Training will be provided by our offsite coordinator or another experienced volunteer. If you are interested in helping us with our offsite adoptions, contact Sheila Borton at 309-241-8226.
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.
Animal Assisted Therapy – Volunteers will take animals to nursing homes to visit elderly people who otherwise might not be able to see pets at all. Many of these people have owned dogs or cats and greatly miss that companionship. Petting the animals is very therapeutic and beneficial to all involved.
Animal Care Assistants – These volunteers will be responsible for assisting our animal technicians in all levels of care beginning with the initial health check up, and processing of paperwork after the animal is admitted to TAPS, to assistance in giving vaccinations, and carrying out treatments, nail trims, cleaning ears, etc. This is a great opportunity for students or adults looking to gain animal handling experience as preparation for pursuing a career as a veterinarian or veterinary technician, or those wanting to work in the field of animal science.
Humane Education – Volunteers in this area will deal with educating the public in many aspects from visiting local schools and day camps to marketing campaigns in the importance of spay/neuter! These individuals may also take part in local community events and fairs to bring further awareness of the TAPS.
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.
Offsite Adoption Counselors – These volunteers will help to organize the assistants to set up for the offsite event, check in with the store or event manager upon arrival, and take responsibility for professional conduct and clean up during and after the event. Additionally, this person is responsible for counseling the adopters, approving adoptions and completion of all necessary paperwork.
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.