Animal Services departments offers multiple volunteer opportunities that are flexible enough to fit into any busy schedule. You can help animals in need and your community by donating your time and talents in the area that most suits you and your schedule!  To register online please visit: http://plano.gov/Departments/Volunteer/Pages/animal.aspx

In Shelter Volunteer

A variety of jobs working directly or indirectly with animals, clerical, cleaning, and working with visitors to match them with their perfect pet. Must be at least 18 years old, have an interview with a ‘Volunteers in Plano’ staff person, attend orientation and training before service can begin.  Great opportunity for individuals and couples who want to work regularly- flexible schedules available.

Positions include:

• Cat Room Attendant   Help improve the comfort level of our cats by cleaning their area and interacting with them. Answer questions and show cats for visits.
• Dog Walker To provide exercise and bathroom time to the adoptable dogs so that their stay at the shelter is more comfortable.  Dogs are leashed walk one at a time in designated areas on the shelter grounds.
• Front Lobby Assistant  Greeting and assisting visitors as they enter the shelter, answering general questions, and making sure the lobby is clean and organized.
• Front Office Assistant  Assist with filing, label envelopes, and general office work.
• Kennel Attendant To ensure that all the adoptable dogs have a clean place to stay. To assist the public by bringing adoptable dogs into the designated visit areas and answering general questions.
• Laundry Attendant  To provide the vital service of having clean towels, blankets and beds available for the animals. To provide comfort to ease stress and sanitation to cut down on illness. 

Foster Volunteer

Volunteer in your own home temporarily caring for a shelter animal in need of love and attention. Animals will be in your home for a limited time and returned to the shelter for adoption. For more details click here. One household member must be at lest 21, household must be  within 30 miles of 4028 West Plano, have an interview with a ‘Volunteers in Plano’ staff person and an interview at Animal Services with volunteer coordinator. Great opportunity for families and individuals who want to provide short term care and comfort for long term happiness.

Short Term/One Time  Volunteer

The 2^nd Wednesday and Saturday of each month from 10:00am to 1:00pm will be open to individuals, teams or groups who would like to help out without becoming a regular volunteer.

Duties will be in the cleaning and organizing category with no animal handling.  Work may be inside or outside and dress code is required.  Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have an interview with a ‘Volunteers in Plano’ staff person. Great opportunity for groups, couples and individuals who want to help just occasionally.

Duties Available:

1.     Cleaning windows and floors
2.     Organizing cabinets, drawers, and outside storage pods
3.     Laundry and dish cleaning
4.     Towel folding
5.     Organizing linens; separating out old and torn sheets and towels
6.     Poop scooping
7.     Washing trucks
8.     Cleaning crates and carriers

To register online please visit: http://plano.gov/Departments/Volunteer/Pages/animal.aspx

Animal Shelter Projects

Drives, Donations or Fund Raisers

Everyday shelter needs include:

• Paper towels, ammonia, or laundry detergent, heavy duty lawn/leaf bags, small rugs, cotton balls, Isopropyl alcohol, bottled water and spray water bottles.
• IAM's adult dry dog food, IAM's puppy food wet and dry, IAM's adult dry cat food, IAM's kitten food wet and dry (kitten & puppy food greatest need is in spring and summer) or Tidy Cat kitty litter (non-clumping) -   unopened bags only please.
• Dog, puppy, cat, and kitten toys to bring joy to the animals, shirt boxes for litter pans, flea products, treats for dogs and cats, American rawhide chew bones, washable toys for dogs and cats, cat bandanas for dogs, LARGE balls for the dogs, or igloo style dog houses.

Everyday Foster program needs include: 

• Iams Puppy (canned)
• Iams Kitten (canned)
• House training pads.
• KMR Kitten Replacement Formula  (Dry)
• KMR Puppy Replacement Formula  (Dry)
• Cat Litter (clumping kind)
• Small litter boxes  (low sides)
• Heating pads
• Nursing bottles
• Kitten & Puppy Shampoo
• Chew & stuffed toys

Specialty shelter items needed are:

• Mobile Adoption Van or Sponsors
• Horse Trailer

Specialty Foster program items needed are:

• Crates/Cages
• Door gates
• Humidifiers
• Heating Lamps
• Beds

Fun to create:

• Create and decorate paperweight rocks   

• Make beds from fabrics & quilting materials for dogs and cats. Cat beds should be about 12x16, dog beds may be a variety of sizes
  
• Kitty Forts Craft Project
  
• Craft Projects for Youths and Scout Groups

Raise funds to donate or to buy donated goods by:

• A bake sale or lemonade stand.
• A craft stand, get family or friends to make their favorite crafts and sell them.
• Have a birthday party where your guests bring presents from the shelter donation list.

Donations, whether monetary or goods or services are always appreciated!
Every contribution helps a homeless animal and is tax deductible.