After completing an application, volunteers will need to:

• Attend a Volunteer Orientation
• Attend Cat and Dog Training
• Complete a background check

Each of these sessions is approximately two hours in length. Because of the amount of training involved for a successful experience, volunteers should be willing to commit two hours a week for six months. For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator.

Adult Volunteer Program
For adult participants, 18 years of age or older. 

Family Volunteer Program
Children 12-14 years of age may volunteer with a parent or legal guardian. Parent or guardian must be with the child at all times while volunteering. If younger than 18 years old, please have your parent or legal guardian contact us.

Animal Care

• Weekdays and weekends
• General dog and puppy runs or areas assigned by shelter staff.
• Assisting kennel staff with cleaning dog kennels and cat cages, animal feeding and laundry.  This position requires lots of stooping, scooping and lifting. Volunteers should plan on a minimum of four hours per visit.
• Requirements: Volunteers must learn and practice safe animal handling according to OCAS cat and dog guidelines at all times, and be able to bend, lift and tolerate exposure to loud noise and cleaning agents. Volunteers must also be able to lift 35 pounds.
• Training:  Volunteer orientation, cat and dog training, on-the-job training by shelter staff, adoption procedures.

Customer Service Greeters

• Weekdays and weekends
• Front lobby and general dog and cat areas
• Greet guests at the door and/or assist them in adoption areas, answering questions concerning animals and the adoption procedure. Guide people through the shelter.
• Requirements: Volunteers must have excellent customer service and counseling skills, be able to multitask effectively, and professionally represent OCAS at all times. Volunteers must learn and practice safe animal handling according to OCAS cat and dog guidelines at all times, and be able to bend, lift and tolerate exposure to cleaning agents. Volunteers must also be able to lift 35 pounds.
• Training: Volunteer orientation, cat and dog training, on-the-job training by the front desk staff and greeter, adoption procedures.

Dog Exercise Program

• Weekdays and weekends
• Public dog and puppy area
• Volunteers provide exercise and socialization for pre-screened dogs and puppies. The extra attention calms the animals and eases their tension, which makes them more adoptable. Volunteers will walk dogs in designated areas on the shelter grounds and spend time with puppies in the pavilion. As a pet exerciser, your first responsibility is to assist all customers with adoptions. All customers are required to interact with the dog or puppy before submitting an application.
• Requirements: Volunteers must have excellent customer services skills and learn and practice safe animal handling according to OCAS cat and dog guidelines at all times.  You must be able to bend, lift and tolerate exposure to loud noise and cleaning agents. Volunteers must also be able to lift 35 pounds.
• Training: Volunteer orientation, cat and dog training, adoption procedures.  Additional training will be provided by the volunteer coordinator or an appointed volunteer mentor.

Cat Condo Attendant

• Weekdays and weekends
• Cat condo and free-roaming cat area
• Volunteers will assist guests with adoptions and answering questions. Socialize and comfort the animals. Maintain cleanliness of the cat housing area, scoop litter boxes, provide food and water cats and kittens. Wash dishes, sweep floors, stock supplies.
• Requirements: Volunteers must have excellent customer services skills and learn and practice safe animal handling according to OCAS cat and dog guidelines at all times.  You must be able to bend, lift and tolerate exposure to loud noise and cleaning agents. Volunteers must also be able to lift 35 pounds.
• Training: Orientation, cat and dog training, adoption procedures.   Additional training will be provided by the volunteer coordinator or an appointed volunteer mentor.

Cat Isolation Attendant

• Weekdays and weekends; early morning
• Cat isolation area (employees and volunteers only), this area is closed to the public for adoptions.
• Clean each cat cage, provide food and water for cats. Cleaning involves sifting through soiled litter pans and changing newspapers as needed, washing dishes and keeping up with laundry, sweeping and mopping. Perform other tasks as assigned by shelter staff.
• Training: Volunteers must have excellent customer services skills and learn and practice safe animal handling according to OCAS cat and dog guidelines at all times.  You must be able to bend, lift and tolerate exposure to loud noise and cleaning agents. Volunteers must also be able to lift 35 pounds. Additional training will be provided by the volunteer coordinator or shelter staff.

Clinic Assistant

• Weekdays
• If the clinic is an area in which you would be interested in volunteering, please contact our volunteer coordinator. All interested candidates will need to meet with the clinic supervisor for consideration in this area.  Volunteers must have excellent customer services skills and learn and practice safe animal handling according to OCAS cat and dog guidelines at all times.  You must able to bend, lift and tolerate exposure to loud noise and cleaning agents. Volunteers must also be able to lift 35 pounds.

Foster Care Volunteers for Cats and Dogs

• The foster program was established to give injured, sick, and unsocialized cats and dogs that would otherwise be euthanized the chance to heal, recover, and find permanent, loving homes. If you are interested in being a foster parent, please contact Debi Villella at 407-254-9159.

Special Events

• When scheduled. A description and requirements will be provided at time of sign-up. Volunteers will be properly trained by the appropriate staff.