The Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions volunteer team plays an invaluable role in the lifesaving efforts of the organization, supporting both people and cats most in need. Volunteers can do almost anything – supporting every area of our organization – from cleaning to bookkeeping, feeding kittens to data entry, and everything in between.
Most volunteers begin in cat care while they become familiar with our organization, adoption center, and cats; but additional advanced training and opportunities are available in areas such as guest services, adoption counseling, medical care, etc.
Every volunteer role is crucial to building strong and enduring relationships in the community and providing the best possible welfare to each cat and kitten in our care. Whatever your interests, skills, or experience may be, our team is happy to find the right fit for you and provide the training you need.
Joining the Homeward Bound volunteer team is easy – the first step is filling out a volunteer application. Once you fill out your volunteer application, our team will follow up by email with next steps.
Full-service volunteers must be at least 18 years old to volunteer independently.
We are excited to welcome volunteers ages 10-17 to our Junior Volunteer Program!
Junior Volunteer opportunities are available every day of the week and include tasks such as cleaning, laundry, dishes, socializing with cats, working with potential adopters, etc.
Junior Volunteers are required to volunteer with their parent/guardian at all times.
Full-service volunteers must be at least 18 years old to volunteer independently. Junior Volunteers between the ages of 10 and 17 are required to volunteer with their parent/guardian at all times.
All volunteers must:
Volunteers are asked to commit to volunteer shifts at least twice a month and complete at least 24 hours of volunteer service.
Volunteers who have not volunteered within the last 6 months may need to re-complete the on-boarding process and/or program-specific training prior to regaining full volunteer status. Those who have not volunteered within the last year will be asked to re-complete the entire orientation and onboarding process.
If you have read through the requirements and are ready to get started, please fill out a Full-Service or Junior Volunteer Application. Our team will review your application and follow up about next steps.
At this time, group volunteer opportunities are limited and on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to volunteer@homewardboundcats.org if you are interested in volunteering with your group.
As long as you qualify for our Volunteer Program and can complete all volunteer requirements, you can apply your volunteer time toward community service hours for school, church, other organizations, or court-mandated requirements. In order to have the hours verified, you must maintain a volunteer time tracking sheet and have your hours verified in person by a staff member each time you volunteer.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer onsite volunteer opportunities for children under 10 years of age. If you are interested in more information about independent projects that may be suitable for children, please contact volunteer@homewardbouncats.org.
They say fostering saves lives, and it’s true at Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions! We started as a foster-based organization, and now that we have an adoption center, fostering saves double the lives – the foster cat(s)/kitten(s) you open your heart and home to, and the additional cat(s)/kitten(s) we can save because we have space and resources available for them.
Fosters provide a temporary home for cats and kittens while they grow old enough and big enough for adoption, recover from illness or injury, or while they get a break from the adoption center so we can learn more about them in a home environment.
Join the Homeward Bound foster team now! The first step is filling out a foster application. Once you fill out your foster application, our team will follow up by email with next steps.
Our fosters must be at least 18 years old.
All fosters must:
Homeward Bound provides the support and resources you will need to know how to care for as your fosters. Depending on availability, we will always try to provide as much support with supplies as we can as well. In general, fosters are responsible for:
Absolutely! Most of our fosters have pets of their own as well. However, we recommend that you keep your foster cat/kitten separated from your resident pets, usually in a bedroom or bathroom that is easily cleaned. Foster kittens and cats may have weakened immune systems or could be carrying illnesses you would not want to expose your pet to.
Depending on the type of foster you have, the time will vary. For example, sick/injured cats/kittens may need 2-6 weeks of care. Neonatal kittens may need up to 3 months. Cats stressed by the adoption center may remain in foster until they are adopted. Please let our team know what timeframes you have available, and we can match you with the right fit.
Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions is a volunteer-driven organization, which means that the care of our cats as well as raising awareness for what we do entirely depends on people like you. We would not exist without volunteers.