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girl with dog quote Do you want to volunteer as
An individual?

A company?

A civic group?

Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Wayside Waifs! Volunteers play a significant role in enriching the lives of our shelter animals, and helping us to raise awareness about animal welfare in our community. In 2008, Wayside housed over 7,000 animals, and we expect even more in 2009! As you can see, we could not possibly begin to adequately assist this tremendous number of animals who come to us in need, without your help and support.

Currently we are working on implementing a new Volunteer Management Database, as well as creating new opportunities and training for our outstanding existing and potential volunteers. Therefore, we are not accepting new applications at this time. We look forward to meeting you in January!

**If you applied before October 16, 2009, you will be contacted about October/November training opportunities.** We typically offer two orientations a month, and can accommodate up to thirty people in each session.

For more information about helping in our Humane Education department, please send us an email or contact us at (816) 986-4422.

What does it take to become a Volunteer?

Are you at least 16 years old?

Do you have an interest in helping animals?

Have you read, and are you comfortable with Wayside's No Kill Policy?

Are you able to volunteer at least eight hours a month?

If you answered yes, this is the place for you!

New Applications will be accepted in January 2010.

beige cat

Youth Application
Age 16-18

Youth need to complete the first 25 hours working directly with the animals.

Step 1: Apply online or print and return a Youth Application.

Step 2: You will be contacted in the next two weeks to
schedule Orientation.

Step 3: Attend Orientation and sign up for Dog 1 or Cat 1.

Step 4: Start volunteering at Wayside!

Adult Application
Parents interested in volunteering with a teen (13-15), please complete at Teen Form.

Youth need to complete their first 25 hours working directly with the animals.

Step 1: Apply online or print and return the Adult Application.

Step 2: You will be contacted in the next two weeks to schedule
Orientation.

Step 3: Attend Orientation and sign up for additional classes as needed.

Step 4: Start volunteering at Wayside!

Volunteer Opportunities

Scheduled
These volunteers donate their time on a set schedule. They volunteer on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, and help us to provide consistant enrichment to the animals in our care.

Dog Companion	Cat Companion
Follow-up Volunteer	Meet and Greet Specialist
Database Volunteer	Canine Chauffer
Receptionist	Greeter

Unscheduled
Do you have time to give, but are unable to commit to a schedule? These activities do not require a set schedule.

Dog Socializer

Cat Socializer

Other Volunteer Needs
These volunteers help on an "as needed" basis. Schedulers are based on shelter needs and community requests. More information is available at Orientation.

Foster Care	Humane Education
Party Animals	Wayside Community Representative
Mobile Adoptions	Digital Photography

Corporate Volunteers and Group Service Projects

Corporate and group opportunities at Wayside Waifs include: special events, grounds keeping and building maintenance, and various other special projects throughout the year. Groups can be as small as three and as large as twenty, depending on the current needs of the shelter. Groups interested should complete the Project Request Form to learn more about this month's activities. Our needs are continually changing, and we will typically know at the beginning of each month what group activities are available. All monetary and product donations are tax deductible. Your company image will benefit from an association with a high profile, prestigious non-profit organization.

Groups that are interested in working with the animals should complete the Adult Application, and plan to attend Orientation and applicable training classes.

All members of the group must be at least 16 years old. Groups with participants under the age of 16 should contact our Humane Education department about opportunities, and are encouraged to participate in the Service Projects listed below.

Wayside Waifs serves the community through a variety of outreach projects that will appeal to your customers', clients' and employees' needs. You may also want to increase your company’s exposure in our print and broadcast media, banner signage and event program acknowledgement.

If your company is interested in sponsoring a Wayside event, click here for more information.

Lunch and Learn: A Wayside team member will visit your company to talk to your employees about Wayside Waifs and the volunteer opportunities available.

For more information or to discuss about volunteering, please contact AnnMarie Thomas at (816) 986-4431 or email athomas@waysidewaifs.org

Service Projects

There are a variety of ways you can help the animals who are temporarily housed at Wayside Waifs.

Surf the net for animals

Set your search engine to http://www.goodsearch.com/. Let them know that you are supporting Wayside Waifs. Every search you make sends money to the animals. It is a Yahoo! search engine, so get surfing!

Hold a blanket/towel drive

All animals housed at the shelter are provided with something soft to lay and sleep on. New or old, your blankets and towels will help make a shelter animals stay more comfortable.

Collect wish list items

Our wish list identifies items the shelter needs year round. Organize a drive to collect these items and then bring them to the shelter.

Organize a penny drive

Pennies to some are a fortune to us! Encourage everyone you know to donate their pennies (or any other amount) to help the homeless animals!

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