Cat Cuddling/Enrichment

Cat Cuddling is important to creating happy, fulfilled kitties that find homes faster! It helps with better socialization and the overall welfare of the shelter cats.

Cat Volunteer Orientation Notes

Sign In/Out

• Sign in and out at the desk in the hallway next to the bathrooms on the laptop, or the Cause Connect App 

Attire

• Closed toe shoes (no flip flops, no sandals)
• Wear pants or a jacket with pockets, or a fanny pack. Shorts, lots of exposed skin, and dangling jewelry are not recommended. Tie back long hair before volunteering.
• If possible, wear an HSCC general t-shirt. Can be purchased at the shelter. You will receive one free volunteer shirt after 20 volunteer hours are completed.

Volunteer Hours

• Tuesday – Friday – 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
• Sunday - Monday (and any days the shelter is closed) 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Socialization

• Socialization items such as toys, scratch pads, brushes, etc. can be found either in the top drawer of the A/B cat area, or the large brown bin in the cat storage room. Make sure to put them back where you found them once you are done with them. 
• There is no catnip allowed in the building, but catnip smelling sprays are perfectly fine to use!
• A/B kennels
• There will be a board that can be used to see who has been out/socialized for the day. You can refer to any notes for that cat there in terms of what they like when being socialized
• Each kennel will have a kennel card color coded for ease of behavioral notes (GREEN, YELLOW, ORANGE, PINK)
• Green - this cat is friendly and generally allows handling; we have not seen aggression or issues with most other cats; best for new volunteers
• Yellow - STOP and look at the notes on my kennel! There is a special request about me. I sometimes need slow handling, have spicy moments, or cannot be out with other cats. Be sure to look hard at these notes since something is special about them!
• Orange - FIV+ cats that have an immunodeficiency virus. They can only be out with other FIV+ orange tag cats
• Pink - DO NOT TOUCH! These cats are staff only. This is due to aggression, vaccine status, etc.
• C section
• Volunteers are never allowed access to the “C” kennels in the cat area, as this is where isolation animals are held.
• Colonies
• All cats in colonies must stay in their designated colony for socialization. Please do not take them out of their rooms. Keep an eye out for signage on the doors. Sometimes we may have “No Volunteers” written on there

Food

• Volunteers are not allowed to give out ANY food to the cats due to vomiting/diarrhea with their sensitive stomachs
• This includes refilling food bowls - that is not allowed
• No treats or canned food are allowed to be given to the cats

Cleaning/Litter Boxes

• If you see dirty living areas, feel free to tidy them up. You can replace linens with something similar in the laundry room.
• Litter boxes can no longer be dumped unless you received approval from Animal Services (Kaitlyn or True)
• You are welcome to use the scoop method! Grab a poop bag/grocery bag by the volunteer table, a scoop in the cat storage area, and feel free to clean litter boxes.
• Please use one scoop per colony
• A shared scoop can be used for A/B kennels
• You are welcome to refill water bowls, but NOT food bowls
• Extra water bowls are in the cabinets in the cat storage area

Other Notes

• Please let ANIMAL SERVICES know if you see any behavioral or medical concerns, or issues with cleaning - this is Kaitlyn or True ONLY
• If we are not available to hear concerns, please write them on the dry erase sheet on the front of our office door!
• Safety is a priority!
• If you are ever put in a position where you are uncomfortable handling an animal, let Animal Services know. We would rather handle the concern, than put you in a position to be injured!
• Do NOT introduce family members, friends, or any members of the public to shelter dogs. Visitors must check in with Animal Services to visit with the animals.