Volunteer Program
SICSA is looking for talented volunteers to help support us in a variety of ways. To find out about our next volunteer orientation night and become a volunteer apply online or at SICSA 2600 Wilmington Pike, Kettering OH 45419.
For more information about volunteer opportunities please contact Volunteer Coordinator Katie Tilly at KTilly@sicsa.org or call at 937-294-6505 extension 21.
Volunteer Opportunities
Animal Handling Opportunities
At SICSA we modify our animals’ behaviors using positive reinforcement and a consistent approach.
All volunteers who will be working with the animals must be trained and over 18. Once your application has been received you will be notified regarding our upcoming volunteer orientation nights.
We train our cat volunteers on cat socialization and the Open Paw principles. Volunteers interested in working with the cats will train for approximately two hours on cat kennel cleaning and one hour in cat socialization techniques.
Dog Volunteers will attend a 2 hour training session to learn how to promote positive behavior inside the kennel. Then they will attend one two-hour long dog kennel training session.
Volunteers who have completed that training may then walk dogs at SICSA, participate in offsite events, and Pet Therapy Visits. Monthly continuing education classes are also available for experienced and new SICSA volunteers.
Volunteers who have completed that training may then take Open Paw 3 training which teaches proper leash behavior and how to control and correct negative walking behaviors like pulling and leash grabbing.
Dog Programs
Dogs at SICSA are walked at least 4 times a day. Shifts start at 8AM, 10AM, 2PM, and 6PM. Volunteers are trained to help assist the staff in the kennels during these times in order to provide fresh water, clean bedding, and treats. Training Requirement: Volunteers can assist in the dog kennels once they have completed our Open Paw 1&2 training course. Volunteers must be trained through Open Paw 3 before they may walk the dogs.
Cat Programs
Volunteers spend time with our adoptable kittens and cats for kenneling, socialization and play. Prerequisite for socialization: One two hour training session.
Volunteers spend time with our adoptable cats and kittens. Cat and kitten shelters are cleaned every morning. Volunteers should arrive around 9AM to clean. All of our cats need one-on-one attention volunteers are welcome after 11AM to engage in socialization with our adult cats. Training Requirement: Volunteers can assist in the dog kennels once they have gone to orientation, attended the introduction to dog training class and completed their one-on-one kennel training session
Foster Care
Volunteers are needed to foster homeless puppies, dogs, cats and kittens in their home for a period of time. Fosters can choose a certain breed or size, a certain period of time (ex: summer), a certain gender or age. We can accommodate fosters and schedules in a variety of ways. See application below. Training Requirement: Foster Orientation.
--To be a foster care provider, download and fill out foster care application and email to dloase@sicsa.org or mail to:
SICSA
Attn: Foster Care Coordinator
2600 Wilmington Pike
Kettering, OH 45419
Greeters
Volunteers must enjoy interacting with the public and be willing to learn about SICSA’s services and programs. The primary role of the Greeter is to help direct customers and give a favorable first impression of SICSA. Training Requirement: Volunteers wishing to greet alongside a dog must complete Open Paw 1,2&3 along with two shadow sessions.
Development
Volunteers are needed working at special events and helping with office work.
Off-site Events
Volunteers can help adoption counselors represent SICSA, taking animals out and showing them off to potential adopters at different venues. SICSA travels to various locations and special events in our community with adoptable animals. You must be comfortable interacting with the public. Training Requirement: Offsite Volunteers must be able to handle both dogs and cats therefore they must be trained in Open Paw 1,2 &3 for dogs as well as training in cats.
Pet Therapy
Volunteers bring the joy and comfort of animal companionship to people in nursing homes and hospitals with our pet therapy kittens or pups. Training Requirement: PFT volunteers must be able to handle both dogs and cats therefore they must be trained in Open Paw 1,2 & 3 for dogs as well as training in cats.
--To find out more about Pet Therapy, please contact Carolyn at CSpiller@sicsa.org or 937-294-6505 ext. 20.
Birthday Parties Having a birthday party at SICSA is a way to help support us while having fun! Parties are usually held on Saturdays from 2pm - 4pm.
--If interested please email KPetrykowski@sicsa.org
SICSA Mini-Camps
Volunteers assist our Humane Educators at the SICSA facility and with outreach programs in local schools. SICSA Mini-Camp is a lively program using literature and science to teach humane concepts to K-8th grade students and is about 90 minutes in length.
Prospective volunteers may be subject to fingerprinting and a background check in keeping with the State of Ohio Guidelines for Volunteers Working with Children.
--If interested please email KPetrykowski@sicsa.org
Junior Volunteers
Junior Volunteers have already been selected for our 2013 Program please check back for the 2014 Junior Volunteer applications coming January 2014.
Teenagers from 13-17 years old can volunteer at SICSA. All junior volunteers must have a parent or guardian's consent to volunteer and have reliable transportation. Junior Volunteers will be responsible for the care of our animals. Their tasks include cleaning kennels, preparing food, refreshing water, and giving one-on-one attention to our animals.
Each year the junior application is posted at the beginning of the year until the 3rd week in March. Applicants will be informed of their placement the first week in April.
Parent’s Apprentice Program
Children between the ages of 9-12 can participate in cat kennel activities with their parent. The parent will have to be fully trained in cat socialization in order to work with the cats. Parents would then be responsible for training their children and must always be present whenever their child is at SICSA. Training Requirement: Parents must complete cat socialization training.
Friends of SICSA
Friends of SICSA (FOS) is always looking for more members. FOS makes and sells crafts at local bazaars and festivals and other fundraising activities. Meetings are the 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Email Pklarrick@ameritech.net for more information. Read more..
How To Apply:
To become a volunteer, apply online or at SICSA 2600 Wilmington Pike Kettering OH 45419
Orientation
Please contact the volunteer coordinators at KTilly@SICSA.org or 294-6505 ext. 21 for volunteer orientation information.
Benefits
All SICSA volunteers are required to become members ($38 membership fee due at orientation) and receive a volunteer t-shirt, SICSA car decal, e-newsletter, stray thoughts newsletter and any other promotional incentives we are offering at the time for members. Instruction in the Open Paw Training program is available for all volunteers.
Legal Issues
If you have ever been convicted of a felony you must disclose the date and the nature of the crime. Information will be kept confidential. If you have been convicted of any violent crimes against people or animals, theft, weapons or drug charges you will not be accepted into our program. Background checks may be required.
You must disclose if you are currently under a Labor & Industry claim, or have been released from any other volunteer position. Persons found withholding this information will be terminated immediately.