Volunteers are a special breed, indeed

Like most animal shelters, Cocheco Valley Humane Society relies on volunteers. When most people think of volunteering at an animal shelter, they think of walking dogs and petting cats. In reality, there are so many more opportunities, even for people who might be allergic to animals. During the summer and fall, when the weather is nice and we’re involved in many activities, our need for volunteers is at its highest. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when many people are on vacation and unable to donate their time. If you’ve got a little time to spare, take a look at some of our shelter’s volunteer opportunities beyond direct animal care in the shelter and see if something is right for you.

Special Events

Between our own events and ones being held by other organizations in our area, we are usually committed to attending an event every weekend between the beginning of May and the end of December. Volunteers are always needed to help set up information tables, collect donations, hand out wish lists, and sell raffle tickets and retail items. In addition to attending local fairs and fundraisers, we hold our own adoption events at pet supply stores several times a month.

Collect Donations

We have a wonderfully supportive community and are thrilled to say that there are many local businesses that support our shelter by hosting donations banks. Spare change adds up quickly and the money we raise from these donation banks is an important part of our fundraising. When placing new donation banks in the community, we are in need of volunteers who are able to monitor the banks and empty them regularly. If there’s a business you frequent that you think might make a great donation bank host, let us know!

B-I-N-G-O

One of our most important fundraisers is our weekly Bingo game at Seacoast Bingo in Somersworth. Every Saturday night, the Bingo game benefits our shelter. The Bingo game is exclusively run by volunteers, and help is always needed! Volunteers put together Bingo packages, sell Bingo cards, call numbers, and confirm winners. Many volunteers complete their shift early in the evening then stick around to play the game!

Committees

Whenever our shelter holds a large fundraiser, we don’t do it alone. Many volunteers come together and join our events committees to help secure sponsors, organize entertainment and demonstrations, collect raffle items, and coordinate the logistics of our large-scale events. These fundraisers are crucial to the success of our organization and are not possible without help from our committee volunteers. If you have event experience, or are looking to gain some, event committees are a great way to help the shelter!

Foster Care

Don’t have time to volunteer at the shelter? No problem – we’ll bring the animals to you! Volunteers in our foster care program care for shelter animals in their own homes until they are ready for adoption. Oftentimes, the animals we send into foster care are kittens too young for adoption. Occasionally, animals will come to the shelter in need of surgery and may spend time in foster care to recover. Fostering an animal is a truly rewarding experience.

Haunted Overload

Our involvement with Haunted Overload has grown so much it deserves its own recognition. Haunted Overload is a one-of-a-kind Halloween attraction located in the woods of DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee, NH. The haunt is entirely built and run by volunteers and, since partnering with them in 2011, Haunted Overload has donated 10% of their proceeds to our shelter. We are always in need of volunteers to join the efforts of the Haunted Overload team in clearing trails, building parts of the attraction, directing cars, collecting tickets, and even performing in the haunt.

Humane Education

We are thrilled to be able to offer humane education programs to the community. Programs are tailored to meet the needs of each requester and typically feature either an adoptable animal or a friendly volunteer or staff-owned pet. At CVHS, we offer our programs at no cost and make presentations to all age groups, from pre-k students to senior living communities. As the demand for humane education presentations grows, so, too, does our need for trained volunteers willing to assist in giving presentations. Humane education is a great opportunity for teachers or anyone comfortable with public speaking.

Getting Started

All volunteers must start by filling out and submitting a volunteer application. Applications are available at the shelter or online at www.cvhsonline.org. Once approved, all volunteers must attend an orientation session at the shelter to learn more about our organization and policies. From there, volunteers are trained in whatever area(s) interests them most. Volunteering does not have to take up all of your spare time. At even an hour a week, you can make a difference in the lives of the animals!

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cat, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org.To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.