Fundraising
Event Planner: Time commitment varies. Larger events are in the planning stages 4-6 months prior to the event, while others may take only 1-2 months to organize. Put your creative and organization skills to work by serving on the planning committee for one of our annual events such as the Feline Festival, K-9 Karnival, and Birdies for Charity. The committees create the publicity, contact event sponsors, schedule places, people, etc.
Event Worker: Time commitment varies according to the event; time slots of 2 hours or more are available. Volunteers help at events by distributing APL literature, registering participants, selling merchandise, and if willing and able, helping with set-up and tear-down.
Membership/Newsletter Mailings
Various mailings are produced and distributed approximately seven times a year. Duties include creative writing and graphic design, markup, copying and collating, folding, labeling and stamping, and managing mailing lists.
Community Outreach
Visits to care facilities, classrooms, civic groups, or events include giving talks that encourage awareness, understanding and the practice of humane principles. Volunteers often act as APL Ambassadors of Goodwill, sharing the APL mission and the Homeward Bound vision, and encouraging new members and volunteers to join us.
Adopt-a-Pet
Volunteers plan, organize, publicize, promote, prepare, setup and tear down at Adopt-a-Pet events while ensuring that all animals are treated well and kept comfortable. They also counsel prospective adopters in selecting the most appropriate pet for their circumstance, explain the APL adoption network process, complete necessary paperwork, and provide whatever is needed to ensure a successful event.
APL Pet Placement Networking Counselor
Counselors are trained to respond to all calls coming into the telephone center. APL Network Counselors have the most direct contact with the people and the animals we serve. There may sometimes be a major time commitment as well as a willingness and ability to deal with people and situations involving animals in a helpful and supportive manner. Network Counselors have one of the most challenging roles in the APL, but they also receive the greatest personal satisfaction in the success of the Network. Counselors will respond to questions about the APL, about our animals available for adoption, about our programs, about assisting with placements, handling reports of abuse, cruelty, or neglect, refer callers appropriately to other resources. Counselors assist prospects in selecting a companion animal best suited for their circumstance, educating them about reasonable expectations, animals' behavior, need, training, and responsible pet care.
Foster Care
Provide a temporary home for emergency or immediate need animal placements until an appropriate forever home can be found. Generally, a 2-3 months' time commitment can be expected. There may be some financial responsibility involved in fostering. Foster Parents also provide a safe and humane environment for pregnant animals or those with babies too young to be placed. Socializing the animals to increase adoptability is an important part of foster care.
Animals in Disaster
Time commitment will vary depending upon the severity of the disaster. Volunteers will assist with animal documentation, transportation, animal care, and cleanup. Foster homes for animals may be needed if families are unable to return to their homes. The APL offers assistance to area domestic violence shelters when temporary housing is required for pets.
Animal Photographer
Volunteers photograph and load photos of animals on our network to our Petfinder website and prepare "Picture Pages" to assist in placement. We also submit photos to area media sources for publicity purposes.
Grant Writer
Research, develop, create and submit grant proposals.