Volunteer

KARE is a volunteer-powered, non-profit organization, based out of Kitsap County, whose mission is to provide animal welfare education as well as animal rescue/shelter support for the community.

Thank you Volunteers!

We want to recognize and honor all of our amazing volunteers, because without you, KARE would not exist. We cannot thank you enough for your dedication and support!

OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE…

  • Fosters
  • Trainers
  • Events Coordinators
  • Event/Community Outreach Volunteers
  • Marketing Team Members
  • Adoption Team Members
  • Volunteer Team Members
  • Administrative Assistants
  • and then some, and without salaries!

Interested in Becoming a KARE Volunteer?

We provide the training for all volunteer positions, so no prior experience is required. Whether fostering incoming animals, assisting in classes or workshops, or helping to make an event successful, you can be a part of the life-saving work we do. Before applying, please consider the following:

  1. Be of age. Most volunteer positions have a minimum age requirement of 18. Under 18? You will need permission from your Parent or Guardian. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator for details.
  2. Be in the area. We are centrally located out of Silverdale, WA, and operate within Kitsap County. Volunteers (and Fosters) must have reliable transportation and should consider the potential commute before applying to volunteer. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator for details.
  3. Submit an application. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator for an application form and tell us a bit about yourself.
  4. Attend an informal orientation. You will learn about the volunteer positions available with KARE, our history, and our policies.
  5. Choose a position and shift. Peruse the volunteer position descriptions to see what kinds of positions KARE has available.
  6. Things to consider. There are some flexible options, but a three- to six-month commitment is expected for most volunteer positions. While people come to KARE because they love animals, KARE Volunteers must also be able to work well with other people. After all, better relationships with our pets start with the people.

 

Volunteer Position Descriptions

Administrative Assistant

This position is responsible for a variety of support functions at KARE and will work closely with all KARE Coordinators and report to the Board of Directors. Among other things, it requires careful attention to detail and the ability to reliably meet deadlines. Flexibility is required in responding to emergent needs, some of which may not be delineated below but which are consistent with them. Communication skills is a must. The primary areas of responsibility are:

  • Serve as KARE liaison to all aspects of the organization to ensure a productive relationship.
  • Maintain proper files, and ensure all business correspondences are handled appropriately.
  • Assist with gathering of data and photos needed for newsletters and other KARE publications.
  • Assist with social media as requested.
  • Maintain databases and other files in neat and orderly condition.
  • Assist President in gathering and disseminating information for the Board.
  • Place orders for purchase of supplies as requested.
  • Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Policies and Procedures information for distribution as appropriate.
  • Assist as needed with the volunteer, adoption, foster, and training programs.

Dates Available: Year round

Shifts: Flexible; team meetings occur weekday evenings once per month.

Time commitment: Moderate to high

Location: Your home and KARE Training and Activity Center

Training required: Administrative Assistant volunteers are required to attend a volunteer orientation/meeting with one of the Board of Directors, which includes discussion on KARE key messages and programs, overview of existing SOPs and specific identification of duties.

Events Coordinator

The purpose of this position is to successfully plan, implement and coordinate fundraising events and other special events. The Events Coordinator works closely with the Marketing Coordinators, Board Members, Volunteer Coordinators and Adoption Manager. This is a key position responsible for advancing the overall fundraising program.

Dates Available: Year round

Shifts: Flexible although most events tend to occur during the Summer and Fall time frame.

Time commitment: Low to moderate

Location: Your home, KARE Training and Activity Center and around Puget Sound, WA

Training required: Event Coordinator volunteer is required to attend a volunteer orientation/meeting with the Board of Directors and Marketing Coordinator.

Community Outreach Volunteer

Big heart for animals but short on time? KARE needs friendly, outgoing, animal-loving people to represent KARE at fairs, festivals and parades throughout the year around the Puget Sound. Community Outreach Volunteers answer questions about the work we do at KARE, hand out educational materials, and tell people about our programs and upcoming events. This position is a great alternative (or addition) to a weekly volunteer commitment. If you are a student, you’ll get great public speaking experience while supporting animals!

Dates Available: Summer and fall with a few events in spring and winter

Shifts: Two to five-hour shifts (you choose events to attend based on a current event schedule) usually on Saturday or Sunday with some weekday opportunities.

Time commitment: Flexible

Location: Around Puget Sound, WA

Training required: Community Outreach Volunteers are required to attend a volunteer orientation/meeting with Events Coordinator or Marketing Coordinator for a two-hour skills training, which includes discussion on KARE key messages and programs, tips on talking to the public, and how to set up an outreach booth.

Photographer/Videographer

Do you love taking photos and videos? We need help with videos and photos of our training classes. Preferable if you a DLSR camera and have experience with professional photo and video editing software.

Dates Available: Year round

Shifts: Flexible although most of our training classes, workshops and sessions occur Thursday – Sunday

Time commitment: Moderate to high

Location: Your home and KARE Training and Activity Center

Training required: Photography/Videography volunteers are required to attend a volunteer orientation/meeting with one of the Training Coordinator which includes discussion on KARE key messages and programs along with specific needs for training videos.

Assistants for Therapy Pet Partner / Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluations

Do you like acting? Are you comfortable around dogs? Every 3-6 months, we conduct actual evaluations on dogs and their humans requesting certification through Pet Partners or Canine Good Citizen (CGC). We need volunteers to be “extras” during these evaluations that role-play with the testing team by following directions from the evaluator.

Dates Available: Year round

Shifts: 2-5 hours every 3-6 months; Lunch is provided

Time commitment: Low

Location: KARE Training and Activity Center

Training required: No specific training is required for this volunteer position. The testing team and evaluator will provide direct for each evaluation.

Transport Team

Do you have an available vehicle and extra time? At KARE, we take responsibility for ensuring that the animals in our care are provided any medical attention needed or supplies. We don’t expect our busy Foster parents to shuttle their foster residents around for appointments or meet-and-greets with potential adopters. Our Adoption Manager and Foster Coordinator need help with transporting around the Kitsap County area so they can focus on making sure our dogs find the best possible homes.

Dates Available: Year round

Shifts: Flexible but must be able to meet appointments coordinated with you by the Adoptions Manager or Foster Coordinator

Time commitment: Moderate

Location: Around Kitsap County, WA

Training required: Transport volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation/meeting with the Adoption Manager and Foster Coordinator to review polices and procedures and animal handling.

Marketing, Web and Graphics Team

Marketing Team members will report to Marketing Coordinator. Volunteers must have good writing skills, computer skills and have a working knowledge of digital photography, graphic design, basic html skills, and/or marketing trends. Duties may include: posting photos and descriptions of animals for adoption on the KARE website according to KARE policies and procedures; uploading information from home to KARE website and social media sites; producing video or print/digital graphics for marketing/promotional purposes; and maintaining KARE website and social media sites.

Dates Available: Year round

Shifts: Flexible

Time commitment: Moderate to high

Location: Your home and KARE Training and Activity Center

Training required: Volunteers supporting marketing, web or graphic design must attend a volunteer orientation/meeting with the Marketing Coordinator to review SOPs, polices and specific duties.

Behavior and Training Team

KARE Animal Behaviorists, Dog Trainers, and Training Assistants will report to the Training Coordinator and facilitate life-long placements and lower the relinquishment of pets through education and training of the community and KARE volunteers. Their goals are to enhance the lives of animals, primarily dogs, through training, behavior modification, and enrichment activities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

  • Use of positive reinforcement training methods is a must.
  • May include participation in assessment of animals, preparation of individual written training plans, and hands-on work with animals in the program.
  • Lead group training classes for the public offered through KARE.
  • Maintain ongoing behavior treatment programs for dogs in KARE Foster Care.
  • Work with the Training Coordinator on meeting the behavioral needs of the animals in KARE Foster Care.
  • Provide on-site counseling for potential adopters to help make successful placements.
  • Perform office work including filing, organizing, maintaining supplies, copying, scheduling, and database entry.
  • Maintain a high level of communication and work collaboratively with all personnel in a manner that is consistent with KARE Policy and Procedures.
  • Perform other duties, as assigned.

Dates Available: Year round

Shifts: Two or more hours during training days (typically Thursday-Sunday)

Time commitment: Moderate to high

Location: KARE Training and Activity Center

Training required: All volunteers of the Behavior and Training Team must attend an orientation/meeting with the Training Coordinator to review policies, SOPs and assign specific duties.