Volunteer

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.

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.

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.

Interested in giving back to your community? We are looking for volunteers to help with our Housing Outreach Pet Education program. This program works with Pacific Building in Port Orchard, Kitsap Rescue Mission, Pendleton Place and other organizations to provide behavior support and resources for members of our community and their pets who are facing housing instability. We need assistance in fundraising, coordination, planning, and more!

Dates Available: Year round

Shifts: Contact Dianne for more information. [email protected]

Time commitment: Flexible

Location: Around Kitsap County. 

Training required: Community Outreach Volunteers who wish to work in the field are required to attend our free training orientation. Additional training may be required.

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

Dates Available: Year round

Shifts: Flexible

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 the Training Coordinator which includes discussion on KARE key messages and programs along with specific needs for training videos.

Do you like acting? Are you comfortable around dogs? Every 3-6 months, we conduct 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 direction for each evaluation.

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 Team members will report to the 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.

KARE Lead Trainers and Trainer Interns 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 dogs in the program.
• Assist with and eventually lead group training classes for the public offered through KARE.
• 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

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.