Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter. Volunteers are critical to the work we do; we absolutely could not care for the number of cats we do without these dedicated individuals!

Volunteering at the Hermitage happens in recurring shifts that are each a couple hours long, with some opportunities to volunteer on an as-needed basis also available. Approved volunteers will attend orientation, where they will work together with the volunteer coordinator to identify a task they are interested in. After orientation, volunteers will be trained in their chosen task and return weekly or as needed to complete it.

All applicants are subject to approval following a background check. We do not accept volunteers younger than 13, and volunteers 13 to 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We allow community service hours to be completed at the Hermitage for nonviolent misdemeanor offenses only.

If you are interested in becoming a Hermitage volunteer, please complete the volunteer application. There is a $5.00 orientation fee to cover administrative costs. Once your application is approved, we'll send you an email with information about the orientation class and how to pay the fee.

If you have any questions, please contact our volunteer coordinator via email or call (520) 571-7839.

DID YOU KNOW? Thousands of companies offer generous volunteer grant programs for their employees. Volunteer grants are a specific type of corporate giving program that supplies monetary grants to organizations where employees volunteer. Utilizing these grants expands your impact as a volunteer. Please ask at YOUR business if they have any volunteer matching opportunities. FUN FACT: 80% of companies with volunteer grant programs offer between $8-$15 per hour volunteered with a nonprofit.

Are you a member of a group or company that wants to volunteer together? Volunteering together increases team togetherness, respect and trust. AND the knowledge you and your team made a difference in the lives of at-risk cats is priceless. Contact our volunteer coordinator to arrange a special project just for your team!

Urgent Need!

Kennel Sanitation: 7-11 AM, Mon-Fri AND Litter Box Disinfection: 8-11 AM, W/F/Sat/Sun

Volunteer Roles & Descriptions:

Morning Shifts

Litter Box Sanitation, from 8 AM - 11 AM, an outdoor task that includes washing soiled litter boxes in a sink, dipping washed litter boxes in disinfectant, setting them out to dry, and storing them.
Kennel Sanitation, from 7 AM - 11 AM, includes transferring cats from kennels into carriers, sanitizing the inside of the kennel, replacing all dishes and linen, and sweeping and mopping your area. Must be able to handle cats, bend, squat, scrub, and climb a stepladder.
AM Feeding/Watering, from 7 AM - 10 AM, includes serving wet and dry food to the shelter cats, refilling cat water stations throughout the shelter, and spot cleaning. Must be able to bend, squat, and carry up to 10 lbs.
AM Operational Support, from 8 AM - 11 AM, includes restocking, dishwashing, sweeping, and mopping in our medical ward. Must be able to bend, squat, and scrub.
AM Utility, from 7 AM - 11 AM, includes washing and storing laundry, washing and storing dishes, and storing utility items in sheds. Must be able to bend, squat, scrub, and carry up to 10 lbs.
Water Fountain Maintenance, on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 AM - 12 PM, includes cleaning and refilling the cat water fountains and a monthly vinegar rinse and replacement of the filters. Must be comfortable working with water and able to bend, squat, and lift 10 lbs.

Midday Shifts

Midday Medical Feeding, from 11:30 AM - 1 PM, includes serving and feeding the cats fed at noon, and washing dishes. Must be able to bend, squat, scrub.
Midday Utility, from 11 AM - 2 PM, includes washing, drying, folding, and storing laundry, washing and storing dishes, and storing washed items in the drying yard. Must be able to bend, squat, scrub, and carry up to 10 lbs.
PM Medical Feeding/Operational Support, from 1:30 PM - 4 PM, includes feeding cats that are fed individually, washing dishes, and kennel sanitation as needed. Must be able to bend, squat, scrub, and carry up to 10 lbs.
PM Feeding, from 1:30 PM - 3 PM, includes serving wet food, distributing it throughout the shelter, and rinsing the cat food cans for recycling. Must be able to bend, squat, scrub, and carry up to 15 lbs.

Afternoon Shifts

PM Utility, from 2 PM - 5 PM, includes washing and storing laundry, washing and storing dishes, and storing washed utility items. Must be able to bend, squat, scrub, and carry up to 10 lbs.
PM Scooping, from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM, includes scooping litter boxes throughout the shelter, discarding litter in the dumpster, and sanitizing scooping equipment. Must be able to bend, squat, and lift 10 lbs.

Auxiliary Shifts

Administrative Assistance, includes assisting staff with tasks associated with the daily operation.
Aluminum Can Processing, includes cleaning and sorting donated aluminum cans to be recycled.
Events and Community Outreach, includes assisting the events team with setting up, tabling, and cleaning up during onsite or offsite events. This volunteer may also direct visitors to the shelter.
Pet Pantry, includes sorting and organizing donated goods to the pantry, bagging food for distribution, transporting donations from stores and businesses, and other activities related to the operation of the pantry. These are tasks with frequent standing, bending, stooping, and lifting.
General Cleaning, includes washing and disinfecting the walls, windows, floors and furniture of a room or catio, and replacing any soiled linens and toys. Must be able to handle cats, bend, squat, scrub, use a stepladder, and lift up to 10 lbs.
Spot Cleaning, includes cleaning and disinfecting various surfaces in the shelter on a smaller scale. This is a light cleaning activity, perfect for volunteers with limited time or who have difficulty with prolonged stooping and bending.
Transportation, includes transporting, picking up, or delivering donations, processed aluminum cans, or shelter cats.