Voluunteering Opportunities

Volunteer Meeting
July 22nd

Volunteer meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month at King's Restaurant on Route 19 at 7:00 p.m. They discuss volunteering, fundraising, upcoming events, etc.at the meetings.
[ Read Meeting Followup ]

We truly need dedicated volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, mail or bring in your completed application and you will be contacted.

Download Volunteer Form

	New Volunteer Orientation
	To get started as a volunteer for the WAHS, please attend one of the upcoming Volunteer Orientations. These orientations take place at the shelter every 2nd and 4th Saturday at 11 AM (2nd Saturday of the month during Winter). No appointment necessary. These orientations provide a detailed overview of all volunteer activities and hands-on training necessary for specific tasks such as dog walking.		The schedule is as follows: August 9, 2008 August 23, 2008 September 13, 2008 September 27, 2008 October 11, 2008 October 25, 2008 November 8, 2008 December 13, 2008 January 10, 2009 February 14, 2009

ExpoMart a Huge Success as Reported by Sherry Shamonsky

"I just wanted to share with all of the off-site volunteers what an incredible 4 days we had at the Home Show at the Expo Mart.

We met a lot of kind, and friendly people who wanted to help our shelter. We raffled off a dog basket full of several hundred dollars worth of food, treats toys, a collar and leash. We also raffled off a cat basket worth over $200.00. Susan McIntyre donated 4 Pittsburgh Penguin tickets with parking included worth over $400.00.We raised over $1600.00!!

We talked so much that our mouths were like cotton! But the people we met were gracious and willing to help. Even Animal Friends, who had a booth across from us — came over and two of their employees donated $50.00 on the spot. They even gave me a car load of treats for the animals.!!!!!"

Special volunteers who made this event a huge success include Jet Miskis, Lauren Spagna, Karen Harper, Kim Winkowski, Molly Cummings, Susan Beil, Adaira and George Rufer, Aimee Ripper, Kathy Rickle and John, Judy Fedak, Susan McIntyre, Tammy Underwood, Cathy Nahay, Pat Sphar, Heather, Carolyn and Richard Novak, and Kelly Keane.

	Volunteer Inspired by Newsletter Article
			Volunteer Jeanne Tomanio received her WAHS newsletter and was moved to action after reading about appealing to local vets for expired medications for the animals at the shelter. She immediately contacted all the veterinarians within a 50-mile radius of her Oakmont home and was delighted by the generous response. She drove to each locale and has twice filled the hatchback of her car with a wide variety of meds, treatments and equipment for the dogs and cats at the Humane Society. Jeanne plans on checking back with all the donor vets on a regular basis to continue to collect and keep the supply line flowing.

	Can't Get the the Shelter to Log Volunteer Hours?
	Download a timesheet to track your volunteer hours. Mail them in or bring them in next time you get to the shelter.

We Need Dedicated Volunteers for the Following Tasks [click here for PDF]

	Shelter Activities	Cat Area	Major Fundraisers
	• Walking Dogs • Adoption Counseling: Helping the public choose a pet and follow up phone calls after the adoption. • Help with our semi-annual Rabies Clinics.	• Helping with adoptions • Grooming • Cleaning up after the cats	• Plan, organize, request donations and • Staff our fundraising events including: Cash Bash / Vegas Nite & Dances, Bingos, The Washington County Fair, etc.
	Pet Therapy	Poco Banks	Fostering Animals
	• Visitations with our pets to local nursing homes.	• Requesting donations in our yellow dog "Poco" banks. Placing and retrieving banks at various locations.	• Fostering, in your home, abused animals, new mothers and their litters or animals recovering from surgery.
	Vet Care Volunteers	Special Skills	Groomers
	• Professional active or retired veterinarians, vet techs and anyone with veterinary care experience.	• Licensed Electrician • Rough Carpenter • Grasscutters/Landscapers • General Handyman • Plumber • Hauler for aluminum cans • Fundraisers • Public Relations Person	• Volunteers who will bathe and groom, polish up and pamper dogs to make them more comfortable and attractive for adoption.

Dr. Al Sorensen: Remembering an Incredible Volunteer

Dr. Al Sorenson, a retired physician found his way to the shelter serendipitously and soon after claimed it as his second home. The sad eyes, anxious pacing, and intensely loud barking never put him off for a second. The tall, thin, doctor Al, leashed up dog after dog for some critical one-on-one time out on the walking trail every minute he could spare. When a large pit-bull mix surprised him with a sudden yank that flattened him and shattered his kneecap, he spent his recovery focusing attention on the puppies. His new regimen was letting all the puppies out for a romp while he cleaned their cages in the evenings after the shelter was closed. MORE

	Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age to work with any of the animals at WAHS. Volunteers who are between 18 and 21 years of age are permitted to work with the animals if they have a signed and notarized parental release form. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during volunteer activities.
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[Download Volunteer
Planning Guidelines]

Offsite Volunteers Needed:

See Events Page and please volunteer some time to help by contacting Sherri Shamonsky, 724-969-4055

"Time for Tails” at The Greater Canonsburg Library in North Strabane (need exact location)A child reads to the dog. Volunteers Needed for Thursday evenings from 6-8pm in April and May
Call Jeannie 724-225-9898.

Wish List of Needed Items:

· Quality dog and cat food, such as Purina One or Iams

· Puppy & Kitten Food

· Washable dog and cat toys

· Canned puppy, kitten, cat and adult dog food

· All meat pet treats

· Baby food for our sick cats and kittens (Gerber or Heinz #2 chicken and gravy)

· Shampoo for dogs, pups, cats & kittens

· Washing machines

· Red bricks for memorial walk

· Pens

· Plastic Bags

· Powdered kitten formula

· Heating pads

· Powdered puppy formula

· Regular clay cat litter

· Dog houses (our humane officer tries to help low income families that need better dog houses)

· Dog collars and leashes for walking the dogs

· Bleach, laundry detergent, dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper

· 39 gallon garbage bags, toilet bowl cleaners, mops

· Rolls or books of stamps

· HP15, & 78 ink cartridges

· Towels

· Small reply envelopes

· Copy paper, colored and white & card stock

· Electric Grooming Clippers, Dog & Cat nail clippers

· FrontLine Flea Products for our dogs and cats

· Neosporin, tweezers, Q-Tips, ear cleaning solution, 4x4 gauze pads

· Autoclave