Volunteering with Shelter From the Storm
We are always in need of dedicated volunteers to help with a number of different opportunities that we have available. Volunteer opportunities include helping at the shelter, our vet clinic, adoption events, various fundraisers throughout the year, and fostering. We are looking for volunteers who can make a commitment to volunteering at least once a month for 6 months and can commit to helping at three different fundraisers throughout the year.
Love animals and want to make a difference? You've come to the right place!
Volunteering at the Shelter
Shelter Address: 1602 Blossom Lane, Madison, WI 53716
Cats: We need people to sit in the cat room and socialize with cats. While there, you can pet, brush, hold, play, and talk with them for a while. We have found that when we have regular volunteers spending time with the cats, we see less upper respiratory infections!
Dogs: The dogs need someone to walk them (must be over 18), play frisbee or ball with them in the fenced yards, bathe them, groom them, pet them, and love them. They often need help learning basic commands or how to walk on a leash.
Housekeeping: Though we have regular staff doing routine housekeeping, there are always chores that need to be done such as scooping poop in the yards, washing dishes and litter boxes, or doing laundry. It is always helpful to have volunteers help us out with these jobs. In addition, we need volunteers to help with the things the staff do not have time for. These things include gardening, landscaping, washing windows, and other special projects or maintenance items such as raking leaves and shoveling snow.
Volunteering at the WI Community Vet Center
Clinic Address: 4475 Robertson Road, Madison, WI 53714
Volunteering at our clinic is a great way to learn about animal health care. You don't have to know a thing - we will train you! We are happy to have you for any amount of time you are able to provide. Volunteer opportunities include kennel cleaning, walking dogs, assisting in recovery, sterilizing surgical tools, answering phones, and general cleaning. If you're going to school for vet medicine, it's a great place to gain valuable experience.
Fundraising & Events
Fundraising is a major aspect of the rescue. It is what keeps us up and running. There are a number of fundraising opportunities and events throughout the year and we always need volunteers to help. We can use experienced and not-so-experienced people to help organize and run these events. With your help, they will be a success to raise more money to help our animals!
Fostering Opportunities
Being a foster parent is a very rewarding experience. You can take home an animal in need, whether it be a dog, cat, puppy, or kitten to love, socialize, and train until they find their forever home. Foster care provides a temporary home for the animal where they can live comfortably and learn how to be part of a family. Shelter from the Storm will help with food and supplies if necessary. We will also look to you for any input on the temperament of your foster pet and use your assistance for any applications received for your special pal. Your responsibilities will include providing food, water, shelter, lots of love, a ride to adoption meetings, and rides to the shelter once a month for vet checkups. Foster homes are essential to our rescue. Every new foster home allows us to rescue one more animal as it opens up a spot at the shelter. To apply to be a foster, click the button below or check out our foster page here.
Underage Volunteers
For volunteers under 16 years of age, we require a parent or guardian to be present until approval is given by management. All volunteers between the ages of 13 and 17 must complete a leash skills test before walking dogs.
If you have any questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@sftsrescue.org
Thank you for your interest in volunteering, we can't wait to have you join our mission!