online volunteer orientation spca of central florida

Online Volunteer Orientation

SPCA of Central Florida

Our MissionTo promote responsible human behavior towards animals.

Our Vision To no longer be needed.

Objectives To introduce you to the volunteer opportunities at the SPCA

of Central Florida.

To educate you on the programs available to the public provided by the SPCA of Central Florida.

To provide you with information about animal care and pet overpopulation issues.

To give you more detailed information about sheltering animals at the SPCA of Central Florida

Instructions You will be given fact or fiction questions. Please answer

them to move on to the next page.

At the end of the program, if you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the online application. A volunteer manager will contact you after receiving and reviewing your application to provide you with the necessary instructions.

Please note it could take up to 1 week for a response after you have submitted your application.

About the SPCA of Central Florida

An “SPCA” is different from a “Humane Society.”

FICTIONFACT

The SPCA of Central Florida is not funded by the government.

FACT FICTION

People must live in Orange, Osceola or Seminole Counties to access the services and programs of the SPCA of Central Florida.

FACT FICTION

The SPCA of Central Florida does NOT pick up stray or lost animals.

FACT FICTION

The SPCA of Central Florida believes that adopting shelter pets to new homes is the best way to prevent pet overpopulation.

FACT FICTION

The SPCA of Central Florida has a time limit for how long pets will remain in our shelters.

FACT FICTION

The SPCA of Central Florida will never turn away people and their pets because the kennels are full.

FACT FICTION

The veterinarians who work for the SPCA of Central Florida are all volunteers who donate their services to the clinic.

FACT FICTION

SPCA Volunteers and SPCA Staff have totally different agendas, goals, and objectives.

FACT FICTION

Volunteers with the SPCA of Central Florida are expected to be in agreement with the agency’s Position Statements, found on our website www.orlandopets.org,

FACT FICTION

The services provided by the vet clinics of the SPCA of Central Florida are free or are only for people of limited means.

FACT FICTION

The only programs provided by the SPCA of Central Florida are animal sheltering and vet clinics.

FACT FICTION

About Pets

All pets adopted from the SPCA of Central Florida are tested, vaccinated, microchipped and “fixed” by SPCA staff before they go to their new homes.

FACT FICTION

Neutering is the term used for “fixing” dogs. Spaying is the term used for “fixing” cats.

FACT FICTIONAbout Pets

It is safe to spay/neuter (“fix”) pets at 8 weeks of age.

Declawing cats is safe and humane.

Heartworm disease is preventable.

Cats and dogs can get a “cold.”

Distemper disease in dogs is easily treated and is not a worry for dog owners.

About Volunteering

Volunteers with the SPCA of Central Florida only help take care of shelter pets.

FACT FICTION

There are no expectations for how long a shelter volunteer should plan to commit to their volunteer job.

FACT FICTIONAbout Volunteering

Shelter volunteers seldom have to help clean up after our pets.

Shelter volunteers usually have to interact with our customers.

Volunteers can bring their family members with them to help volunteer.

The SPCA of Central Florida does not accept as volunteers those who are ordered by the court to do community service.

Working as a volunteer with the SPCA of Central Florida is usually a very calm and quiet experience.

Volunteer OpportunitiesSPCA of Central Florida

Things to Consider Before you begin to explore the volunteer options available with the

SPCA of Central Florida, please take a moment and see if you agree or disagree with the following general statements.

I can make a minimum of a 6-month commitment to volunteering.

So that pets, people, and I will stay safe, I understand that I will have to go through special training before I can officially become a volunteer with the SPCA of Central Florida.

It’s important to always follow all the rules and procedures set by the SPCA of Central Florida for the care of people and pets even if I don’t always agree with them.

Things to Consider I will be sure to be informed about the SPCA of Central

Florida so I can be a good ambassador to members of our community.

It’s important to see SPCA staff as my partners in helping care for people and pets.

I am willing to pay for an SPCA volunteer t-shirt and name tag ($15), as well as pay for and complete a background check ($10) if required for the specific volunteer position.

Things to Consider I will be happy to regularly

communicate with the Volunteer Program Manager about my volunteer experience.

I understand the importance of confidentiality about agency operations, client and pet information before, during, and after my volunteer experience.

Things to Consider If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then

you are ready to look at the volunteer options available with the SPCA of Central Florida.

If this isn’t the right time for you to consider volunteering with the SPCA of Central Florida, we thank you for taking the time to consider our agency for your gift of time and talent.

We hope to see you supporting animal welfare in Central Florida by attending one of our many special fundraising events.

Take your Pick Option 1: Bark Buddy

Option 2: Kitty Cuddler

Option 3: Kennel Coach

Option 4: Hospital Helper

Option 5: Party Animal

Option 6: Office Wizard

Option 7: Foster Parent

Option 8: Pet Visitation Program

Option 9: Creature Teacher

Option 10: Pet Food XPRESS (PFX)

Option 11: Crafty Critters

SPCA Note of Importance for potential Bark Buddies: Learning how to handle dogs – and especially how to

handle large dogs – in a shelter environment is not an easy task.

It will require time for substantial training.

The less time you have spent handling dogs, the greater the need and time for training.

Please be sure you can allocate both the time and patience for this training.

SPCA Note of Importance for potential Bark Buddies: Your safety and the safety of our shelter dogs are of

paramount importance to the SPCA of Central Florida.

If you have never handled dogs, or your experience was very long ago, this may not be the right volunteer opportunity for you. You may want to consider reviewing and selecting another way to assist the agency and our shelter pets.

Option 1: Bark Buddy I don’t have dog allergies, or I am comfortable that the

allergy medication I take will handle any potential problems.

I enjoy talking to and helping people as much as I enjoy helping dogs.

I enjoy handling dogs of all sizes, ages, and breeds.

Even though I’ve handled dogs before, I know that working with shelter dogs will be different and will require more patience and energy.

I won’t mind getting a few doggie nips during my volunteer work.

Option 1: Bark Buddy I am agile enough to get in and out of dog kennels, while

handling dogs of all sizes.

I know that working with the dogs in a shelter can be a very noisy place.

I don’t mind getting dirty and going home smelling a bit like “dog,” and if my clothes are sometimes covered with “poopy paws,” that is okay.

I have recent experience in handling dogs of all sizes, ages, breeds and temperaments.

Option 1: Bark Buddy I’m OK working in the shelter with the dogs even when it’s

very hot or raining.

I have the strength to handle large, active dogs on my own, and I’m capable of handling the physical work necessary.

I can commit to volunteering 6-8 hours/month.

I know that not every dog I work with will have the happy ending of my choice, and I’ll do my best to support the shelter staff as they do their very hard work on behalf of the community and its pets.

Option 1: Bark Buddy If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then

we suggest you consider becoming a “Bark Buddy.” Just click here for the link to the Bark Buddy application.

If this volunteer position is not right for you, please take a look at the other volunteer options listed on this site.

Back to Volunteer Options

SPCA Note of Importance for potential Kitty Cuddlers: Learning how to handle cats – and especially how to

handle frightened cats – in a shelter environment is not an easy task.

It will require time for substantial training.

The less time you have spent handling cats, the greater the need and time for training.

Please be sure you can allocate both the time and patience for this training.

SPCA Note of Importance for potential Kitty Cuddlers: Your safety and the safety of our shelter cats are of

If you have never handled cats, or your experience was very long ago, this may not be the right volunteer opportunity for you. You may want to consider reviewing and selecting another way to assist the agency and our shelter pets.

Option 2: Kitty Cuddler I have recent experience in handling cats of all sizes,

ages, and temperaments.

Even though I’ve handled cats before, I know that working with frightened shelter cats will be different and will require more patience and energy.

I have the strength to handle large, active cats – and crazy little kittens – all with sharp claws - on my own, and I’m capable of handling the physical work necessary.

Option 2: Kitty Cuddler I don’t have cat allergies, or I am comfortable that the allergy

medication I take will handle any potential problems.

I enjoy talking to and helping people as much as I enjoy helping cats.

I enjoy handling cats of all sizes, ages and breeds.

I know that working with the cats in a shelter requires patience and very careful handling.

Option 2: Kitty Cuddler I won’t mind if I get a few cat scratches during my volunteer

I don’t mind cleaning litter pans, cleaning up gifts of “yuck” on the floor, having my clothes covered with lots of cat hair, and going home smelling a bit like “cat.”

I’m OK with the smells that are common even in the cleanest of pet shelters.

I can stretch up high and bend down low, and I can climb up on a step stool as needed.

Option 2: Kitty Cuddler I can commit to volunteering 6-

8 hours/month.

I know that not every cat I work with will have the happy ending of my choice, and I’ll do my best to support the shelter staff as they do their very hard work on behalf of the community and its pets.

Option 2: Kitty Cuddler If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then

we suggest you consider becoming a “Kitty Cuddler.” Just click here for the link to the Kitty Cuddler application.

SPCA Note of Importance for potential Kennel Coach: Your safety and the safety of our shelter pets are of

To qualify for this position, you must first be a bark buddy and have completed 3 months and accumulated a minimum of 20 hours within the 3 months.

In this position who are able to work with both dogs and cats; however, we will accept dog only applicants.

Option 3: Kennel Coach I don’t have dog or cat allergies, or I am comfortable that the

allergy medication I take will handle any potential problems.

I enjoy handling dogs and cats of all sizes, ages, and breeds.

Even though I’ve handled dogs and cats before, I know that working with shelter pets will be different and will require more patience and energy.

I have the strength to handle large, active dogs on my own, and I’m capable of handling the physical work necessary.

Option 3: Kennel Coach I don’t mind getting dirty and going home smelling a bit, and

if my clothes are sometimes covered with “poppy paws” and fur, that is okay.

I don’t mind getting a few doggie nips and kitty scratches during my volunteer work.

I have recent experience in handling dogs and cats of all sizes, ages, breeds, and temperaments.

Option 3: Kennel Coach I am agile enough to get in and out of dog kennels and cat

cages, while handling dogs and cats of all sizes.

I know that working in a shelter can be very noisy place.

I don’t mind getting dirty.

I am willing to follow the SPCA of Central Florida’s guidelines when working with dogs or cats. Even if I disagree with a method, I will comply with the SPCA of Central Florida’s guidelines and training procedures.

Option 3: Kennel Coach I can commit to volunteering 6-8 hours/month.

I know that not every animal I work with will have the happy ending of my choice, and I’ll do my best to support the shelter staff as they do their very hard work on behalf of the community and its pets.

Option 3: Kennel Coach If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then

we suggest you consider becoming a “Kennel Coach.” Just click here for the link to the Kennel Coach application.

Option 4: Hospital Helper To qualify for this position, you must first be a bark

buddy and have completed 3 months and accumulated a minimum of 20 hours within the 3 months.

I am comfortable around both dogs and cats and am not allergic to either, or I am comfortable that the allergy medication I take will handle any potential problems.

I’m OK around medical equipment and procedures.

I’m OK with the sights, sounds and smells of a vet clinic.

Option 4: Hospital Helper Seeing blood does not bother me, nor does seeing pets

undergoing and recovering from surgery.

I don’t mind getting dirty and going home a bit “smelly.”

I can stretch up high and bend down low, and I can climb up on a step stool as needed.

I know it’s important to work to my skills and interests, doing what needs to be done – from the simple (filing, cleaning cages, doing laundry) to the complex (wrapping surgical packs, helping to monitor pets in recovery).

Option 4: Hospital Helper I understand the importance of

accuracy. I am detail oriented and can follow directions well.

I enjoy being busy, even a little rushed, and don’t mind if things seem a bit chaotic.

I can commit to volunteering 6-8 hours/month.

Option 4: Hospital Helper If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then

we suggest you consider becoming a “Hospital Helper.” Just click here for the link to the Hospital Helper application.

Option 5: Party Animal I am outgoing and friendly, enjoy talking to lots of people –

even strangers - and like to help them have a good time.

I can be available to help with events at odd times (the weekend, early in the morning, etc.).

I know I am reliable and will be sure to “show up” on time on the day scheduled.

Option 5: Party Animal I know it’s important to work to my skills and interests, doing

what needs to be done – from the simple (distributing event materials, taking photographs, setting up and cleaning up) to the complex (selling tickets, soliciting donations, helping with registration).

I am detail oriented and can follow directions well.

I enjoy being busy, even a little rushed, and don’t mind if things seem a bit chaotic.

Option 5: Party Animal I can commit to helping with at least 1 special event a year.

If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then we suggest you consider becoming a “Party Animal.” Just click here for the link to the Party Animal volunteer application.

Option 6: Office Wizard I enjoy office tasks.

While I enjoy working with others, I also don’t mind if my tasks are just for me to handle by myself.

I understand the importance of accuracy. I can follow directions “to the letter”.

I know it’s important to work to my skills and interests, doing what needs to be done – from the simple (helping with mailings, photocopying, assembling event materials) to the complex (database entry).

Option 6: Office Wizard I’m OK talking to community members on the phone if I have

a ‘script” to work from.

I am reliable and will be sure to “show up” on time on the day scheduled.

I can be available during the week, during regular business hours.

Option 6: Office Wizard If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then

we suggest you consider becoming an “Office Wizard.” Just click here for the link to the Office Wizard volunteer application.

Option 7: Foster Parent I would like to help special needs shelter pets by having them

live temporarily in my own home.

I have a room at home where I can keep SPCA foster pets separate from my own pets as needed.

I will be able to give these special needs pets the time attention and/or training they require.

I know that I will only be able to care for SPCA shelter pets while I am serving as an SPCA foster parent.

Option 7: Foster Parent I understand that the SPCA clinics will provide medical care

for the foster pets at no cost to me. However, if I decide to take the foster pets to another veterinarian for medical care, I understand that I will have to pay for that myself.

I understand the SPCA will give me a “starter set” of necessary supplies when I take my foster pet home with me. When additional supplies are needed but aren’t available through the shelter, I’m OK assuming financial responsibility for purchasing those supplies.

Option 7: Foster Parent Even though I will miss them, when the foster care time is

completed, I’m OK returning the pets to the shelter when requested by the Shelter Operations Manager.

I know that not every pet I work with will have the happy ending of my choice, and I’ll do my best to support the shelter staff as they do their very hard work on behalf of the community and its pets.

I will be happy to regularly communicate with the Shelter Operations Manager about the pets in my foster care.

Option 7: Foster Parent If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then

we suggest you consider becoming a “Foster Parent.” Just click here for the link to the Foster Parent application.

Option 8: Pet Visitation Program (PVP) I am comfortable around both dogs and cats.

I have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.

I know I will have to obtain liability insurance through a national organization such as Therapy Dogs, Inc., Delta Society, or Therapy Dogs International in order to participate in this program.

My pet is at least 18 months old, is spayed/neutered, is up to date on all vaccinations, is in good health, and is well groomed.

Option 8: Pet Visitation Program (PVP) My dog has had basic obedience training (sit, stay, come,

heel on lead).

My pet is very “people friendly” and gets along with other animals, and is gentle with strangers.

My pet and I are comfortable in all kinds of settings: schools, hospitals, long term care facilities, special events, crowds, etc.

My pet and I are comfortable with people of all ages and backgrounds, including sick and/or disabled people, children and senior citizens.

Option 8: Pet Visitation Program (PVP) I understand that some sick

and elderly people have memory problems, and I’m OK reminding them who I am and why I’m visiting them.

I can commit to making 2 PVP visits per month to visit my designated sites.

Option 8: Pet Visitation Program (PVP) If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then

we suggest you consider becoming a “Pet Visitation Program” volunteer. Just click here for the link to the PVP volunteer application.

Option 9: Creature Teachers Teaching children and adults about responsible care for pets,

the environment and our agency is an important to bettering our community.

I am very positive, outgoing and enjoy meeting and talking to people of all ages.

I think education should be entertaining and fun as well as informative.

I’m not easily intimidated and can keep command of a group under most circumstances.

Option 9: Creature Teachers I am always prepared when working with groups, but I can

also be very flexible – because nothing ever goes the way it was planned.

I like to get everyone involved because talking “at” people is the least effective way for learning to occur.

I’m OK acting as a representative of the agency’s policies, etc. out in the community and can easily keep my personal opinions to myself.

I am aware that education programs for children are generally offered in the daytime.

Option 9: Creature Teachers I have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license. I am

aware that I will have to pay for and complete a background check ($10).

If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then we suggest you consider becoming a “Creature Teacher” volunteer. Just click here for the link to the Creature Teacher volunteer application.

If this volunteer position is not right for you, please take a look at the other volunteer options listed on this site

Option 10: Pet Food XPress (PFX) I have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.

I am comfortable around both dogs and cats.

I am a friendly person and am able to deal with people of all ages and backgrounds.

I am comfortable talking to and visiting with elderly people, even those that are living in difficult circumstances.

Option 10: Pet Food XPress (PFX) I am willing to visit my designated senior citizens in low

income areas of Orange County.

I understand that some elderly people have memory problems, and I’m OK reminding them who I am and why I’m visiting them.

I agree to visit my designated senior citizens once each month.

I agree to come to the SPCA once a month to pick up the pet food needed for delivery to my designated seniors.

Option 10: Pet Food XPress (PFX) I will be happy to regularly communicate with the PFX

Program Manager about my visits with my designated senior.

If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then we suggest you consider becoming a “Pet Food Xpress” volunteer. Just click here for the link to the PFX volunteer application.

Option 10: Pet Food XPress (PFX)

Please note: Volunteer positions for this program may not always be available. The positions are

dependent on the number of seniors enrolled in the program. Please contacct the volunteer manager to find out if volunteers are currently needed for this program. This program is only available in Orange

County.

Option 11: Crafty Critters Here’s a flexible, mostly-at-home, volunteer opportunity for

creative people. Do you like to sew, knit, crochet, or do other types of crafts? The pets need volunteers who can sew hiding curtains for cat cages, knit or crochet small comfy mats to cuddle up in their cages, or make homemade toys for the dogs and cats to play with. You can work at your own pace and on your own schedule. We will provide patterns/instructions, but ask that you provide your own materials and deliver your finished products to one of our two shelters.

Option 11: Crafty Critters If you can say “YES” to all of the previous statements, then

we suggest you consider becoming a “Crafty Critter” volunteer. Just click here for the link to the Crafty Critter volunteer application.

CongratulationsYou have completed your online volunteer

orientation.

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