Volunteer
at the ACSPCA
See
our Volunteers at work
As a 501 ( C ) 3 non-profit
organization it is important that we have a core of good volunteers
from the community. We always need help at ACSPCA. As with most non-profits,
volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Helping animals is
one of the most rewarding community service opportunities you can
find. Seeing the animals happiness is such a wonderful feeling. All
they need is a hug or pat on the head and you have made their day.
There are many ways you
can help, even if it’s only for a few hours a week. Most volunteers
work with the animals, walking and playing with the dogs, and grooming
and socializing the cats. This extra attention helps keep the animals
happier and enables them to maintain their ability to interact well
with people. As a result, they are better able to present themselves
when people come looking for a new pet to adopt.
Volunteers
John and Linda Grunza come by several times a week and play with all
of the dogs and walk them. They even brought two little swimming pools
for the dogs, the dogs love it. Well most of them. Socializing the
animals is a very important part of placing them in new homes.
We
have dedicated volunteers, such as Marian Davis, who has come here
once a week for four years. She socializes the cats, brushes them,
cleans litter pans etc. The cats love to see her come, and so do we.
It takes many people to
keep a shelter clean. The grounds, cages, kennels and clinic areas
are scrubbed every morning, and then there is the maintenance cleaning
during the day. There is always laundry to be done. The washers and
dryers are never quiet. Fold a few loads, wash a few loads, and you
can always play with a furry friend in between loads. Or help to wash
dishes. All of their food bowls, plates and water bowls are washed
by hand. It can be hard work, but what a difference you can make in
the life of a furry friend.
We currently have a
need for volunteers to help on a continuing basis with the following
tasks:
| Ways to help include: |
| • |
Walking the Dogs |
| • |
Socializing the Cats |
| • |
Helping with Clerical work |
| • |
Answering the phone |
| • |
Helping with Events |
| • |
Serving on committees |
| • |
Transporting Animals |
| • |
Bathing Animals |
| • |
Becoming a Member |
| • |
Educating Public about Spay/Neuter |
| • |
Taking Animal Issues into the Schools |
| • |
Special Projects of Interest |
| • |
Having a Yard or Bake Sale for the SPCA |
| • |
Having a Lemonade Stand for the SPCA |
Presently, we also need people willing to help with events.
If you are interested
in volunteering, please print and complete the Volunteer Application
and mail it to the ACSPCA or applications may be obtained at the Animal
Shelter, 11 Goldenville Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325, during regular
business hours: Monday 12:00-7:00, Tuesday (CLOSED), Wednesday 12:00-5:00,
Thursday 12:00-5:00, Friday 12:00-7:00, Saturday 11:00-4:00, Sunday
(CLOSED).
Volunteers must be at
least 16 years old, unless working with a parent. Volunteer opportunities
for anyone under the age of 16 are limited.
HORSE/LARGE ANIMAL VOLUNTEER
The Adams County SPCA provides shelter and care for lost, abandoned
and abused animals, investigates and prosecute cruelty offenders,
helps control animal overpopulation and educates the community about
spay/neuter programs, animal wellness and safety. In addition to the
shelters small animals (dogs, cats etc.) we also care for large animals
that have been seized.
All large animal volunteers have to be experienced in handling large
animals; we are not able to train unknowing people due to liability
concerns. A short orientation at the farm in which the animals will
be held will be required by all volunteers that will be assisting
with those particular animals. At this orientation you will be told
what is expected out of the volunteers, what to do when supplies are
needed, what to do if you spot trouble with any animal you are overseeing,
where to sign in at, where the schedule will be posted, and who to
call in an emergency. All large animal volunteers work under the guidance
of the Shelter Manager, or the senior staff member on duty. A member
of the shelter staff will always be available to assist you should
a question or concern arise.
All volunteers must be 18 years or older.
| Here is a list of some of the volunteer
opportunities: |
| • |
Taking pictures for our website |
| • |
Seizure of Animals and advertising |
| • |
Transporting of seized animals |
| • |
Horse Care (volunteer must have current vehicle insurance) |
| • |
Staffing an information table at community events |
If you are interested
in volunteering, please print and complete the Horse/Large Animal
Volunteer Application and mail it to the ACSPCA or applications may
be obtained at the Animal Shelter, 11 Goldenville Road, Gettysburg,
PA 17325, during regular business hours.
New Volunteer Orientation
As our volunteer numbers continue to grow, we will be holding new
volunteer orientations. Orientation meetings last approximately an
hour. You may contact Terri Shoul, Volunteer Coordinator at 717-334-8876
to become scheduled for a general orientation, or Lisa Conklin for
questions regarding volunteering opportunities at the Adams County
SPCA.
Foster Care
For animals who may need
a break from the shelter environment, foster care provides a comfortable
home setting that keeps them happy and healthy. Foster Parents are
volunteers who are willing to provide temporary, in-home care for
dogs, cats and their offspring. You provide the love, and we'll provide
the critters.
Generally speaking, kittens
and puppies need to be kept in a foster home until they are 8 weeks
old. Kittens need to meet a weight requirement of 1.7 lbs. Once the
age and weight requirements are met, the animals are returned to the
ACSPCA and put up for adoption to good homes.
Currently the ACSPCA has several foster families, but many more are
needed. Foster Care is a most rewarding and fulfilling program that
helps save the lives of animals that might not otherwise have a chance.
One
of our foster families are the Gebharts (Candy and Steve pictured
here). They have fostered the Gettysburg Battlefield puppies that
were found in a milk crate at the Battlefield by a Park Ranger at
just 4 days old. Their eyes weren't even open yet. This involved bottle
feeding the little ones every two hours for weeks. The whole family,
kids and all, took turns at the feedings and gave them lots of love.
All of the puppies were adopted to real good homes, in fact, the Gebharts
adopted two of them. These puppies were New Foundland mixes, so they
are not small dogs. They also fostered a pregnant Nikki (pictured
here after whelping) who delivered four healthy Sharpei Beagle mixes.
The cutest puppies you could ever see. Fostering of these animals
is so important for them to develop the social skills that they need,
and the Gebharts have proven this time and again.
Who Would Make a Good Foster Parent?
Anyone who loves animals and is willing to donate their time, providing
lots of tender love and care. Retirees, homemakers, people who work
at home or have flexible work schedules all would be good candidates
for this program.
What Are the Requirements?
In order to be a foster parent, you must be over 18 years of age,
and have an extra room in your home (so you can keep the foster animals
separate from your other pets). Your current pets must be up to date
on their shots and be spayed/neutered. In addition, you need approval
from all the adult members of your household.
After you have completed the orientation and training process, you
will interview with the Foster Care Coordinator or Director of Volunteer
Services. At that time, he/she will review the foster care application
with you and have you sign the Foster Care Agreement. You will then
decide what type of animal(s) you want to foster. You will have your
choice of Kittens, Puppies, Cats or Dogs. When the need for a foster
home arises, you will be contacted. At this time, you may pass or
accept.
What Costs Are Involved?
Your daily responsibilities are to provide a clean safe environment
for your fosterlings. Fostering animals does require paying for their
food and supplies. If your animal needs medication, the ACSPCA will
provide it.
Thank you for your interest in the Adams County SPCA and for caring
about the animals in your community. You can make a difference !
Our volunteer and foster
applications can be filled out on-line or printed out, completed,
and mailed to:
Adams County SPCA
11 Goldenville Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325
The following forms should be filled out and submitted to Volunteer
at the Adams County SPCA
Volunteer
form for MS Word
Volunteer
form for PDF Format
The following application is to volunteer to
work with the horses.
Volunteer
form for MS Word
Volunteer
form for PDF Format
