DIRECT CARE VOLUNTEERS

    The applicant must be able to demonstrate:

    • Common sense
    • Awareness of safety factors
    • Reliability to complete assignments or arrange coverage if unable to complete the shift.
    • He/She must also agree to attend direct care meetings as a condition of being permitted this special consideration. 

    In the past, these individuals have demonstrated commitment to SPIN in other volunteer roles, or have been involved with animals in preparation for becoming a vet tech or veterinarian in the future. They are individuals who are mature for their age, assume responsibility, follow directions carefully, work well with adults and are cautious in handling animals.

    YOUNG VOLUNTEERS – UNDER 18

    Kids under age 18 can help SPIN in many ways. Always ask your parents or guardian if it is okay for you to become a SPIN volunteer or donor.  

    • Summer Student Volunteers
    • Alex collected supplies for SPIN and brought them to the SPIN microchip clinic!

    If you have any great ideas you want to share about raising money for SPIN, call us and let us know! 781-235-1218 Don’t forget to leave your name and telephone number (Always ask your parent or guardian if it’s okay to phone first!)

    OTHER WAYS TO HELP

    If you have a license, we occasionally need volunteers to drive our animals from the transition shelters to the vets or to the adoption center. We also need drivers who will pick up animals in the Senior for Senior program and bring them to the groomer or to the vet’s office.

    We need computer aficionados that can help our web pages sparkle, create links, edit copy, become stringers in their community, and design brochures for us.

    We need Eagle scouts to do special projects for us. Andy, a talented Eagle Scout, supervised the installation of new cages at our transitional sites and adoption center. He got his crew together, did the publicity, and made the project happen.

    We need students to organize bake sales, carwashes, dog washes, help with our annual yard sale, hand out flyers at community events, post events on community websites and notices at libraries and stores.

    Call 781-235-1218 to request a volunteer application or fill out our online form.

    KITTY TOYS TO MAKE

    Recycle – many items can be used for toys for the shelter cats 

    • A paper bag on the floor from them to run in and out of 
    • The plastic rings and tops of milk bottles 
    • The cardboard triangles used in packaging (instead of Styrofoam peanuts) 
    • Toilet paper roll to bat around.- make it more interesting Decorate it Cut slits around each end to give them a fringe Put a bell or cat nip inside and fold & tape the ends

    Simple toys to make for you cat or shelter cats

    1) Fishing pole – use a wooden dowel and attach a nylon cord or strip of fleece Use duct tape or Find plastic tubing from home supply store that just fits over the dowel. Cut tubing into 1 inch pieces and slide it over the cord or fleece and onto the dowel. Take a couple pieces of scrap fleece or other fabric, any shape but about 2″ round. Cut 2 slits side by side in the middle and use the loose end of the cord or fleece to weave through the slits and tie them secure. Now they cats have a neat toy on the end of the fishing pole to chase. The fleece strips can be left with or with out an item attached but the cording needs something interesting tied on the end for the cat to focus on and chase.

    2) Cat Nip Sock – a toddler size sock some cotton balls and some cat nip. Sprinkle cat nip on the cotton balls and stuff them in the sock, Tie the sock closed with a simple note. You can pick colorful socks to stuff, or decorate the sock with eyes and ears so it looks like a little critter for the cat to toss and catch and play with.

    3) Rattle toy – old spice size bottles You can decorate the out side and put a small item that will rattle or make noise at the cat rolls it around.

    What ideas do you have that we can add to our list?