Community TNR Volunteer
Volunteers play a crucial role in facilitating spay and neuter services, ensuring healthier cat populations and communities. This rewarding position offers hands-on training, flexible scheduling, and the opportunity to develop valuable skills in animal handling, community outreach, and humane trapping.
Work Location: Killeen, and other Central Texas cities where Snip & Tip operates.
Purpose of the Position: Volunteers support Snip & Tip by helping to facilitate spay and neuter for as many cats as possible in targeted areas.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
Planning and Trapping: Collaborate with our team and community members to identify trapping locations and schedules for feral and community cats.
Appointment Scheduling: Coordinate with Cody on available clinic appointments.
Feeding: Prepare and/or execute feeding schedules, perform feedings, and coordinate with community members for feedings. Assist with outreach about the “no feeding” policy.
Trap Setup: Assist with setting up traps through phone and home visits with community members.
Humane Trapping: Humanely trap targeted cats (training provided).
Transport: Use personal vehicles to transport trapped cats to veterinary clinics for spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, and ear-tipping.
Release: Return cats to their exact capture locations.
Communication: Update partner community caregivers about cat returns.
Reporting: Complete and submit data forms to the Snip & Tip Manager monthly for program tracking and reporting.
Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of trapped, transported, and released cats, including their health status and any medical treatments received.
Mentoring: Assist in mentoring and training new volunteers, sharing best practices and providing support during their initial activities.
Level of Difficulty:
Physical (3/5): Involves lifting, bending, and handling cats of various sizes and conditions.
Mental (3/5): Requires strong interpersonal communication skills, trap-setting knowledge, independent work, and good judgment.
Emotional (4/5): The work can be emotionally distressing due to encountering less-than-ideal situations for people and cats.
Expected Environmental Conditions: Majority of the work occurs outside; volunteers should dress appropriately for the weather. Volunteers may encounter busy roads, heavy traffic, and hazardous road conditions.
How Often Volunteers Work On-site: All volunteer work is off-site in target communities.
Orientation/Training:
General orientation and training on the program, approach, and philosophy.
Hands-on training specific to the role and city.
Introduction to neighborhood advocates and spay/neuter clinic staff.
Learning Opportunities:
Learn effective and safe TNR practices.
Develop or strengthen community outreach, networking, and communication skills.
Improve safe animal handling skills.
Gain insights into the community and geography of your city.
Position Start Date: Ongoing.
Initial Minimum Commitment: Four to ten hours per week for three months, depending on the city. Volunteers who can perform TNR one day per month will also be considered.
Tools/Equipment Provided (including Personal Protective Equipment):
Traps, disposable bowls, food for luring cats into traps, blankets, towels, and data forms.
Optional Tools/Equipment: Any specialty tools or personal equipment you prefer to work with.
Supervisor(s): Cody
Number of Concurrent Volunteer Openings: 4-5 individuals per city.
Restrictions:
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must wear a Snip & Tip t-shirt (provided at no cost) when representing the program.
Must have a reliable vehicle, driver’s license, automobile registration, and insurance.
Must have a clear driving record with no major moving violations.
Should have access to a computer and the ability to log into an online volunteer communication site for updates.
Must learn and follow all guidelines and policies of Snip & Tip and follow staff directions.
Must submit complete all training before being assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements for Volunteer Applicants:
Understand directions and maps with strong navigational skills in unfamiliar areas.
Communicate effectively with diverse individuals without judgment.
Be flexible and comfortable working in underserved communities.
Handle challenging questions or opposing viewpoints tactfully.
Work independently and as a team member, using good judgment.
Understand and accurately represent Snip & Tip’s policies and positions.
TNR experience is strongly preferred but not mandatory.
Spanish speakers are strongly preferred but not mandatory.