Volunteer Application
Volunteers are the backbone of Pound Buddies and we need your help! As little as two or three hours a week of your time will make a huge difference in the lives of dogs in our care.
There are many ways to volunteer. Please consider becoming a “Buddy” to the dogs who need you.
Walking & Socialization Buddy―Share time with dogs at the shelter who can spend upwards of 20 hours each day in their kennel. Take them for a walk, pet or socialize them, teach them basic obedience through positive reinforcement, play ball with them in the yard or simply let them be with you. The time you give lessens the time they spend alone in their kennels and helps make them more adoptable. Requires some experience with dogs and a lot of patience.
Kennel Buddy―Help keep the dogs at the shelter clean and comfortable by cleaning kennels, feeding dogs, filling water dishes, washing dog bowls, doing laundry and helping to keep the shelter as clean and inviting as possible. A great way to get exercise and help the dogs at the same time.
Adoption Buddy—Help place dogs into loving adoptive homes. Act as an Adoption Counselor at the shelter or take adoptable dogs to weekly off-site “Adopt-a-Dog” Events in the community. A great way for outgoing people to complete the Pound Buddies mission of putting people and pets together. Requires some training in adoption procedures and assessing fit between pets and prospective adopters, as well as strong people skills.
Transportation Buddy—Transport dogs for medical or spay/neuter appointments, take dogs to special events or transport dogs to other Michigan shelters when Pound Buddies is at capacity (you will literally be saving lives by driving dogs to another shelter). Great for people who love to drive. Pound Buddies provides the vehicle for transport and/or gas money if you use your own vehicle.
Fundraising Buddy—Serve on the Pound Buddies fundraising committee to develop and execute activities to raise much needed funds. Great for creative, entrepreneurial types or those with strong social and/or networking skills.
Community Outreach Buddy—Serve as the “face” of Pound Buddies by going into the schools to speak to children about the care of animals and stopping animal neglect/abuse, speaking to interested community groups and acting as tour guide for groups such as Girl Scout troops coming to the shelter. Requires good presentation and public speaking skills and people who enjoy working with children and the general public.
Office Buddy—to answer phones, help with administrative duties, maintain records on dogs, etc.
Groom Buddy—to help get dogs groomed & cleaned for adoptions (some experience required).
You-Name-It Buddy—we can use help in so many areas. Even if you can’t come to the shelter, volunteer your particular skill or talent. Please let us know how you can help and we will gladly welcome it!
Our Volunteer Procedure
Please completely fill out, electronically “sign” and submit this online Volunteer Application. We will review your Application and our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you. New Pound Buddies volunteers attend a Shelter Orientation Tour and receive individual or small group training. After training, new volunteers are paired with a seasoned Shelter “mentor.”
Contact volunteer@poundbuddies.org or call the Shelter at (231) 724-6500 to speak to the Volunteer Coordinator. Please help—the dogs need you and the special talents you can bring.
