Welcome volunteers!

On this page we will provide updates, post upcoming events/trainings, and communicate notes of importance to our volunteer community.

VOLUNTEER DATABASE LOGIN:

ARLGP volunteers: login to our Volunteer Database to sign up for shifts, classes, and to update your contact information!

Volunteer database login here >

2021 VOLUNTEER AWARDS!

REMINDERS & UPDATES

Vacations, Holidays and Calling Out

Holiday Closures:  While we are always here caring for the animals, there are a few holidays that we close to the public. On these days, we expect that most volunteers will be out enjoying the holiday but will be posting a sign-up for any volunteers that would like to come in and assist. The next holidays coming up where we will be closed to the public are: Labor Day (September 6) and Thanksgiving (November  25).

Vacations:  Summer is here, and hopefully you will all have a chance to take some time for yourselves. Please email the volunteer coordinator at scote@arlgp.org if you plan to go away so that we can get your shift covered for you!

Calling Out:  If you know in advance that you will need to miss an upcoming shift, please email the Volunteer Coordinator at scote@arlgp.org, and we will try to find coverage for your shift if needed. If you need to call out the day of your shift, please call our back line at 856-2696 (after 8am) and let a staff member know. That way we can get a message to that department and let them know asap! The Volunteer Coordinator is not in the office on the weekends, so any emails sent regarding missing a shift will not be received until Monday.

Dress Code:

When volunteering, you are a representative of the ARLGP. Dress is casual, but suitable, appropriate clothing is required. When working with animals, clothing may get torn or stained, so please don’t wear anything you can’t live without. While various positions may have additional requirements, we ask that for health, safety, and public perception, volunteers observe the following general guidelines:

• Clothing must be clean, free from excessive tears, holes or rips, and allow for frequent bending, stooping and lifting
• No visible undergarments
• Appropriate footwear is required at all times. Shoes should be comfortable & closed-toed with a rubber sole. No high heels, sandals or flip-flops
• Please wear your nametag at all times
• Shorts must reach mid-thigh
• No inappropriate prints or graphics
• Dog walkers are encouraged to wear long pants to protect from scratches and ticks on the trails
• Please do not cut or alter your volunteer t-shirt when representing the ARLGP

Nametags: Please be sure to always wear your nametag during your volunteer shift. This helps us all to easily identify one another, and for the public to know who is a visitor vs. representative of the shelter.

Logging your hours: Please remember to sign in and out for your volunteer shift. Keeping track of how many volunteer hours we utilize is so helpful for us to understand the manpower behind keeping the shelter running smoothly.

Virtual Suggestion Box!

Have feedback, thoughts, creative ideas to share with our team? Submit a form on our Virtual Suggestion Box here! The Volunteer Coordinator will get back to you within a week to discuss your suggestions.

Resources and Training

Fear Free Shelters
Head over to the Fear Free Shelters site for free training on improving the emotional experiences of animals while they are in the shelter. There are four modules, and when all are completed, you will be awarded with a Fear Free Shelter Program Certificate of Completion. Each module takes about 5 hours to complete, so it is a big commitment, but a worthy one!

Everyone is on the Behavior Team course collection from the ASPCA
1. How to Communicate Shelter Animal Behavior Clearly: This 20-minute course will help you support the mental health of animals by sharing your observations of their behavior clearly.
2. How to Encourage Good Behavior in Shelter Dogs: This 20-minute course from the ASPCA Learning Lab will help you set shelter animals up for success by encouraging them to display desirable behaviors during the course of your regular work.

Canine Communication & Behavior Series
Check out this three-part webinar series from ASPCApro to build your skills interacting with dogs and identifying canine behaviors.

Animal Enrichment Best Practices
Another great webinar series from ASPCApro for those interested in behavioral health. See how enrichment gives animals more freedom from fear and stress, and to express normal behaviors.

Do you offer pet sitting or dog walking services?

Join our ARLGP Volunteer Facebook Group!

Engage with your fellow volunteers by sharing pictures, ideas and stories. Our mission is to facilitate a strong sense of community and inspire confidence in our volunteers in order to improve volunteer retention. Join the fun now!