Volunteering at Blount County’s Animal Shelter
volunteer positions open now
The Animal Adoption Center of Blount County is current seeking volunteers for several positions. Click on each role for a description and how to apply:
Adults 55 and older are encouraged to volunteer through RSVP, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, a free resource offered by Positive Maturity's Americorps Senior Corps.
Foster Parent
Foster Parents may care for pregnant or nursing mamas, bottle babies, animals awaiting transport to rescue, or animals who need extra care while recovering from medical treatment. See this Blount Countian article to read about Samantha and Andrea's experience fostering bottle baby kittens and cats, and for more information about fostering.
Fostering is an ideal opportunity for those who would like to spend time with animals but aren’t able to adopt. The shelter provides food and supplies. You’ll offer a clean, safe environment for your fosters and the nurturing they need to thrive.
This position is open to Blount County residents at least 18 years old. Foster parents must maintain an open line of communication with Foster Program Coordinator Ashlynn Brown and the shelter staff. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, fill out the foster application at the shelter (or you may print it at home and return it to the shelter in person or via email to cadams@blountcountyal.gov).
Greeter
The Greeter is the welcoming face and voice of the shelter. A friendly, helpful person facilitates positive experiences for everyone who calls or visits the shelter. Responsibilities include:
- Greeting and guiding visitors
- Answering phone calls
- Returning messages
- Working with staff to answer questions
- Taking adoption day photos
- Providing informational materials
- Unfolding newspapers for use in the puppy room
Interaction with shelter animals is encouraged but not required. For example, if you feel comfortable with cats, shelter staff can show you how to safely take cats and kittens out of kennels so that visitors can hold them or play with them.
The ideal Greeter has related experience, such as in a receptionist or customer service role and can commit to one or two days per week at the shelter. This position is open to community members at least 18 years old; older adults can be an especially great fit. To apply, email cadams@blountcountyal.gov with an introduction to yourself, your experience, and why you are interested in this position.
pet description writer
Do you have a way with words? Would you enjoy meeting pets, learning about them from shelter staff and volunteers, and writing an attractive and informative description for potential adopters?
Pet descriptions can be written from home, on your schedule. You could even experiment with utilizing AI, like Rescue Writer or ChatGPT! If interested, you'll have the opportunity to expand from pet descriptions to other writing projects, such as adoption stories; bios of shelter staff, volunteers, and supporters; educational information; and other shelter communications.
This position is open to community members at least 18 years old; older adults can be an especially great fit. To apply, email cadams@blountcountyal.gov with an introduction to yourself and why you are interested in this position.
Cat or Dog Socializer
Socialization Volunteers give shelter cats and/or dogs plenty of attention and TLC! You can work with cats, dogs, or both. Socialization includes:
- gently petting, talking to, and playing with animals
- sitting quietly with cats or dogs
- reading to cats or dogs (a great way to involve kids!)
- taking dogs outside to the grass or on walks
Your time with shelter pets increases their chances of finding a good home and helps them stay healthy. For example, cats who are petted and talked to daily have a markedly lower incidence of upper respiratory infection, according to a study published by the NIH. Your care enriches everyone.
All ages are welcome. Children must be in the direct supervision of a parent or guardian, while 16 and 17 year-olds may volunteer on their own with the signature consent of a parent or guardian.
If you have questions, contact the shelter; otherwise simply come anytime during shelter hours, especially during weekdays when socialization is especially needed. You'll fill out the shelter's volunteer application upon arrival. Shelter pets and staff especially appreciate volunteers who can visit frequently and/or regularly.
journalist
There is endless opportunity for pro-bono animal-related journalism in Blount County and across the state. See the News page, top section, for a few examples.
You can choose to write informative news stories, engaging feature stories, investigative coverage such as on legal topics like legislation and cruelty, opinion pieces, heartfelt pieces about your personal experience, or try your hand at any approach that calls to you.
We will guide you on options of what you might cover, and you'll also be free to suggest topics. You'll have support on how to find the information for your article, how to get your work published in newspapers, and how to share on Facebook. Nearly all writing and research can be done from home on your own schedule.
This position is open to community members at least 18 years old; older adults can be an especially great fit. To apply, email kristin@pinemountain.info with an introduction to yourself and why you are interested in this position. Include a writing sample, if you'd like.