VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Goathouse Refuge! A strong, reliable volunteer force plays a crucial role in our rescue organization... we hope you will join us in our commitment to caring for abandoned, abused, neglected and feral cats of all ages and breeds.

Please take a few moments to fill out the volunteer application, and make sure to hit "submit" when you're done. A volunteer coordinator will contact you to discuss your application and set up your in-house training. One training shift and completion of a volunteer liability waiver is required prior to volunteering. Individual health concerns or issues should be discussed with a physicial or health care provider in advance.

Every morning, from 9am to 12pm, 7 days a week, volunteers go out to the refuge and feed the 100+ cats. The cats are always so happy to see you! After feeding and securing the enclosed area, cats that are kept in cages at night are released for a full day of cage-free play in our 3-acre enclosure. While they are busy, the volunteers quietly go behind the scenes and clean each litter box. The bottom of each cage is swept and sanitized, and each sleeping pad is checked for cleanliness, changed if necessary. After all the cages are cleaned, the dishes are washed and sterilized and the floor is swept.

During the afternoon shift, 5pm to 6:30pm, 7 days a week, the kitties willingly return to the refuge after a full day, hungry and tired. They get wet food at night which is prepared with a special recipe. Some cats who have special diets will need to be returned to their cage for the night. Their boxes are cleaned again, and they are ready for a good night’s sleep. Dishes are done one last time and the laundry is collected. Job complete for another day.

Both shifts require the ability to climb a step stool, bend over and into cat cages, and lift at least 20 pounds. If you have a disability that prevents you from performing the above duties, please contact us to design a custom work plan

Besides the cats at the Goathouse Refuge, the volunteers are the most important entity. All the care, love, driving, minor medical treatments, laundry etc. having to do with the animals is done by the volunteers. Truly, the operation would be at a standstill without them. That being said, it is a tough job, which demands some time. Once the time is given, the paybacks are hundredfold. The cats are all wonderful creatures that thrive under the care of Siglinda and her volunteers.

This process is repeated every day, rain or shine, holiday or weekend, regardless of what else is going on in the universe. Many of the cats that come to the refuge are feral. Some become adoptable, others remain difficult to approach. However they all thrive at the refuge. The goal is for them to remain well cared until a permanent home can be found for them or in the case of the ferals, that they have a safe spot for their colony.

The cats are all healthy and happy. Another large part of what the volunteers do is socializing the cats. Kittens are easy to socialize. The more challenging job is working with junior or adult cats who have established nuisance behaviors. It is amazing to watch the animals slowly develop trust (if they didn’t have any), or become truly loving with humans when they had previously not had the inclination.

In the end it is therapy for all parties involved. The cats become wonderful pets and the volunteers have the opportunity to help creatures with no voice.