Program Details & Frequently Asked Questions

Volunteer Position Descriptions:  

THANK YOU for your interest in Baypath’s Volunteer program!  Our volunteer positions accommodate a broad diversity of interests, skills and schedules.  We always appreciate volunteers who can commit to our scheduled shifts.  It provides consistency for the staff, and most importantly our wonderful animals.  

Scheduled Volunteers will require some additional training, making the experience more rewarding for both the Volunteer and for our animals. We also have many opportunities that provide schedule flexibility for the Volunteers, while still providing valuable help to the shelter and its 4-legged guests!   

Online Application Available!

Dog / Cat Care & Kennel Volunteer:  

This position will work with our Staff to help provide overall care of the animals. You will be paired directly with one of the staff to get up to speed on taking care of the needs of our animals.  It is a rewarding position which requires a scheduled commitment.  Please see the online application for the current shifts with which we need help.

Duties and responsibilities may include: 

• Walking / socializing the dogs and/or socializing our cats. 
• Cleaning and set up of the dog kennels and/or cat cages 
• Laundry and general cleaning. 
• Must be able to handle cats or dogs and cleaning supplies. 
• Opt to do one or more scheduled shifts per week (Or every other week); shifts can be 2 or 4 hours, with morning or afternoon shifts available. 

Shelter Office Volunteer: 

This Volunteer staff position will work with our Adoption Counselors and Office Volunteers to provide a wide array of valuable duties for the shelter. New Office Volunteers will be paired directly with one of our Adoption Counselors in order to learn several duties which are critical elements of Baypath’s day to day operations.  This is an excellent opportunity to become involved in several aspects of the shelter concurrently. 

For this position, we seek Volunteers who are able to make a scheduled commitment.  Duties and responsibilities may include: 

• Greeting guests as they enter the Shelter.
  
• Accepting and organizing donations from visitors.
  
• Assisting with light filing and/or data entry.
  
• Answering phones.
• Monitoring cat and kitten, dog and puppy rooms.
  
• Opt to do one or more shifts per week (Or every other week) during business hours; shifts are flexible.
• With experience, some of our Office Volunteers can assist in adoption counseling.

Foster Care Volunteer:

Our Foster Care Volunteers are so important to the dogs and cats.  We need Volunteers who can open their home to Baypath animals who may require special care (Health reasons), are too young (Kittens and puppies) or who may become too stressed to be in a shelter environment.  

It's an amazing gift to open your heart and your home to an animal until they can find their forever family.  We will contact you to discuss what if we have a dog or cat who may be a great fit, and go over the details of what is involved in giving these wonderful pets a short term respite.  We also have many current foster families who are happy to share their experiences with you! 

For more information on what foster families do, please click here. To read a testimonial on how rewarding Fostering can be, read our success stories.  

*Our foster care volunteers must be at least 21 years of age.

Dog & Cat Socialization Volunteer:

Being at the Shelter can be difficult for social animals.  They become stressed and long for as much human companionship as possible.  Volunteers who can spend time playing and just interacting with our dogs and cats are truly invaluable.  The consistency of a schedule is especially welcomed, however whenever our Socialization Volunteers can come and spend time with our animals, our canine and feline guests will be most appreciative!  We will contact you in order to attend an introductory Volunteer Orientation.

Dog Walking Volunteer: 

Help us  as we  take our dogs out for their much-loved walks and some fresh air!  Our dogs are generally walked between 8AM-10AM and 2PM-4:30PM daily, no matter what the weather. 

We ask Walking Volunteers to commit to a regular shift, which in turn allows our Staff with resource planning - this position also offers the flexibility for volunteers to assist as their weekly schedules allow.  Volunteers interested in walking dogs will be contacted to attend a Volunteer Orientation. 

Fundraising Events Volunteer: 

Our group of Event Volunteers assist with a variety of projects, events, and activities as needed and whenever their schedules allow. 

Throughout the year we host many fun, interactive events;  our event Volunteers are indispensable -- they help us to promote and to poster and/or assist at the events themselves.  Events include our annual Bark In The Park Dog Walk, our new Paws & Claws 5K Run/Walk, Spring and Fall Yard Sales, Pet Photos With Santa, as well as assorted raffles.

Once we know of an Event Volunteer's interest and availability, we will contact them as matching volunteer opportunities arise throughout the year.

Animal Transport Volunteer: 

We always need transport Volunteers who are willing to help us with our animal transports on an as-needed basis.  We will contact you to find out your availability as transportation needs present themselves.  Transporting may involve bringing/retrieving our dogs or cats to/from the Vet, picking up animals at other facilities or Shelter supply pick-ups.

 *Must have a car and valid MA driver’s license, and must be at least 18 years of age. 

General Shelter Cleaning & Laundry Volunteer: 

It's amazing how much laundry and cleaning are required to keep our small shelter clean and tidy!  We welcome Volunteers to lend a very valuable hand as their schedule allows -- we will always need your help in this area! Many current Volunteers incorporate some general cleaning/laundry help into their shelter visits, and it’s true what they say – many hands truly do make light(er) work.  We will contact you for a brief introductory Orientation soon after we receive your Volunteer Application.

Become a Baypath Board Member:

We are always looking to add committed Baypath Volunteers to our Board of Directors.  The Board is in charge of organizing and then managing fundraising events, making sure the shelter's policies are followed, and ensuring that Baypath's finances are managed as efficiently as possible.

We will give special consideration to Volunteers who have skills or backgrounds with non-profits, animal welfare, fundraising, grant-writing, have local ties with the business community and other backgrounds that can benefit Baypath’s mission.

Q & A: 

Q: How do I become a volunteer? 

A: After you complete our online application, our Volunteer Coordinator will review it and contact you to discuss upcoming opportunities within 1-2 weeks.  Depending on your interests and background we will then setup a time for you to come to the shelter for Orientation or to meet with your staff buddy.

Q: How old do I have to be to volunteer? 

A: Volunteers must be at least 17 years old in order to volunteer at Baypath independently.  Volunteers younger then 17 are welcomed, but must volunteer alongside a responsible adult Volunteer Partner. 

Q: How much of a commitment is required to volunteer at Baypath? 

A: We hope that after spending some time at the shelter and meeting the animals you will want to spend a long time with us! For scheduling and consistency we truly appreciate a commitment of at least 3 months.  We prefer that our Volunteers can be scheduled for shifts of 2 or 4 hours, but we have enough different volunteer positions to accommodate a wide variety of schedules. Please speak with the Volunteer Coordinator about potential volunteering options and their specific requirements. 

Q: My schedule is unpredictable. Can I still volunteer at Baypath? 

A: Absolutely!  While our preference is for those who have regular availability, we have several Volunteers who come in at varied schedules.  Whatever your availability might be, there is a Volunteer program to fit your schedule and interests. 

We can’t wait to work with you, and thank you again for your interest in Baypath and its loving animals!