Each year, FOTAS helps the Shelter care for over 7,000 lost, abandoned, and stray pets. Here are some examples of how you can make a difference in the lives of these animals.

dog walking

Volunteer to walk dogs that are waiting for a family to give them good home. Daily walks provide dogs with mental stimulation, socialization, exercise, training, and the opportunity to relieve themselves outside of the kennels. It is rewarding to see how enthusiastically the dogs respond to their walker companions and how calm and well behaved they are when perspective adopters come to visit.

 

cat care

Volunteer to spend time petting and grooming cats that are waiting to be adopted. Daily attention and tender loving care helps to keep cats friendly and relieves the stress from living in a cage. Cat volunteers help the cats look and feel better, which helps them get adopted.

 

education

Strike at the root of the animal-welfare and over-population problems in our area by educating our community. Your time and energy can help foster a sense of empathy for pets and other animals through classrooms activities, information booths, pet-adoption flyers, media outreach, and other programs.

 

special events

Lend a helping hand at fun community-outreach events such as the Puss 'n Boots Costume Ball and Silent Auction, the Jacksonville Mutt Strut, parades, fairs, and our annual Ashland and Medford dog washes. Check out our news page to find out more about upcoming events.

 

fundraising

Volunteer to help raise funds to support FOTAS' lifesaving programs and services. Volunteers help at fundraising events, help mail out our newsletter, write thank-you cards, participate in bake and craft sales, help coordinate holiday-themed pet photos, and much more.

 

office help

Some volunteer opportunities do not involve working hands-on with the animals. We always need volunteers with clerical, reception, and secretarial skills to assist with office duties, answering phones, and special projects.

animal adoptions

Help pets find new homes by answering potential adopters' questions at the Shelter and offsite adoption events. Adoption counseling can be one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities because you help potential adopters find a pet that matches their personality and lifestyle, thus ensuring the pet has a permanent, loving home.

 

and lots more!

There are many more ways you can help save homeless pets. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities, please contact our volunteer coordinator for an application (below).

how to become a volunteer

Step 1: Email your name, address, telephone number, and area of interest to FOTAS@mind.net; or, post mail to FOTAS, PO Box 92, Ashland, OR 97520; or, leave a message at 541.774.6646. Our volunteer coordinator will send you an application.

Step 2: After you have received and filled out the application, return it to us in the enclosed self-addressed envelope.

Step 3: When all application materials have been received, our volunteer coordinator will contact you to schedule an orientation and training session.