Volunteer Cat Socialization
Training
IF you are just starting the training process, please review the below information closely, then email Liz at volunteer@chicagopetrescue.org to let her know you are ready for in store training. Thank you for your support!
Please send Liz your signed WAIVER before you start volunteering or in store training.
Please send Liz your signed WAIVER before you start volunteering or in store training.
Chicago Pet Rescue Pet Socialization Guidelines
The following guidelines are also available as a PDF to view or download.
Your visit will give our animals what they need most; clean cage, people interaction and exercise.
Please don't forget to send Liz your signed WAIVER before you start volunteering or attend in store training.
We suggest you clean their cages first then socialize. Please plan to volunteer for 1-2 hours and coming later in the evening but at least 2 hours before closing so they will have a clean cage overnight.
Your visit will give our animals what they need most; clean cage, people interaction and exercise.
Please don't forget to send Liz your signed WAIVER before you start volunteering or attend in store training.
We suggest you clean their cages first then socialize. Please plan to volunteer for 1-2 hours and coming later in the evening but at least 2 hours before closing so they will have a clean cage overnight.
Petsmart Socialization Area –
Petco Socialization Area –
Pet Supplies Plus (PSP) Socialization Area –
- Ask Manager to unlock cat room/cages of CPR cats/pets ONLY. If you have to leave the room for any reason, be sure to lock all the cages and room.
Petco Socialization Area –
- Petco VETCO area: Vetco closes at 6pm. Vetco entrance has no door, so you need to use Divider-screen and Playpen set up to cover entrance. The Divider-screen should be on the outside and Playpen on the inside of the entrance area (to prevent any cat from crawling under the Divider-screen.
Pet Supplies Plus (PSP) Socialization Area –
- Ask Manager to provide cat carrier and unlock cat cage. Put cat in carrier, take to restroom,
and lock door. When finished, return cat to cage and return carrier & keys to manager.
Before coming to the store: check recent Facebook posts to make sure you are up to date on any recent issues.
To prevent shift issues we recommend the following actions:
To prevent shift issues we recommend the following actions:
- Set a reminder for your shifts at beginning of the month on your phone or personal calendar
- Be sure your phone is charged prior to going into the store or bring your charger into the store and charge while you are socializing
Each visit checklist:
(All supplies provided by store, so if anything is low or missing, please ask manager on duty).
Do NOT change their food unless authorized by Elena.
(All supplies provided by store, so if anything is low or missing, please ask manager on duty).
Do NOT change their food unless authorized by Elena.
- Clean litter boxes/scooper, clean food/water dishes, and disinfect each pet cage. NOTE: Keep litter/scooper supplies away from food supplies
- Add more litter to the litter boxes (replace all litter at end of the week) and Petco jug (if low)
- Give fresh water, replenish dry and wet food (Check instructions, do not change food unless authorized by Elena).
- Answer questions from customers. If someone is interested in adopting, they have questions about volunteering or general CPR questions, you can direct them to our website. If they can’t submit application via our website, there are applications (at Petsmart: in plastic drawer in rolling cart in cat room closet, at Petco: in cat condo/cabinet). If they are running low, at Petsmart: let the manager know they need to print more, or at Petco: post on Facebook or FB Messenger for us to print.
- Play, cuddle and love the kitties. Make sure each cat gets physical movement and attention. NOTE: No cat should be left to just hang out in cage/carrier; even shy/scared ones could use towel cuddling.
- Petco Only*
- Clean carrier after each cat and wait for it to dry before putting in new kitty. This way each cat doesn’t get upset at the smell of previous cat.
- Check for completed applications (in folder AND with manager. Email a picture of the application to followup@chicagopetrescue.org, then put your name/date on Applications and file in blue folder/cabinet.
- Post pictures/report any health or behavioral issues (so we can monitor or intervene) and progress via Facebook CPR Socialization page. Please post immediately following your visit that same night. It helps to know as much about the cat as possible. Knowing what they like or don’t like, can help us with matching them with the right adopter. We don’t want to adopt out an active cat with someone who wants a more laid-back cat or vice a versa.
Never allow a non-CPR volunteer or employee to handle or socialize the cats. Anyone interested in adopting needs to submit application and then we will set up a meet.
If you bring a friend/family member to help you, they MUST first sign & send the volunteer waiver before they can interact with the cats.
Do not attempt to clip nails on your own unless pre-approved by Elena. Please use good judgment when brushing the cats (some cats do not like to be brushed) or excessive petting (some get easily overstimulated, so look for signs before it’s too late).
If you would like additional training or have specific questions about how to handle a more challenging cat let us know.
If an emergency comes up while at pet store or you CAN’T make your shift, please post on Facebook CPR Socialization page to see if someone can cover for you, and text Elena 773-218-3252 AND Liz 312-291-6928.
If you bring a friend/family member to help you, they MUST first sign & send the volunteer waiver before they can interact with the cats.
Do not attempt to clip nails on your own unless pre-approved by Elena. Please use good judgment when brushing the cats (some cats do not like to be brushed) or excessive petting (some get easily overstimulated, so look for signs before it’s too late).
If you would like additional training or have specific questions about how to handle a more challenging cat let us know.
If an emergency comes up while at pet store or you CAN’T make your shift, please post on Facebook CPR Socialization page to see if someone can cover for you, and text Elena 773-218-3252 AND Liz 312-291-6928.
Petco socialization area closure set up in the VETCO area
Please watch the videos in numerical order!
|
|
|
|