Volunteer
OAR thrives on the support of our amazing volunteers!
Interested in Volunteering?
NOTE
We are currently only onboarding new volunteers that can make a consistent commitment.
Check out the descriptions of our current volunteer openings below:
Complete sign up link and our Volunteer Manager will contact you about scheduling your new volunteer orientation.
Volunteer Opportunity Openings:
🧽Playpen Specialist
Help keep things clean and cozy for the cats!
Kitten season lasts well beyond spring — often through December! Kittens and adult cats who prefer solitude thrive in playpens instead of group cat rooms. Once a playpen is vacated after a cat or kitten is adopted, it’s disinfected and reset for new residents. Because many adoptions happen over the weekend, Playpen Specialists help prepare the Adoption Center on Mondays for cats and kittens returning from foster. This role ensures every cat has a clean, comfortable space to settle in and begin their journey toward a loving home.
🗓 Shifts available: Weekly, Mondays 3–5pm
⏱ Commitment: 2 hours every Monday
You would be a great fit if you are:
✅ Enjoy cleaning and disinfecting playpens using dish soap and light scrubbing
✅ Can wheel playpens outside or to the Intake Area for disinfection
✅ Follow multistep directions and complete protocols independently
✅ Comfortable bending and doing light physical activity
🪤TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) Specialists
Help us save lives and support community cats!
Our TNR Specialists play a critical role in humanely managing community cat populations. You will help trap and transport cats for spay/neuter services within OAR’s targeted zip codes—directly improving the lives of cats and reducing overpopulation.
Current neighborhood focus: Norwood
🗓 Shifts available: 1–2 Sunday mornings per month
⏱ Commitment: 2–4 hours per volunteer shift
You would be a great fit if you are:
✅ Compassionate and committed to the humane treatment of animals
✅ Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions
✅ Able to follow detailed trapping and handling instructions
✅ In possession of reliable transportation
✅ Able to lift up to 25 lbs, and bend, stoop, or kneel for extended periods.
✅ 18+
No prior experience needed—training provided!
A typical volunteer shift includes the following:
- Set and monitor humane traps for community cats
- Transport trapped cats to OAR’s Spay/Neuter Clinic
- Record key trapping details (location, description)
- Share TNR and community cat care information with the public when appropriate
Join our team and be part of the solution for community cats—one trap at a time!
We welcome volunteers 16+ years to join our volunteer team!
