Endless Ways to Impact Colorado’s Animals: Volunteering 101 with MaxFund   

If you’ve been wanting to get involved in animal welfare but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. There are so many ways to volunteer and make a direct impact on the lives of Colorado’s needy, injured, and abandoned animals. In this blog, we’ll uncover the variety of ways you can use your skills towards the MaxFund mission, the benefits of volunteering on both humans and animals, and how to get involved with the MaxFund volunteer program today! 
 

Being a MaxFund Volunteer Looks Different for Everyone 

Whether you’re a dog or cat person, crafty or active, introverted or extroverted, there are so many ways you can use your unique skillset to benefit the lives of MaxFund residents. Let’s first discuss what the typical volunteer opportunity with MaxFund looks like. 
 

The Most Popular Avenue to Volunteering: Enrichment and Play 

One of the most popular and needed types of volunteers is the playful kind. This type of volunteer is on-site at MaxFund in either the Dog or Cat Shelter, providing adoptable animals with further enrichment outside of what is already provided by the kennel professionals. Whether that’s through standard play techniques, walks, or cuddle time, any and all efforts to enrich the lives of our residents helps to prepare them for their departure to spend the rest of their lives with their true companion. But, while this may be the most popular and necessary avenue, it is not the only beneficial volunteer opportunity we’re happy to accept. 
 

Unique Ways to Volunteer: Long-term Opportunities 

After you’ve spent time familiarizing yourself with MaxFund’s programs, animals, and values, it’s possible to get involved in other ways. Take, for example, Kennel Tech and Volunteer Laura Baker’s experience hiking with some of our resident adoptable dogs: 

“Have you ever thought about taking one of our dogs out for a field trip? I’m a kennel tech at the dog shelter and I LOVE picking dogs who I think might especially enjoy a trip to the mountains for a hike, which I did today with Sparky! 

If you’ve logged 50 or more hours volunteering with us at the dog shelter, I highly encourage you to pick a dog and take them out for an excursion! Be thoughtful about choosing a dog you know well and pick an activity that they will be happy doing. You will fill out a quick form detailing where you’re going and what time you’ll return, then get a few quick sign-offs from management and a vet tech before you can be on your way! 

I mean….look how much joy it can bring them to get out and see the world beyond MaxFund! Sparky and I had a ton of fun and we got to practice some good manners, too! He’s such a smarty pants and just the BEST boy!” 

Outside of a great Colorado expedition, many of our other long-term volunteers provide expert services as a way to bring further awareness to our mission and the animals it serves. Some of our current volunteers offer services like photography for adoption profiles, writing for our newsletter, making blankets for our animals to relax with, some even going as far as aiding in the transfer of animals to escape euthanasia or worse conditions. 
 

Other Ways to Get Involved: Group Volunteering  

Grab your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and organize your next get together as a day of service at MaxFund. Help us with many needed projects across our campus and make a maximum impact as a way to bond with your crew! Options for corporate groups available, contact Volunteer Program Manager Carrie for more information. 
 

What it Takes to Become a MaxFund Volunteer 

Volunteering at MaxFund is such an engaging opportunity not only for humans, but also for the animals here. To volunteer with MaxFund, we require certain qualifications of our applicants. First, the minimum age and hourly commitment. To volunteer at the cat shelter, you must be at least 9 years old, and volunteers from 9-15 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also required to go through the volunteer application process. Additionally, in order to remain an active volunteer for MaxFund, we ask that individuals commit to a minimum of 4 hours a month for 6 months. Now, let’s talk about the application process. 
 

 How to Apply to Volunteer with MaxFund 

Applying to be a MaxFund Volunteer is easy! Simply fill out this form. After completing the form and passing a background check for safety purposes, new volunteers will take a 2.5 hour long orientation session with a mentor. This training contains necessary information about MaxFund’s operations, pet handling, safety, and protocols that are vital to your success as a volunteer here. Then, you’re ready to begin your journey as a MaxFund volunteer!
 

An Animal Lover’s Favorite Pass time: Volunteerism 

Volunteering with MaxFund is the perfect way to further your commitment to animal welfare and the No Kill mission. To get started, visit our Volunteer Page!