Almost Home Cat Rescue is in need of grant writers to assist in the grant writing process to help fund our many programs.

We’re also in need of volunteer(s) for on-going grant availability research.

Responsibilities

• Have an understanding of the history, structure, objectives, programs, and financial needs of Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE

• The ability to draft various grant proposals as well as supporting documents based on the funding requirements for Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE

• Will have to respond to both internal and external queries on drafted and already submitted proposals.

• Be able to maintain and form positive relationships with fund providers and other stakeholders that support Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE

Qualifications

• Driven and proactive when it comes to seeking out new funding sources.

• When proposing ideas, they are comfortable making suggestions and looking into every possibility for obtaining funds for Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE

• Natural storyteller and be able to supplement their creativity with data-driven research.

The Medical Coordinator provides for the health care and well-being of Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE cats.

This position works under the guidance of the Medical Officer and in partnership with the Animal Care and Shelter Operations Teams.

The Medical Coordinator will provide accurate details about a cat’s health, medical needs, and care plan.

Main Duties/General Responsibilities

• Assists with and performs intake exams and preventative treatments prior to program placement; assists with follow-up exams, and appointments as needed.

• Performs day-to-day medical tasks for the shelter and kitties in foster care

• Properly doses, administers, tracks, and documents medications and vaccinations

• Assists with microchip insertion, blood and fecal testing, and any other procedures as requested by the Medical Officer or our veterinary partners

• Assists Medical Officer in determining the need for off-site veterinary care, referrals to vet specialists, and spay/neuter and other surgical procedures.

• Help manage microchip registration

• May also assist in the transport of cats, house calls, and other medical duties as needed

• Maintain accurate records and manage the shelter medical database, including creating surrender profiles, recording costs and payments and managing digital vaccination, testing and medical records.

• Other administrative and management duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Experience in a Veterinary / Companion Animal Medical environment – 6 months to one year preferred

• Experience with a non-profit volunteer group / animal rescue or shelter preferred

• Must have the ability to communicate directly and work with shelter staff when needed

• Must have the desire and ability to work directly with the public, and experience working within and across diverse teams

• Great verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent skills in organization and team coordination

• Attention to detail and the ability to absorb and recall large amounts of information.

• Understanding and commitment to the shelter’s No Kill model, as well as a personal love and respect for animals and their well-being

• General knowledge about kitten and cat care is preferred but will be taught as needed.

• Fear Free Shelter Certification, or plans to complete once on board. Compassionate cat handling skills are required.

Time commitment: 4-6 hours a week

Event Planning Team Members will assist with planning and executing various events in the community.

Team Member would work in partnership with other committee members as well the Committee Chair.

Responsibilities:

• Attend special events and do (but not limited to) the following: set up/tear down tables/merchandise, answer questions about the rescue, promote the rescue.

• Interact with the public to promote Almost Home Cat Rescue as well as inform the public of different opportunities within the organization

• Solicit for donations for large events such as OctoPURRfest

Qualifications:

• Excellent customer service and communication skills

• Friendly and positive attitude; ability to converse with and engage all types of people

• Reliable attendance and ability to work independently required

• Have the ability to understand, remember and follow instructions and procedures; and the ability to ask questions when appropriate

• Ability to stand, walk and work for long periods

Time commitment: 5-10 hours/month. Time commitment may be dependent on the month - summer are usually more busy than winter

Adoption Counselors assist in the introductions between shelter animals and potential adopters. The counselor will learn about adopters’ lifestyle, animal experience, and expectations of a new kitty to make an appropriate adoption match. The

Adoption counselor will provide accurate details about animals’ health, behavior, and care needs. They help adopters understand adoption policies, complete necessary paperwork, make payments, and transfer microchip accounts.

Main Duties/General Responsibilities:

• Guide the Adoption Applicants through Adoption process through initial screening, reference checks, Best Match with cats, and payments

• * Understand the general care and transition needed to bring home a new cat or kitten, and use behavioral resources for introductions and special needs where applicable

• Communicate with the foster families to hand off scheduling meet & greet sessions with approved adopters and kitties

• Complete digital payments (CC/Square, Zelle, PayPal, Venmo), and also process checks and cash for adoption fees

• Maintain accurate records and manage the adoption database, including creating Adopter profiles, recording payments and moving cats to Adopted status

• Register and transfer microchip information

• Other administrative and management duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Must have the desire and ability to work directly with the public

• experience working with people on diverse teams

• Experience with a non-profit volunteer group / animal rescue preferred

• Great verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent skills in organization and team coordination

• Attention to detail is crucial, and must be able to complete all paperwork accurately and in a timely manner

The Foster Officer builds and manages the Foster Family network.

Main Duties/General Responsibilities

• Build a strong and supportive relationship with foster parents with open communication.

• Encourage a long-term foster relationship with Almost Home Cat Rescue. Process Foster Family Applicants through an initial screening and reference checks as needed

• Assist with meet & greet sessions for approved adopters to visit kitties in foster families’ homes.

• Understand the general care and transition needed to bring a cat or kitten into a new home, and use the behavioral resources for introductions and special needs where applicable

• Main point of contact for Foster Families’ questions, concerns, and supply needs. Respond to all inquiries within 24 hours of receipt. Pass requests to appropriate team members as needed.

• Gain access to the shelter’s Amazon Business account to order supplies for Foster Families. If the supply request is medical (parasite treatment, lysine, other supplements, etc.) please have this request approved by the Medical Officer prior to ordering.

• Maintain the Foster Roster to have kitty status available to help plan spaces about to open so new intakes can be completed.

• Manage the Wait List derived from the online Surrender Form, and assign a priority status to each waitlisted kitty. Report the status of the Wait List to the Board of Directors on a regular basis

• Maintain accurate records and manage the foster database, including creating Foster Family profiles for new additions, moving cats in and out of Foster care, and deleting families as they exit our program.

• Ensure each Foster Family understands the health schedule that is set by the Medical Team. Send reminders to the families for upcoming appointments to keep each kitty’s care plan on track.

• Receive Shelter Manager training for data entry relating to foster information, and managing the calendar of appointments.

• Other administrative and management duties as assigned

Volunteer Coordinator(s) is responsible for daily supervision and management of the shelter’s volunteer program as well as recruiting, providing training and mentorship, and retention of volunteers.

The Volunteer Coordinator will work closely with Foster Coordinator to ensure all fosters and volunteers are managed effectively and cohesively.

Responsibilities

• Actively recruit volunteers through the use of the website, print media, community calendars, public speaking, attendance at community meetings and events, etc.

• Train, mentor, and serve as initial primary contact for all volunteers

• Train pertinent staff to train, mentor, and serve as primary contact for volunteers specific to their area

• Develop and maintain advanced or specialized volunteer programs and training to ensure continual growth of the volunteer program

Qualifications

• Customer service skills and the ability/desire to work directly with the public are necessary.

• Able to communicate directly and work with shelter staff when appropriate.

• Attention to detail and have the ability to absorb and recall large amounts of information.

• Must be able to stand/walk for the duration of the shift.

• Ability to assess whether or not a prospective volunteer is a fit for volunteering at the rescue and have clear rationale for that assessment.

The Marketing Director and their team will assist Almost Home Cat Rescue in promoting our mission.

The team will execute campaigns (including but not limited to in print, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok) to reach new volunteers, adopters, donors and supporters.

Responsibilities

• Execute a variety of marketing techniques in various mediums to carry out the marketing plan.

• In collaboration with the Leadership Team, will work on preparing marketing materials and copy consistent with overall organizational messaging and branding.

• Work with the Fundraising Team in the promotion of events.

Qualifications

• Possess strong attention to detail.

• Marketing experience preferred though not required if candidate possesses other leadership experience and has a strong drive/passion for marketing

• Strong copywriting and copy editing skills or graphic design skills

Sometimes transportation is needed to get cats to and from the vet, to or from foster homes, or other transports.

Transporting cats is a very important step in the process of finding them homes, so you will be helping us out immensely!

Responsibilities:

• This job is “on call”; transports happen whenever there is a need.

• Transports may include:

  • For the vet, typically the cat is dropped off in the am and picked up in the afternoon (volunteer can do both drop off and pick up or just one)

  • foster pick-up/deliveries could be at various times. The location would be the greater Milwaukee Area but with the possibility of traveling a bit further out (to the suburbs)

  • Transporting cats that are being transferred to Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE. This may include travelling to the rescue/shelter, picking up the cat(s) and transporting them to the rescue or meeting rescue/shelter staff at a pre-arranged meeting spot.

Qualifications:

• Possess a valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle, a clean driving record and current insurance coverage.

This area of volunteering can vary depending on the level of your crafting / sewing ability.

Whether you knit, crochet, or hand or machine sew, we’ve got something for you! We even have projects that don’t require any sewing!

Many things made are used for fundraising / selling to help the cats and shelter.

Some crafting ideas include:

• Cat toys

• Blankets / quilts

• cat beds

The socialization process for unsocialized, shy, fearful, or anxious cats takes patience, knowledge, and understanding.

When working with unsocialized, shy, fearful, stressed, or anxious cats, it is important to recognize that each case is unique. Every kitty has different personality traits and experiences that influence their behavior, and their current circumstances also play a part in how they react to people and their environment.

Socialization Sponsors should allow the cat to guide the process at their own pace. Sometimes it takes a month, sometimes six months depending on the age and temperament of the cat. Because each cat is a unique case, results and timing will vary.

You will have a good understanding of their needs and temperament, and be able to offer them environmental and emotional enrichment to ease their fear or anxiety, and remove stressors.

Requirements:

• Have general knowledge of cat behavior and be able to read body language and vocalizations to help guide your interactions in a compassionate way that builds trust.

• Prepare the kitty’s space with enrichment items and create a base camp where they feel safe and secure.

• Gather tools like gloves, wands, backscratchers, and toys to slowly guide the initial interactions.

• Create routine for the kitty to make them less fearful of the unknown.