Volunteer with OC
There are two different ways for you to volunteer at Our Companions! One way allows for an in-depth experience with a specific program that requires a time commitment. Alternatively, we have many other needs that can offer a fulfilling, yet a more casual volunteer experience. Our volunteers are the reason we’re able to give the personal support to our community, but it certainly takes time and effort, therefore we want to make sure you choose a volunteer position that works for you!
If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, we have plenty of opportunities for you to help out! You can visit our beautiful Ashford Sanctuary and help it continue to stay beautiful by maintaining the grounds, tending to the gardens, and cleaning up the trails. You can also support our Community Cat Program by collecting canned and dry cat food. There is always a dire need for cat food in the winter season for our community cats to have consistent food when sources are scarce in the wild. We also accept gift cards or electronic gift cards to ensure we can provide food throughout the year when donations get low! Or you can also host your own supply drive with your school, work, or other local communities!
If you’re ready to truly immerse yourself in the animal rescue world and want to make a greater change in the lives of those around you, then we have many volunteer opportunities for you! We do ask that for these volunteer positions that you commit for at least a year since these programs are critical to the organization and involve plenty of education and training.
Specially-trained Canine College Volunteers provide the workforce for our positive reward-based training classes to the public. These classes address common behavior problems, and strengthen the bond between people and their canine companions. You’ll learn so much about dog behavior, while helping people and pets learn to trust and bond with each other!
Our Helpline Program is the center of all that we offer here at Our Companions. Check out the incredible impact we’ve made on our community through the Helpline Program by viewing our 2021 Helpline Program Statistics and 2022 Helpline Program Statistics! Volunteers respond to calls from the public and give advice on animal-related issues. Each opportunity requires volunteers to be comfortable speaking to clients, coaching through challenging situations and offering positive solutions- and we currently have two open positions! The Helpline Community Cat Counselor responds to inquiries about helping community cats in need. The Helpline Small Animal Placement Counselor responds to inquiries from caregivers/owners looking to find new homes for their small animals or birds.
Lastly, we have open volunteer opportunities at our Sanctuary in Ashford, CT! Our Feline Sanctuary Volunteers provide companionship and care to the Sanctuary cats through socializing, interactive play, caregiving and cleaning, grooming and cuddling. Our Canine Sanctuary Volunteer positions are currently full, but you can always check out our volunteer page on our website for any open positions in the future!
As you can see, there is quite a variety of ways to get involved with OC! We truly appreciate every person that has contributed to our mission with advocating for animals in need through our innovative community programs. For more information about all of these volunteer opportunities, their requirements, and how to apply, visit our volunteer page here!