Guide: Volunteering with RMFR
Thank you for choosing to volunteer with the Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue. We are glad you’re here!
The vital work we do would not be nearly as successful as it is without your contribution. If there’s
anything that you need that you don’t find within this document, please let us know. We want your time
as a volunteer to be rewarding for you and beneficial for the animals we seek to help.
RMFR’s Mission
RMFR is a no-kill organization dedicated to sheltering and caring for abandoned, abused and unwanted
cats and kittens to the best of our ability until permanent homes can be found and educating the
community on the proper care and humane treatment of animals to prevent neglect and abuse.
History of RMFR
Established in 1982, the Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue is a non-profit, no-kill cat shelter. RMFR
originally began in a garage, and then relocated to its present location where it has existed since
1995. RMFR staff and volunteers care for approximately 125 free roaming cats and kittens. RMFR
receives no government funding and is dependent upon donations from the community and the proceeds
from fundraising events. In total, we have six rooms of adoptable felines, a large outdoor yard for adult
cats, a small outdoor pen for the cats in the Shy Room, and John’s Room for our cats that have tested
positive for FIV and FeLV.
Information for Volunteers
During your time as a volunteer with RMFR, you may contact any members of the staff with
questions or concerns. You may also e-mail help.rmfr@gmail.com for any volunteer specific questions
you have.
The work we do is serious and requires a commitment from all concerned. Specifically:
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you should attend a volunteer orientation at some point
Please keep all commitments you make
We ask you do to volunteer a minimum of twenty hours a year
Behave appropriately when within the shelter
Keep your contact information with us updated for as long as you wish to be an active
volunteer – e-mail is the only way we reach out to you for volunteer opportunities!
Please sign in every time you come to volunteer!
Some Basics for Being in the Shelter
What to Wear at the Shelter
Closed-toed shoes, long pants and (weather permitting) long-sleeved shirts are helpful in keeping
you clean and scratch free at a shelter with animals of all temperaments. Don’t wear something you
won’t want to get dirty and or if covered in cat hair.
Hand Washing at the Shelter: Preventing the Spread of Disease
Washing hands helps us prevent the spread of disease.
In general, you should wash your hands upon reaching the shelter AND upon completion of your
time at the shelter.
At minimum, please sanitize your hands as you exit one room and enter another. There is
antibacterial hand sanitizer available in every room for your use.
It is especially important that you wash your hands before entering the FeLV/FIV room.
Remember the number one cause of disease spread is people, so help keep the cats healthy by
washing your hands!
Who to Report to In the Case of an Injury (You OR a Cat!)
If you notice that a cat is injured please notify a staff member immediately.
If you notice that a cat looks ill or is just not acting like itself please fill out a medical alert form.
These forms are located under the volunteer updates board. These are reviewed daily by the veterinary
technicians and appropriate medical treatment is started if the cat is ill. We count on your help to keep
our cats happy and healthy.
If you are scratched or bitten by a cat let the wound bleed freely and run warm/hot water over the
area. Bleeding flushes the wound and helps remove any bacteria from the wound reducing the chance of
infection. A staff member can provide you with some antibacterial scrub to clean out the wound.
If a cat bites you, please tend the wound then let a staff member know which cat bit you. State
law requires that these animals be quarantined and monitored for rabies. There is a chance of infection
with a cat bite and it is recommended that you seek medical attention.
Basic Animal Behavior
Always let a cat come to you; do not try to force an interaction. A happy sociable cat will approach
and stand to be petted or will rub up against you. Please do not try to interact with a cat that is hissing,
spitting or growling. These are all signs that a cat is on hyper-alert and doesn’t want to be disturbed.
Also be aware of a whipping tail or ears that are flat on the head-again, this cat needs to be lef
alone.
You will soon recognize the cats that enjoy being petted and the cats that enjoy being picked up
and cuddled. Our cats come in all shapes and sizes and all degrees of friendliness.
Your being here with them helps them develop a greater trust of people and helps make them
more adoptable. The time you spend with the cats increases their chance that they will find a lifelong
home!
Available Volunteer Roles at the Shelter
Adoption Counselor/Tour Guide
As an adoption counselor you will speak with potential adopters to help them find the perfect cat. You
will also help visitors get to know the shelter by giving tours. Once trained you may also assist staff
with checking adoption applications. We need most help with these duties on the weekends but any
availability you have is appreciated.
Front Office Greeter/Answering phones
You get to be the smiling face people see when they come into the shelter. The staff will guide you in
answering phone calls. You get to talk about cats and direct people to the shelter. This position also
involves talking with people who want to relinquish their cats.
Event Participant
Help out at special events such as pet expos, farmers market, and festivals. You will interact with the
public handing out fliers and answering questions about the shelter.
Fundraising
Work behind the scenes to raise money for the cats. This will mostly involve event planning but all
creative fundraising idea are welcome! We need outgoing personalities for these positions!
Grant Writing
Grants are a great way to raise money for the shelter. If you have training in grant writing or general
writing skills you can help us secure these funds. Grants will requires time, research, and attention to
detail.
Cat Socialization
Social interaction with all different types of people is integral to getting the cats adoption ready. Cats
also need play time with people to maintain a healthy weight and combat boredom. We also ask that
you clean litter boxes and do laundry to help keep the shelter clean!
TLC program
The TLC (Tender Loving Care) Program pairs volunteers with shy, depressed and/or frightened cats
and provides one-on-one socialization. Many cats are not comfortable in new environments as their
senses (seeing, hearing, smelling) are on high alert. Stress in a new environment can alter a cat's
personality and possibly even affect their health. Continuously playing, talking, offering treats, etc. to a
shy, depressed and/or frightened cat lets that cat know it has a friend; the cat will learn to trust, accept
shelter life and hopefully, find a new home.
Shelter maintenance/handy-work
Help out with hand work around the shelter. If you have any skills with carpentry, plumbing, electric,
or other types of maintenance please let us know. A list of projects is available in the front lobby.
Bingo
Bingo games provide a very large part of the shelter’s income. We need fast, efficient, and friendly
people to consistently help with games.
Board Member
As a board member you will take and active and consistent role in the shelter. The main goal of the
board is to provide fundraising and direction for the shelter. You will be expected to donate 10-20 hours
a month of your time and attend all shelter events. The board generally consists of a President, Vice
President, Treasurer, and Secretary and can have up to 12 members.
Foster
As a foster you will provide care to either cats or kittens that cannot be in the shelter. You can list your
preferences and do not have to take any cat or kitten that you are not comfortable with caring for.
Foster parents must be flexible, able to deal with change, and have reliable transportation. They must
keep in contact with the foster coordinator on a regular basis and be able to transport cats back to the
shelter as needed. If you are interested in fostering ask for a foster application from the staff.
Be A Shelter Advocate Every Day!
We encourage our volunteers to talk about the shelter at every opportunity! You never know
where the conversation might lead you. Most people love talking about animals so bring up the great
place that you give your time to: RMFR!
Some talking points you may use include:
1. None of our cats live in cages! You get to see their personalities and interact with them in a way
you similar to a home setting.
2. Our fabulous cat yard where cats climb trees and bask in the sun.
3. Out cats can stay at the shelter as long as they need until they find a home.
4. All cats are spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and dewormed. They are accessed for
dental disease and receive dental cleanings as needed in our on-site clinic.
Helping Right Now!
Also, if you want to help the shelter in more substantial way we invite our volunteers to
consider monetary donations. This can be accomplished through becoming a member, sponsoring a cat,
or sending in money to any of our fundraising drives. We depend on donations to keep the shelter
running and every dollar you give goes towards providing the cats with the best care possible.
Rules and Regulations
A. Volunteer Application. Individuals wishing to become a part of the Shelter's volunteer team are
asked to complete a Volunteer Application which is then submitted to the Volunteer Coordinator. The
Coordinator reviews all applications and adds the provided e-mail addresses to the mailing list.
B. Age Requirements. Volunteers aged 13 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or
guardian and must have a Parental Consent Form (Junior Volunteer Release Form) on file.
C. General Rules. As with shelter staff, volunteers are expected to follow certain rules of conduct and
behavior in order to provide a safe and productive work environment. These general rules are included
in the Volunteer Handbook and are reviewed during orientation.
1. Conduct. Volunteers are expected to dress appropriately for the particular activity or event.
Although euthanasia and medical treatments are discussed with volunteers, they should not
interfere with euthanasia or treatment decisions and/or procedures.
Volunteers are expected to do their work in a professional manner, to be constructive at all times
and should assist in any work they are asked to perform. They should refer visitors to Shelter
staff if questions are asked and the proper answer is not known.
Volunteers are to be under the direction of the staff or volunteer coordinator. Any
insubordination will not be tolerated and may result in immediate termination of the volunteer.
Volunteers are expected to treat all staff and other volunteers with respect at all times. Issues
between the staff and volunteers need to be brought to the attention of the Shelter Manager.
2. Adoption. Volunteers are required to go through the same adoption process as the general
public.
3. Time Commitment. Because Shelter staff workload can be dependent upon a volunteer's time
commitment, volunteers are expected to work according to the established shelter schedule.
There is a 20 hour yearly time commitment for volunteering with the RMFR.
4. Volunteer Log Sheet. Each volunteer signs the Volunteer Log Sheet for every visit to the
Shelter. The Log Sheet serves as the only form documenting the dates and times volunteers are
at the Shelter or assisting with special projects. Accurate records are needed to help the shelter
secure grants.
D. Termination. Like Shelter staff, volunteers can be terminated for a variety of reasons. Volunteers
will be verbally warned of any infractions. A meeting will be called with the volunteer for the purpose
of discussing the reason for termination. Should there be an extremely serious incident that would
warrant the volunteer leaving immediately, the staff on duty has the authority to direct the volunteer to
leave. The shelter staff will promptly notify the Shelter Manager and will prepare written
documentation about the incident.