Caring for and improving the lives of our pets often goes hand in hand with the challenge of finding and retaining volunteers. From volunteer shortages post-COVID-19 to the struggle of standing out in your community, the Maddie’s^® Pet Forum Attracting Volunteers thread can help you.

Earlier this year, Jim Wieszczyk from A Second Chance Animal Shelter sought guidance on attracting new volunteers. Jeff Okazaki from Humane Society of Jefferson County suggested reaching out to former volunteers to see why they stopped. “Volunteers also might not realize what caused them to be disengaged but aside from the folks who’s lives genuinely got too busy, it’s almost always either a lack of training, engagement, or communication,” he said. “If volunteers feel like they don’t know what to do, they feel like they’re failing, and don’t want to feel that way.  If they don’t feel appreciated they won’t stick around. And if they don’t know what’s going on, or feel like scheduling and other activities they’re involved in are disorganized, they get frustrated and leave.”

Low barriers to entry, such as low monthly hourly commitments and flexibility were also cited as ways to attract volunteers.

Check out the Maddie’s^® Pet Forum thread and discover new methods to help bring volunteers to you.