Youth volunteer opportunity guide 2014 Volunteer opportunity guide
A little about us!2
We save lives by connecting the most overlooked shelter dogs and cats with United States military members for mutual love, joy and companionship. 3
What makes us different Focus on the most overlooked dogs and cats, including adults and those with special needs. Open to service and veteran members of the United States military from all armed forces and any stage of their careers. Make pet adoption affordable by providing financial contributions for welcome home basics like pet food, and access to highquality discounted veterinary care.! Pets for Patriots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization!4
Our mission is a call to duty Rehome the most overlooked shelter dogs and cats with veterans by working with shelters/rescues around the country. Provide access to high quality affordable veterinary care for pets adopted through our program. Make life better for service members and their families: to/from deployment, leaving the military and retirement. Educate the public about shelter animals so that they may share our vision to end animal homelessness. Educate the military community and public about the benefits of adopting adult and other at-risk pets, as well as temporary pet care options for active duty military who may be deploying.!!5
We serve veterans from all armed forces, no matter when they served Inspire them to adopt an eligible dog or cat from our nonprofit shelter, rescue, humane society, SPCA and municipal animal control partners because we know dogs and cats make great friends! Financial support to help make pet ownership more affordable: $150 contribution from our Veterans Pet Food Bank program to help buy pet food and other important items when they bring home their newly adopted dog or cat. Ongoing discounted pet care from our partner veterinarians so that veterans can keep their new pet friends healthy and happy. Pet product discounts for veterans adopting through our program to help make pet ownership affordable. Military personnel, veterans and their families enjoy proven physical and emotional benefits of companion pets while saving lives of animals in need.!6
We save hard-to-adopt dogs and cats that most people overlook Some dogs and cats need extra help to find a loving home; that s where we come in. An eligible pet must meet ONE of the following criteria and be adopted through our approved shelter/rescue partners: Adult dog or cat: two years or older. Animal with special needs: dog or cat that is disabled or limited in its physical abilities due to injury, prior abuse, neglect or birth defect, or that has a medical condition that needs lifelong care, medication or treatment - regardless of age. Large dog: 40+ pounds at the time of adoption, regardless of age.! Give a shelter pet a second chance at life: Be A Pet s HeroTM!7
!8
About our youth volunteer opportunities We try to match our needs with what you do best and love most (we might not always have an opportunity that makes the match). You can do most of your projects yourself, but it s even more fun and you can have a bigger impact if you get other kids involved! If you re volunteering as part of a community service or school project, you must provide us with documents your program requires be signed at the end of your volunteerism with us. We want you to get credit for your good deeds. Most of all, we want to help you to help others, learn and have fun!!9
Give a little bit of home to homeless pets WHAT IT IS: Organize a collection drive in your neighborhood to collect wish list items to donate to our local shelter/rescue partner, or to a shelter in your community. Many items are easy to collect because everyone has them in their homes (e.g., gently used towels, blankets). Even if you don t live near a Pets for Patriots partner shelter, we ll help you find a shelter near you! This can be done by one person, but it s more fun with friends! QUALITIES WE SEEK: Must love pets; no exceptions! Organized. Outgoing and friendly. Comfortable asking neighbors, friends, family and classmates to help you achieve your goals.!10
Be a #pfpselfie campaign ambassador WHAT IT IS: Help the most overlooked homeless pets put their best paws forward to get adopted; take selfies of Pets for Patriots eligible dogs and cats at our locally participating shelters. Some of our shelter/rescue partners may have restrictions about youth volunteers on their premises. Depending upon your age, your parent or guardian may need to accompany you. If we have no shelter/rescue partners near you, we ll help you find shelters in your community. QUALITIES WE SEEK: Must love pets; no exceptions! Creative and fun personality. Photo and/or video skills. Able to work with others and respect on-site rules of our shelter/rescue partners.!11
Be an I heroes correspondent WHAT IT IS: Give thanks to the veterans who sacrifice for our freedoms. Design and write a thank you card or letter to a Pets for Patriots veteran. Pick which of our veterans you would like to thank, and we ll make sure your card is received! www.blog.petsforpatriots.org/category/stories QUALITIES WE SEEK: Must love veterans! Enjoy writing. Want to thank our nation s heroes for their service.!12
Ready to enlist? Email us with questions or to request a youth volunteer application: volunteer@petsforpatriots.org!13