Volunteer

We need your talent, especially in these areas:

• Photography and videography
• Creative writing and graphic design (to make flyers)
• Social media postings
• Other skills such as lawn care and building maintenance, carpentry skills for repairs and to build feral cat houses
• Crafting: to make cat beds, cat toys etc.

Have a talent to volunteer? Contact us at [email protected].

There are so many items we need in our shelter on an ongoing basis. Collecting and donating is a great project for students. We always need:

• Cat food
• Cat litter
• Cat toys and cat scratchers
• Cat trees
• Newspapers
• Towels
• Small blankets
• Small dog/cat beds
• Materials and labor to build feral cat houses
• Straw to keep feral cats warmer through the winter
• Cleaning supplies (paper towels, dawn dish soap, garbage bags, bleach)
• Litter boxes and litter scoops

Interested in collecting and donating? Contact us at [email protected].

Foster parenting is a rewarding opportunity to care for an animal that isn’t quite ready for adoption.  It is an alternative for anyone who loves the companionship of animals but cannot make a long-term commitment.

Why would a cat need foster care?  The most common reasons include:

• Kittens who are too young for adoption
• Orphaned kittens in need of bottle feeding
• Pregnant cats or nursing litters that need a peaceful home to grow
• Cats  recovering from surgery , illness or injury who need a comfortable place to heal
• Cats or kittens that need more time socializing with people
• Senior pets or those with special needs that need a home to live out the rest of their days in peace and comfort

An animal in foster care is still owned by North Shore Animal League America.  When you take a foster animal for us you will be taking care of that animal and preparing it for adoption.  The length of foster time varies with the needs of the individual animal.  Some may only require a home for two weeks, while others may need a home for three months or more.  Some need constant care while others just need a loving environment.

The requirements of becoming a foster parent are:

• At least 21 years of age
• Must live within 35 miles of our Adirondack Region Cat Adoption Center in Glens Falls
• Having a dedicated space for the foster animal(s) for example an extra room or heated garage
• Opening up your home and providing food, shelter, time, dedication and TLC
• To be an adoption advocate for your foster cat(s)

North Shore Animal League America will cover all veterinary care, but this must be arranged by the assigned NSALA representative.  We can also assist with food, toys, crates, beds, litter pans and other items, if needed.

Interested in becoming a foster parent? Contact: [email protected]

What is Trap-Neuter-Return?

1. Trap: Humanely trap all of the cats in a colony (a group of cats living outdoors together).
2. Neuter: Take the cats in their traps to a veterinarian or clinic to be neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped (a universal symbol indicating they have been neutered).
3. Return: Return feral cats to their original outdoor home and seek new, loving homes for all “friendlies.”

What is a feral cat?

Feral cats, like pet cats, are domestic cats.  The difference is that feral cats have had little or no contact with humans, and so they are fearful of us and cannot be adopted. They do have a home—the outdoors.

Despite their wild nature and resourcefulness, cats are often unable to fend fully for themselves. They are subject to the dangers of weather, cars, humans and other animals. They breed indiscriminately, if left unaltered, and can be seen as a nuisance to the community. Our Trap-Neuter-Return program helps these feral cats and the community by ending reproduction, stabilizing the feral cat populations, and improving individual cats’ lives. The behaviors and stresses associated with mating— pregnancy, yowling, and fighting—stop.

How can you help?

1. Assist with trapping, transporting to veterinary appointments and returning of these cats back to their colony. (Training will be provided)
2. Help build outside shelters for cats.
3. Help care for a colony of cats by providing regular feeding and daily fresh water. Provide fresh straw in their cat shelters. Help keep snow levels from getting too high around the cat shelters in the winter time, observe and report any medical issues that arise.

Interested in becoming a TNR Program volunteer? Contact us at [email protected].

Help our cats on the road to finding responsible, loving homes by helping with the following tasks:

• Assist with the entire adoption process including helping a potential adopter find the right match
• Help staff keep cats and cat areas clean and comfortable
• Socialize and provide enrichment for our cats
• Assist with administrative duties, including phone calls, filing, and more
• Transport, set-up, and cat care at our offsite events
• Become an adoption ambassador to promote our mission, services, and our adoptable cats

Interested in becoming an adoption volunteer? Contact us at [email protected].