Letter from the President

Happy New Year, Volunteers!

Have you been thinking about your New Year's Resolutions? Is one of your resolutions to give back to your community or to better yourself? If so, I'm happy to hear that.

As the new President of SMAWL, one of my goals for SMAWL is to lighten the load of the Board Members and to increase our active Volunteer Team. Are you aware that EVERY position within SMAWL, including our Board Members, is filled by Volunteers? This means that every penny donated to SMAWL goes to the animals.

If you're looking for a way to fulfill your resolution, please consider making a commitment to the animals now. Whether you choose to commit to one of the positions below or commit to attending one adoption event or rabies clinic per month or per quarter, PLEASE commit now. The animals count on you and, in fact, their future just may depend on you!

Let's make 2008 the best ever for the homeless animals in our county! Together we can do it, but we need a larger Volunteer Team to make it happen.

Whatever your specialty, there's a place for you on the St. Mary's Animal Welfare League (SMAWL) team! Here are just a few of the opportunities through which you can apply your skills and make a difference:

Moving New Cats Into PETCO/Making Identification Signs - Coordinating a time with the foster parents to meet them at Petco and move the new cat/kitten into the condos, using the label maker to make a new sign identifying the cat/kitten.

PETCO Scheduling - Sometimes will need to be updated 3-4 times a week, in the case of cancellations. Must be able to check e-mail several times a day.

PETCO Emergency Substitute - (8-10 AM) Weekday mornings - For those days when we absolutely can not find anyone to cover.

PETCO Emergency Contact - We need someone who is available Monday through Friday who has a fairly flexible schedule for those rare occasions when the morning PETCO volunteer does not show up that PETCO can call you. Should have a phone number that PETCO can keep on file that they can usually be contacted at between 9AM-11AM on weekday mornings.

Stock PETCO Supplies - Track inventory and shop for supplies for PETCO. Will need to visit PETCO on a weekly basis to check supplies. (Wal-Mart card will be supplied).

Check on cats at PETCO - at least twice weekly, (reading log and letting Jennie know of any concerns, cats that may need to be rotated etc.)

Adoption Events - Help at adoption events at PETCO on the 1st & 3rd Saturday from 10AM - 2PM (or any part of) showing cats, holding dogs and/or talking to the public about SMAWL. (Must be 16 or older, 12 with adult supervision.) Schedule your date to volunteer for Jan. 2008 - Dec. 2008 now. Please remember the animals count on you to be there, when you sign-up for a date. Also, the number of volunteers determine the number of animals we can bring to an event.

Home Visits - Home visits are required to ensure that the home is everything the potential adopters say it is on the Adoption Application. It needs to be a suitable safe environment for the new pet. All pets and family members should be home at this time. Home Visit form and training will be provided.

Record Microchips - Training provided. This is a good job for someone who is very organized. This position would be best for an active volunteer who has been with SMAWL for several months to be aware of our program works. You should have computer and internet capability and be able to check email at least daily. Enter microchip number and information online after animals are adopted.

Maintain Health Records of Adoptable Cats - Pick up rabies & microchip records at All Kinds in Callaway & drop off at PETCO, remind fosters when vaccines are due.

Return Phone Calls and/or e-mails for Donations - Return phone calls or e-mails and make arrangements for potential donators to drop off donations at PETCO adoption days or at All Kinds Veterinary Clinic.

Adoption and Rescue Center Volunteers - Volunteer to clean litter boxes, feed, and socialize cats at ARC in Loveville. Time is flexible.

PETCO Volunteer - Volunteer to clean litter boxes, feed, clean cages and socialize cats at PETCO in California. AM shift is prior to 9AM. PM shift if 5PM-9PM.

Mail Out Thank You Letters - Print and mail thank you letters and envelopes from your home computer. You will be sent mailing addresses several times a week, as mail is received from those who send donations. We ask that letters be sent within a day or so of receiving the address, so that contributors know that their donations have been received and are appreciated.

Pick Up Donations - Pick up donations from All Kinds in Callaway as needed and deliver to Adoption Center in Loveville or to PETCO. This is on call position. They will call when donations come in and need to be picked up and delivered.

Rabies Clinic - The second Monday of every month from March to November at the St. Mary's County Fair Grounds. 5:30-8PM. Fill out forms, help direct line, Assist Veterinary, etc.(16 years and older) It's never too early to sign up! Feel free to volunteer EVERY month!!!

Animal Fair Planning Team - Our largest fundraiser of the year is our Animal Fair which will be held on May 10th this year. Would you like to join the Planning Team and be an active part of the process this year? We will be looking for many Volunteers with specialties in lots of areas to join this team.

If you are interested in any of the above positions, please respond to this e-mail with your contact info and a SMAWL volunteer will contact you within 48 hours. Even the smawlest amount of time can make a difference in the life of a homeless animal.

Didn't see the job here for you? Stay tuned to the Volunteer email list as we'll be continually posting as new jobs arise. Remember, we can always use more foster homes for both cats and dogs!

Barb