Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Coodinator: Sophia Zavarse, volunteer@ocgainesville.org
Spay-Neuter Clinic in downtown Gainesville
Clinics are held 3-4 times weekly, with volunteer opportunities available to both general volunteers and veterinary students. Because of our clinic’s specialty in free-roaming, unowned community cats, we require clinic volunteers to be Rabies vaccinated in order to handle trapped cats, including those under anesthesia. Non-Rabies-vaccinated volunteers can expect to help with the admissions and discharge process, scribing for staff and volunteers, monitoring cats during the recovery process, and more. Rabies-vaccinated volunteers can explore additional responsibilities in surgical prep, physical exam, anesthesia monitoring, and post-operative treatment, and veterinary students can expect incredible surgical opportunities. Learn more about specific opportunities for vet students here.
A veterinary student performs a physical examination while a non-Rabies-vaccinated volunteer records her dictated findings
Pre-vet volunteers showing off the largest cats of the day
Community Cat Management course at the University of Florida college of veterinary medicine
An exciting opportunity for volunteers of all skill levels to be a part of a major spay-neuter event. Typically held once per semester, the Community Cat Management Course (CCMC) at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine culminates in a high-volume clinic where anywhere from 150-250 cats are seen in one day. Reminiscent of the early days of Operation Catnip, it’s an unforgettable sight to see so much progress being made at once. Similar to our home base clinic, volunteer opportunities vary based on the volunteers Rabies-vaccination status, but rest assured there’s something for everyone, and lots of help is needed!
Over 160 cats tucked in for the night in preparation for their spay-neuter surgeries at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dozens of volunteers work together to make this special event happen.
Deployment clinics throughout north central Florida
In partnership with various national and local organizations, Operation Catnip deploys several times a year to under-resourced communities for large-scale TNR and spay-neuter clinic events. Volunteers work on trapping teams, visiting pre-determined sites to trap cats over a two-day period, which are then spayed and neutered in a HQHV event, and released the following day by their same teams. Volunteer opportunities are also avaiable to those who want to help on the clinic day only. Learn more about our current partnership with Red Rover, and the Coastal Cats Initiative here:
Volunteers return newly spayed and neutered cats to their outdoor home in Keaton Beach, FL.
Keaton Beach Volunteer and community cat caregiver Vickie overjoyed with her now 100% sterilized clowder!
Operation Catnip’s catio for working cats
Operation Catnip’s Working Cat Program places 200+ cats annually to barns, farms, businesses and more to adopters seeking independent outdoor companions and green pest control. Prior to their placement, the cats are housed in our Catio, a cat-friendly outdoor enclosure where they can decompress, make friends, and await their turn for a second chance at life. Working Cats are timid, shy, and typically avoid human interaction, but still receive (and deserve!) dedicated care, high-quality food, and daily attendance to their needs. Our volunteers are critical in caring for and monitoring our Working Cats. They provide feedback to our Working Cat Program director on medical concerns, behavior changes, and supply needs. In addition to daily care opportunities, we also welcome volunteers for our monthly deep cleanings! This is a great opportunity for volunteers looking for a quiet and mellow environment, and don’t be surprised if you find your heart stolen by even the most aloof of kitties!
Volunteers after a catio deep clean
Working Cats appreciate our compassionate volunteers!
Laundry
Another great opportunity for those seeking a quiet space, laundry is one of our most-needed volunteer positions! Between towels, trap covers, surgical pack wraps, and fleece to keep our patients warm while under anesthesia, we go through a lot of laundry! Our sugical pack wraps require a gentle touch and a fine attention to detail, with training on cleaning and folding techniques to help us keep our supplies in top shape! With down-time between loads, volunteers are encouraged to bring books, music, homework, or crafts to work on during interim moments. A great way to make a big difference in a low-stress setting!
Group Volunteering Opportunities
We welcome student clubs, local organizations, businesses, and more for group volunteering! Work with our volunteer coordinator to set up a project depending on the number of volunteers! There’s something for everyone!
