Volunteering With Operation Catnip

Veterinary students can expect a comprehensive and thorough look at HQHVSN and community cat management by participating in our program, along with opportunities to learn and hone their clinical and surgical skills. Vet students will work with our team to master skills in physical exam, surgical prep, and post-operative care, and are eligible for surgical opportunities based on satisfactory assessment of clinical techniques, engagement and involvement, and prerequisites obtained through their veterinary school education. 

Volunteers trained to assist in these stations provide pre & post-operative care to Community Cats and Kittens in our spay-neuter clinic. Tasks include: shaving/scrubbing for surgery, expressing bladders, ear-tipping, administering vaccinations, giving pain injections, administering fluids, administering flea prevention, assessing the heart rate/ temperature/respiratory rate, reversing sedation, and transporting the cat back to their respective trap.

You must have a rabies-vaccination for this volunteering opportunity.

CPAs assist our clinic technicians and medical director prepare for each spay-neuter clinic day. Some tasks include: assisting with kitten examinations, dosing and measuring out medications/injections, intaking and weighing trapped cats, drawing up vaccinations, preparing the Operating Room, etc.

Induction assistants work closely with our induction technician to assist with replacing newspaper in traps, cleaning traps quickly if needed, replacing trap covers, organizing traps in the corresponding racks, holding open traps for volunteers in our post-operative station, etc.

Laundry is an important and critical component of our clinic. We utilize towels, fleece, trap covers, and surgical drapes and wraps to provide a clean and sanitary experience for the cats. While volunteering in laundry, attendants learn to fold surgical drapes and wraps, and keep all laundry in good condition and organized.

The donation sorter is in charge of going through donations in the conference room, and organizing them into their prospective locations throughout Operation Catnip. We have a list & map of all locations where donations are kept, and where donations are taken if we are not in need of the items at the current moment.

 Donation sorters are required to transport these unneeded items to respective locations if we are not in need.

At this time, we do not need additional assistance with this opportunity.

Instrument & Mask sterilizing is essential for the cleanliness of our spay-neuter clinic. Volunteers spend their time in the high-intensity clinic environment and are responsible for collecting, cleaning, sterilizing, and sorting all surgical instruments and anesthesia masks used by our Medical Director and Veterinary Student Volunteer Surgeons.

Working Cat Caretakers are tasked with caring for the cats housed in our Catio enclosure. These cats are awaiting placement through our Working Cat Program, where they will find new homes in non-traditional venues like barns, farms, businesses or breweries. Working Cats are typically shy, timid, or feral, and aren't adoptable as traditional house pets. 

Working Cat Caretakers should be mindful that the cats typically will not solicit or enjoy petting or handling. It's best to give them plenty of space and avoid scaring them out of their hiding spaces. Cats who do enjoy petting will be listed on the whiteboard with a "heart" next to their name, indicating it's safe and welcome to give them gentle pets! 

Clinic check-out assistants are responsible for working with clinic technicians and clinic receptionists to create a wonderful experience for our Community Cat Caregivers during clinic check-out. Activities include packing up kittens in carriers, cleaning shorelines, carrying trapped cats out to cars, verifying the correct cat is in the proper trap, communicating with caregivers, and assisting with cleaning.

Operation Catnip Ambassadors are entrusted with representing our organization during events and tablings outside our organization throughout the year. They are in charge of setting up & breaking down a table, handing out brochures, keeping track of giveaway items, and educating the Community regarding the importance of our programs. They must understand and convey our values at every event, and help provide education to the public!