BARC Uvalde

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Volunteers

Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the BARC Uvalde. We are able to make a difference in the lives of animals as a direct result of our dedicated volunteers. If you have a passion for animals and would like to make an impact in our community, joining our volunteer team may be the perfect fit.

There are many ways that you can become involved with the BARC Uvalde. Below you will find descriptions of our primary volunteer opportunities. They include responsibilities, suggested time commitments, and shift possibilities. Most of our time commitments and shifts are flexible, so if you see an area that interests you but you can’t meet the times/shifts listed, we may be able to work with you. If you’re interested in donating services or volunteering in a way that’s not listed below, please contact us. We love our volunteers and we’re excited about the possibility of you joining our team!

Volunteer Requirements

  • All volunteers are required to complete a volunteer orientation session before beginning.
  • Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.  Junior volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian who is 18 years or older.
  • Any person volunteering who is 18 years or older or accompanying a junior volunteer must agree to a background check.

Please complete the volunteer application and email to our volunteer coordinator. She will contact you to schedule your orientation.

Diana San Miguel
830.275.1744
hsuvolunteers@yahoo.com

Volunteer Opportunities

Rescue Row Volunteer
  • Clean kennels
  • Release pets into play groups
  • Feed and freshen water
  • Provide medication as needed
  • Maintain the facility (sweep outside play areas and overall tidying up)
  • Provide dogs/cats with social interaction (optional)
  • Limited public interaction
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  • Suggested Time Commitment: 2 hours per week
    Available Shifts: 7 days a week; 2pm and 8pm Shifts are flexible

    When animals are admitted to BARC, they are placed on Rescue Row. Volunteers are needed to care for the animal’s physical and socialization needs on a daily basis. If you love interacting with animals and enjoy cleaning, this opportunity may be a great fit! For more information about this opportunity, contact our volunteer coordinator.

Office Volunteer
  • Manage office operations
  • Interface with the public
  • Provide information about programs and services
  • Distribute low-cost spay/neuter vouchers
  • Assist with adoptions
  • Limited animal interaction

  • Suggested Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week
    Available Shifts: 7 days a week; 10am – 6pm

    Our office is open Monday- Friday from 10am-3pm to distribute spay/neuter vouchers, which reduce the cost of having an animal spayed/neutered. Our goal is to extend office hours, so if you’re available to volunteer in the office beyond our office hours, let us know. Office volunteers distribute the vouchers and answer basic questions about our program and services.  If you are interested in more information regarding volunteering in the office, please contact our volunteer coordinator.

Crossover Volunteer
  • Manage office operations
  • Distribute low cost spay/neuter vouchers
  • Manage kennels (feeding, cleaning kennels, providing medication to pets)
  • Assist with adoptions
  • Interact with animals and the public

  • Suggested Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week
    Available Shifts: 7 days a week; 10am – 6pm Shifts are flexible

    We are searching for more crossover volunteers who are able to be an office volunteer and Rescue Row volunteer at the same time. This will allow our office to be open a greater number of hours per week. Our goal is to train volunteers to be knowledgeable in the office as well as Rescue Row in hopes of increasing adoptions and the number of low-cost vouchers we are able to distribute. For more information regarding these individual areas, please see the descriptions above or contact our volunteer coordinator.

Dog Whisperer
  • Provide dogs with social interaction
  • Teach dogs basic commands
  • Become familiar with the personalities of our dogs
  • Optional: Interact with potential adopters to help determine which animal will be a best fit for them.

  • Suggested Time Commitment: 2 hour per week
    Available Shifts: During office hours and special events

    When dogs are admitted to BARC, many have great temperaments, but have underdeveloped social skills. It’s important that they receive socialization and some basic training to become more adoptable. Volunteers are needed to interact with our dogs on a daily basis, teaching them basic social skills (walking on a leash and sitting quietly) and introducing them to basic commands (sitting for a treat and coming when called).  The more “family ready” the pets are, the faster they’re adopted.  Dog Whisperer hours may vary according to office hours and events, so please contact our volunteer coordinator if you are interested in this opportunity. Any amount of time that you’re able to give is valued!

Kitty Socializer
  • Provide cats with social interaction
  • Become familiar with the personalities of our kitties
  • Optional: Interact with potential adopters to help determine which animal will be a best fit for them.

  • Suggested Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week
    Available Shifts: 7 days a week; 10am – 6pm

    Suggested Time Commitment: 30 minutes-1 hour per week
    Available Shifts: During office hours

    If cats are more your style, we have some Rescue Row felines that always need social interaction and play time! Uvalde has a large feral cat population and proper socialization is incredibly important to help these guys find loving homes. Our kitties appreciate the time that you’re able to spend with them. Contact our volunteer coordinator for more information about this opportunity.

Event Volunteer
  • Interact with the public
  • Raise awareness for the need to spay/neuter pets
  • Advocate for proper animal care
  • Set up/take down event booth

  • Suggested Time Commitment: 4-6 hours per month (or as available)
    Available Shifts: Varies according to community events

    Our greatest opportunities to make an impact in community education are through personal interactions with the public. We are proud to have a presence at numerous local events including the Uvalde Ranch Rodeo, the Oasis Outdoor Round Up, and Southwest Texas Veterinary Clinic’s Rabies Drives. We prepare event volunteers to raise awareness for the need to spay/neuter pets and provide education regarding animal abuse and the appropriate ways to care for pets. For more information about this opportunity, contact our volunteer coordinator.

Education Program
  • Interact with the public (small groups of children or adults)
  • Raise awareness for the need to spay/neuter pets
  • Advocate for proper animal care

  • Suggested Time Commitment: 4-6 hours monthly
    Available Shifts: During the school year/school hours and by invitation

    BARC has created an education program in an effort to reach out to the youngest of the community. This program has a curriculum developed by teachers that is easy for any adult to relay to a class of any age. We have programs for elementary through high school. Our early childhood curriculum focuses on basic humaneness and animal care and the junior high/high school program focuses on more in-depth and age-appropriate issues such as chaining, dog fighting and animal abuse. Whether you are a retired teacher or someone who enjoys being around children, we can use your help. The time commitment in this program can be as little as once a month to as frequent as you are free. Please contact our volunteer coordinator for more information.

    There is also a need for community education for all ages.  We are occasionally asked to speak to different organizations, such as Lions Club and Garden Club, so if your skills are better on an adult level, there is an educational need there as well.