Welcome!

Duties

The role of the Specialized Species Enrichment - Guinea Pigs/Other is to provide exercise, mental stimulation, and positive socialization experiences for small animal room Guinea Pigs, gerbils, rats, hamsters and other exotics and excellent customer service to shelter guests.

General Responsibilities

• Pick up animals and accustom them to handling.
• Place animals in exercise pens for play and exercise.
• Provide basic grooming, such as brushing, for animals.
• Greet members of the public, assist them in meeting and handling the animals, and offer to answer any questions or direct them to staff.

Shift Times

11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. -- weekdays

11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. -- weekends

Qualifications

Greenhill Humane Society has the following requirements for participation in the Specialized Species Enrichment volunteer position at Greenhill Shelter.

Physical Capabilities

• Ability to meet, greet and respectfully handle small animals including Guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, gerbils, etc.
• Ability to bend, squat, kneel and stand to perform various duties during shift (example: fill water dispensers, clean litter boxes, or other helpful tasks)
• Comfortable interacting with public and knowledge of small animals in a shelter situation, professional attitude.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and answer questions from members of the public and/or direct members of the public to staff.
• Ability to greet potential adopters and offer assistance.
• Ability to “pass off” important small animal information to the next enrichment volunteer.

Cognitive Capabilities

• Experience with small animals is helpful but we will train.
• Ability to assess basic small animal behavior and cues.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, or in a parent/youth or support team, while knowing when to ask for help if needed.
• Ability to read and understand instructions, notes about specific small animals, and small animal procedures.
• Ability to focus on small animals and recognize changes in behavior and when to leave a small animal alone
• Ability to maintain a calm demeanor at all times in the Small Animal Room.
• Ability to pay close attention to members of the public and recognize appropriate behavior.
• Must adhere to safety standards by wearing protective equipment. 

Training Requirements

Specialized Species Enrichment Training

It is our hope that the information provided serves as a thorough and useful tool for volunteers when deciding whether the Specialized Species Enrichment position at Greenhill Humane Society is the right fit for them. If you have any questions about these essential capabilities, or would like more information, please email the Volunteer Department at volunteer@green-hill.org, or call (541) 735-9339.