The Dancing Cat would not be possible without our valued volunteers! Whether you’re interested in helping out on site or contributing to our organization from home, we have many available positions that you can see below. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
We endeavor to embody our values in all of the work we do as an organization. Read about our values here.
To contact us regarding volunteer opportunities, fill out our Volunteer Interest Form by clicking here or scrolling to the bottom of this page.
Jump to: Special Positions | On-Site Positions | At-Home Positions
Special Positions
Social media Lead
RESPONSIBILITIES
Create and edit social media content (text, video, and graphics); build and implement social media campaigns; ensure appropriate messaging is executed online through Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, etc; coordinate and stay consistent with brand messaging; respond to follower comments and messages; work closely with other operations teams to promote adoptable cats and organizational message; identify opportunities for community outreach on social media and lead the execution of these opportunities.
REQUIREMENTS
Proficient in social media platforms, particularly with using business accounts and tools. PR or marketing experience is a plus; graphic design, video, and/or photography experience a plus. Must maintain knowledge of our adoptable animals. Flexible schedule that allows for monitoring of social media platforms throughout the day.
TIME COMMITMENT
4-6 hours/week. This position is virtual but is best suited for someone who is local to the San Jose area, as this will allow for the volunteer to visit with and get to know the adoptable cats, as well as to take pictures and video for content.
VOLUNTEER BENEFITS
Experience managing social media for a nonprofit organization
Working with The Dancing Cat’s staff
Making a difference in the lives of cats and the community by promoting adoptable cats and telling their stories
Working with and creating tons of cute cat photos, videos, and graphics!
On-Site Positions
Volunteers must choose one day of the week to volunteer, attend two on-site training sessions, and commit to volunteering for the same day each week for a three-month period. We will gladly extend the three-month period if you wish to continue volunteering longer than the initial three months. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
MORNING ATTENDANT
RESPONSIBILITIES
As a morning attendant, you will come in daily to feed the cats and clean The Dancing Cat's adoption lounge. If you are not afraid to get your hands dirty and love quiet time with cats, this may be the job for you. You will wash food and water bowls, wipe up any spills on the furniture, clean litter boxes, sweep, and mop the floors if needed.
SPECIAL BONUS
This is special time with the kitties as you will be first to greet and feed them in the morning. Take it from us: they will be so grateful and you will be popular!
REQUIREMENTS
A love of cats and no issues with getting your hands dirty with mopping, litter box cleaning, etc.
TIME COMMITMENT
The morning shift is from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. on site at The Dancing Cat. We require two training sessions, usually on Monday or Tuesday mornings. You will sign up for your remaining three months in advance after your initial training sessions.
VOLUNTEER BENEFITS
Working with The Dancing Cat’s staff
Special quiet or play time with the cats
Making a difference in the lives of cats and in our community
GREETER
RESPONSIBILITIES
You will be the first point of contact for guests and potential adopters visiting The Dancing Cat. Upon welcoming guests at the door, you will set the context for positive and warm experience. You will check in visitors, run the small retail area, and answer questions about our mission and our cats.
REQUIREMENTS
Customer service skills plus on-the-job training.
TIME COMMITMENT
Each shift is three hours on-site at The Dancing Cat. You can sign up for as few or as many shifts as you’d like. We also need greeters for our special events that are typically outside of our regular business hours. Special event greeters will help set up and break down the room, as required by the event.
VOLUNTEER BENEFITS
Working with The Dancing Cat’s staff
Play time with cats
Interaction with visitors and potential adopters
Making a difference in the lives of cats and in our community
Cat Photographer
RESPONSIBILITIES
We love getting professional-quality photos of our kitties to share on our website, social media, and other outlets. As cat photographer, you would come on-site to take photos of our cats, ideally once after two weeks.
REQUIREMENTS
Intermediate to advanced knowledge of photography, ability to work independently, willingness to share the content that you capture, and a love of cats!
TIME COMMITMENT
6-8 hours a month.
VOLUNTEER BENEFITS
Special quiet or play time with the cats
Providing photos that are the cornerstone of marketing for each cat and ultimately helping cats find their forever homes
At-Home Positions
If you’re looking for a way to volunteer from the comfort of your own home, we have many opportunities for you. From hosting your own foster kitty to graphic design and more, we hope you’ll find something to fit your skills!
CAT FOSTER PARENT
RESPONSIBILITIES
Foster parents are responsible for the daily care of a foster cat or kitten including feeding, playtime, socialization, grooming, and, of course, providing patience, love, and security. We will provide all necessary medical care and full support throughout the foster period. Any additional expenses incurred by the foster parent may be tax deductible.
REQUIREMENTS
To be a successful foster parent, you will need a compassionate nature, flexibility, and some knowledge of cat or kitten behavior. Frequent email updates are required; responsiveness to our team is critical to the success of our foster program. You should also have access to a reliable computer, internet service, and transportation.
TIME COMMITMENT
This position is for cats from Dancing Cat that might need a place to stay before they enter the lounge, while they can heal from illness, or as they take a break from the social space. The time commitment can be two weeks to over two months. Apply here.
CAT FOSTER COORDINATOR
RESPONSIBILITIES
Foster Coordinators are responsible for keeping in touch with a small number of foster parents for the purpose of scheduling foster cats in their homes. You will arrange for delivery of the cat to the foster family and provide them with initial supplies from The Dancing Cat’s storage room. You will respond to foster parents' questions via email, text, or phone call in a timely manner. You will work closely with other members of The Dancing Cat’s team to ensure that veterinary and behavioral needs are met for each cat. You will build strong relationships with foster parents to ensure open communication and encourage them to be repeat fosters. You may be involved in meet & greets with potential adopters. You will also do the initial post-adoption follow up (3 days after adoption).
REQUIREMENTS
Previous fostering experience preferred. We seek to make fostering a great experience, so you must have customer service and organizational skills, along with social and communication skills. Also required are strong record-keeping abilities, attention to details, and ability to work independently. Foster Coordinators need reliable access to email and phone, and should be able to respond quickly during working hours or occasional evenings as needed.
TIME COMMITMENT
8-10 hours per week
Graphic Designer
Responsibilities
Work closely with Operations and Communications managers and The Dancing Cat Team to create design solutions that have high visual impact for web and/or print, including ads, invitations, posters, newsletters, website graphics, etc.
Requirements
Graphic design and/or website development experience. Must have a creative flair, up-to-date knowledge of industry software, and a professional approach to time, costs, and deadlines. Will need to be able to synthesize suggestions and notes from the team and turn around design requests quickly.
Time Commitment
5-10 hrs/month; this is a virtual position.
Cat transport
RESPONSIBILITIES
Transport volunteers use their personal vehicles to transport cats and/or supplies or donations (e.g., picking up cats from a local shelter, chauffeuring cats to/from medical appointments, taking supplies to fosters, etc.). Travel is primarily in the San Jose area.
REQUIREMENTS
Must have a reliable vehicle that is licensed and insured; the vehicle must have enough space for kenneled animals. Requires a valid driver’s license.
TIME COMMITMENT
Flexibility of schedule; 2-4 hrs/week
Volunteer Interest Form
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. We do not discriminate based on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of our activities or operations.