You can help care for cats. Kids can, too! Adults are encouraged to volunteer at shelters, foster animals, and participate in TNR. Little ones can read to the cats, perk up the shelters, or take some fun classes to learn how to be an animal advocate. Marin County’s cats are looking for helpers just like you.
Adult Volunteer Opportunities
The animal shelters and humane societies in North Bay are looking for volunteers like you.
1. Marin Friends of Ferals
Marin Friends of Ferals loves cats, whether they’re indoors or out. This group strives to help keep the stray cat population under control, so whenever possible, they find homes for kittens, get veterinary care for cats, and relocate animals when necessary. Marin Friends of Ferals participates in a trap-neuter-release program to make sure cats are fixed, vaccinated, microchipped, and safely returned to their home in the wild. So far, they’ve helped over 2500 feral cats!
You can help by feeding the cat colonies and making sure they have clean water and healthy food. If you’re a feeder, watch the animals to make sure they seem healthy. If they need help, you and other MFF volunteers can trap them and get them to the veterinarian.
The trap-neuter-release program helps keep the population under control, which is great for the environment, your neighbors, and the cats themselves. This process is easy and rewarding!
Foster kitties while they wait for their forever homes. Some need help with socialization before it it is put up for adoption at Marin Humane, and they will need help from cat-loving experts like you.
Not able to foster or participate in TNR? You can still help Marin Friends of Ferals as a grant writer. MFF is a nonprofit that relies entirely on grants, donations, and fundraisers, so even if you can’t be there in person, you can be a big help.
2. Jake’s Place
Jake’s Place Cat Rescue brings in cats from high kill shelters to find foster and permanent homes for as many cats as they can. Some animals are special needs or need medical attention, meaning they wouldn’t have a long lifespan in some shelters. Thankfully, Jake’s Place gives them a second chance. This group is looking for foster cat parents to keep cats socialized and well-loved before they find their forever homes. Did you fall in love with your foster cat? You can adopt her for a small fee.
Jake’s Place is always looking for help with cat transportation to and from the vet, delivering them to their adoptive families, and assistance with special cat events. Monetary donations are also welcome.
3. North Bay Animal Shelter
North Bay Animal Shelter is always in need of volunteers to care for the cats and dogs, clean up after them, and help keep them socialized. Anyone over 18 years is encouraged to apply. They’re also looking for foster parents to help care for the animals while they wait for their forever homes.
Are you too busy to commit to an hour a week at the shelter? Help the cats and dogs by purchasing necessities off the shelter’s wishlist.
4. Marin County Humane Society
Join over 650 other volunteers to care for Marin County Humane Society’s many cats, dogs, and other animals. Help clean the kennels, assist at Marin Humane’s events, walk the dogs, and of course, snuggle with the kitties. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
5. Marin Cat Connection
Marin Cat Connection is a nonprofit organization to help educate the public about proper cat care, and find homes for homeless cats and kittens. Volunteer by providing a temporary home for kittens while they wait to be adopted. This socialization is vital to helping them find a suitable forever family. Are you that forever family? Marin Cat Connection encourages people to adopt, not shop.
If you can’t bring home a new kitty, either as a foster or a permanent addition to your home, you are encouraged to donate to the Marin Cat Connection to help cover feline medical costs, including spaying/neutering and vaccinations.
6. Virtual Pet Fair
Ready to adopt? Pet Food Express is pairing with Marin County Humane Society for a virtual pet fair. In September and October, this fair will help you find your purrfect pet (there are over 3,000 animals to choose from!) then contact the local shelter to meet them. All adoptions support care for homeless pets: Pet Food Express will donate $25 to the shelter for every animal adoption during the event. If you’re not already volunteering, this event will help keep the shelter running smoothly and efficiently.
Kids Volunteer Opportunities
1. Read to the Animals
At Sonoma’s Pets Lifeline, kids can read aloud to shelter cats every Saturday. It’s a win-win: kids can work on their literacy skills while homeless kitties can get some much-needed socialization. This is a great opportunity for pet-loving kids who can’t keep a pet in the home or for kids who are learning a language.
2. Pets are Family Coloring Pages
Kids, the North Bay Animal Services has an open call for your art! Print these coloring pages and draw a picture of your family. Yes, pets are family, too, so don’t forget to draw the kitties. The shelter will display your beautiful picture to help inspire potential adoptive families and bring a smile to the room.
3. Just for Fun: Cat-themed Birthday Party
Does your kid love pets so much, they would throw a party for cats? The Marin County Humane Society offers birthday parties! Your little ones can enjoy a cat-themed party with a game, craft, tour of the shelter, and a meet and greet with an adoptable furball. In-person parties are still unavailable due to the pandemic, but the shelter is hoping to restart this awesome offering in August.
Adult Learning Opportunities
1. Cat Training and Behavior Workshops
How’s the cat training going? Marin County Humane Society offers enrichment classes, behavior workshops, and much more. From litterbox training to more complex lessons, learn to understand your cat and teach her how to behave in the home. These online classes are a must for anyone owned by a sassy cat.
2. Kids Learning Opportunities
Kids love pets… and pets love them, too. If your little ones adore cats, the North Bay area offers plenty of summer fun activities and hands-on-fur learning.
3. Pets Lifeline Summer Camp
Pets Lifeline Summer Camp offers 10 weeks of pet-centric educational camp classes for kids ages 5-11. There are classes about wild animals for older kids and “Pet Pals for Little Paws” for the younger crowd: an easy class about how to take care of pets, safety around animals, and how to read animal body language. We’re partial to the Crazy for Cats class, of course. These campers will learn about special needs cats, the best ways to care for their kitties, and how they can help feral cats in the area. All kids will enjoy arts, crafts, and educational events all about animals.
Another of our favorite classes, Kitten School, focuses on caring for adorable kittens and what to do if the campers find lost baby cats. They will learn about bottle feeding, complete art projects, and more.
The classes will be held next week and again in August. Sign up soon, because these classes fill up fast.
4. Animal Adventure Camp
Animal Adventure Camp in Santa Rosa will let kids get up close and personal with cats… and dogs and goats and llamas and mini ponies and many more amazing animals. Kids will learn from a veterinarian, a cat behavior expert, and other animal specialists. They will learn how to care for their pets and how they can help homeless animals in Sonoma.
5. Summer Camp at Marin Humane
Marin County Humane Society offers fun summer camps for kids who love animals. Little kids can do animal-themed arts and crafts and learn about pets from Animal Ambassadors. Older kids will learn how to train dogs, be exposed to potential animal careers, and volunteer in the animal shelter. A pet-loving kiddo’s dream!
Care for Your Cats at Home
It’s great to offer your time to support cat rescues and to learn about how to be a good animal advocate, but don’t forget your cats at home!
1. Cat Clinic of Mill Valley
All pets need to go to the veterinarian from time to time, no matter how much they hate it. Cats need to get checked out, too, because they’re experts at hiding symptoms. The sickest cat will pretend that everything is fine until it’s too late. Get ahead of the game and take your sneaky cat to a specialist veterinarian in North Bay.
While there’s no shortage of skilled veterinarians in Marin County, the Cat Clinic of Mill Valley specializes in cats — and cats only! Services include routine checkups, dental care, ultrasounds, surgery, and more. These cat care experts are sure to give your feline friend the best care in North Bay.
2. Mobile Vet Clinic
To help reach more communities, the mobile veterinarian clinic pops up at pet stores, retail stores, and other pet-friendly locations throughout the area. Check Pet Food Express for more details.
3. Holistic Animal Clinic
For a gentler approach, try the Holistic Animal Clinic. These technicians are skilled in animal acupuncture, which offers immediate pain relief and stress management in a soothing environment. Cats that suffer from arthritis or even partial paralysis can benefit from herbal supplements and acupuncture.
4. Fur Cats’ Sake
Keep your cat beautifully groomed at Fur Cats’ Sake. This boutique animal spa offers nail trims, haircuts, claw cap applications, baths, and even lion styles. Remove mats and brush out loose fur to reduce hairballs, shedding, and discomfort. This cat spa keeps your beautiful cat looking her best!