Volunteer
Can you spare 2-3 hours one day a week to care for the cats at our Adoption Center inside Petco? Are you able to transport cats to/from fosters homes or vets? Do you have organizational, administrative, or computer skills and would like to help from home?
Current Opportunities
Kitty Caregivers
Feed and care for our shelter cats during an assigned shift at Petco on Cerrillos Road or at Santa Fe Cats on Tano Road for 2-3 hours, at least once a week. Kitty caregivers must be at least 16 (18 at Petco) with reliable transportation. This role requires lots of bending and minor lifting. Petco KC shifts are approx. 9AM-noon or 5-7PM. Santa Fe Cats KC shifts are approx. 9AM-noon or 3PM-5PM. To learn more, watch this video.
We also have just a few mid-afternoon opportunities for volunteers who would like to help Petco kitties but find KC tasks a bit too physically demanding. This role requires public interaction to help visitors meet kitties and learn about our adoption process.
Foster
Provide a safe foster home for kittens during kitten season, a special needs cat, or a senior kitty. Training, food and supplies, medical care, and adoption services provided. Read more about fostering here.
Petco Weekend Adoption Hours
Volunteers needed to assist potential adopters every Saturday and Sunday afternoon at Petco Santa Fe, 1-3:30 pm. Must be comfortable interacting with Petco visitors. This opportunity can be as little as twice a month; after training, volunteer shifts are scheduled in advance.
Adoption Advisor
Help meet with approved adopters to introduce them to our available cats at Petco, Santa Fe Cats or Teca Tu. Assist adopter’s with paperwork and and send the cat(s) to their furever home. Requires 2-3 hour commitment per adopter, at least once a week, plus assisting as a Kitty Caregiver at least occasionally to get to know the cats.
Adoption Event Volunteers
Help get cats adopted by assisting with adoption event setup/teardown, kitty transport to/from events, and kitty meet n' greets during events. Most adoption events are on Saturdays in Santa Fe - for example, at Teca Tu in the De Vargas Center. This opportunity can be once or twice a month; after training, just sign up to help at events that fit your schedule.
Transport
Help with supply pickups and general kitty transportation needs. Common destinations include Santa Fe area vets, spay/neuter clinic, mobile adoption events, foster homes, and our locations on Tano Road, Teca Tu, and Petco. Must have your own vehicle.
Fundraising
Volunteers needed to help us staff and pull together fundraising events. We are open to new ideas.
Adoption Application Reviewer
Volunteers needed to help us call references for adoption applications. This opportunity can be done from home, using your own phone and computer to communicate with other members of the adoptions team.
What Our Volunteers Say
“I’ve been volunteering at F&F for 4 years now and I love it. Every shift with the cats cracks my heart right open, brings me so much joy and laughter. I fall in love with at least 1 kitty every time - The only problem is I can’t bring them all home with me!”
“I have been volunteering for Felines and Friends for a couple years now. I caretake “my” little furry friends every Tuesday morning. Do I have extra time in my life…no, no one does. But giving back and making a difference for animals in need is a passion of mine. So I make the time.
People say to me “it must be so sad”. The cats at Felines and Friends are the lucky ones. They are safe, fed, cared for and loved by all the volunteers and staff. I consider myself to be lucky to be able to be a part of their precious lives before they get their own families.
I also hear “I can’t volunteer because I’d take them all home”. Well, maybe you will take one home, or maybe you won’t. But that is not your purpose or your mindset when volunteering. You are there to offer love and comfort to these sweet souls. This is important work in ending the suffering of cats on the streets. This CAN’T happen without volunteers.
The very best part for me personally is being a part of helping a cat learn to trust and accept love from humans again. It really makes me feel like I make a difference for them and expands my heart!
An added unexpected benefit is I have met really great like minded friends. I guarantee volunteering with Felines & Friends is a life changing experience.”
“After my cancer treatments in 2021, I became disabled and started to volunteer for Felines & Friends at the Petco Adoption Center. I fell absolutely in love with rescue work and soon started working at Santa Fe Cats as well as volunteering. When I go home after I volunteer, I feel like I’ve done something special for the kitties with my time and efforts and it makes me feel happy that they are better off because I was there caring for them. The “Friends” side of the “Felines & Friends” has been wonderful! I’m volunteering with friends whom I respect and care about. Plus there’s a sweet oxytocin rush that comes when you pet purring kitties. After months of lovingly petting my foster cat from F&F who was feral, she has become a purring, friendly, kitty. The transformation is the bliss. I love F&F and if my health holds, I hope to volunteer for F&F for many years to come.”
“My time at Feline and Friends has been nothing but PURRRe bliss. I get to spend a few hours a week playing with kitties!!! Have I died and gone to heaven? It is my meditation/escape each week from society and reality. I get to be of service to these little creatures and help get them socialized for their FURRRever home. It has been an honor to volunteer with F&F and we even found our little Gracie through them. She is the newest edition to our family and has made the PURRRfect companion for her brother Simon. Thank you Feline and Friends of New Mexico. I highly recommend anyone who loves cats look into volunteering in the many different open positions.”