Volunteer FAQs

Cat Lounge Helper

  • We ask that volunteers commit to at least one three hour shift every other week.

  • Shifts are typically from 11 am-2 pm, 2-5 pm, or 5-8:15 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 11 am-2 pm or 2-5 pm on Tuesdays, and 12-2:45 pm, 2:45-5:30 pm, or 5:30-8:15 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

  • Cat Lounge Helpers are asked to make a commitment to volunteer regularly for at least 6 months, although we prefer to onboard volunteers who can commit for longer. There is no maximum length of commitment.

  • We do recommend that Cat Lounge Helpers have been exposed to cats before and are familiar with their behavior and body language. We do not require that volunteers have had a cat before or have extensive knowledge about cats.

  • Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Volunteers under 18 years of age must have parent/guardian permission to volunteer.

  • Cat Lounge Helpers receive free drinks during their shifts, 10% off of food and merchandise, and free cat lounge visits (when sessions are not full).

Cat Transport

  • Currently, we do not transport cats on a set weekly schedule. Cat Transport Volunteers are added to a list who we reach out to whenever we have a need to transport cats. Volunteers on the list can offer to drive as opportunities arise and they are available.

  • Cat Transport shifts can take anywhere from 1-3.5 hours depending on the type of transport (Vet appointment, vet drop off/pickup, or new cat pick up).

  • Volunteers are asked to make a commitment for at least 6 months. There is no maximum length of commitment.

  • We require that volunteers have been exposed to cats before and are familiar with their behavior and body language.

  • Cat Transport Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Volunteers receive free drinks during their shifts, 10% off of food and merchandise, and free cat lounge visits on days that they complete transport.

  • Yes, transport volunteers are reimbursed for their mileage based on the IRS standard mileage rates for the year.

Foster

  • Cats are most commonly placed in foster for new cat quarantine which is typically two weeks long. However, there are occasionally opportunities to foster for longer periods. These longer periods would typically be medical or behavioral stays.

  • Cats are typically sent to fosters as individuals or bonded pairs. Rarely, we may have opportunities to foster groups of three if desired, but fosters are not expected to take more than one cat at a time.

  • Fosters are asked to make a commitment to be on our roster for at least 6 months, although we prefer to onboard fosters who are able to commit for longer. There is no maximum length of commitment.

  • Yes, fosters must have prior experience taking care of cats. We do not require that fosters have had a cat of their own, but they must have experience caring for cats whether that is in a pet sitting, work, or volunteer capacity. Fosters must also be familiar with cat behavior and body language.

  • Fosters must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Fosters receive one free drink for every day that they are fostering a cat, 10% off of food and merchandise, and free cat lounge visits while they are fostering.

  • Yes, fosters must have reliable access to a car and be willing to pick the cats up from the cafe at the beginning of the foster period and return them at the end. Fosters must also be prepared for the possibility of driving a cat that becomes sick to the vet on short notice.

  • We prefer to onboard fosters who are not actively looking to adopt. However, we understand that foster fails happen. Therefore, fosters are eligible to apply to adopt the cats that they have fostered. Please note that depending on the number of cats in our cat lounge population, fosters may not be permitted to apply until after cats have been introduced to the lounge and are officially available for adoption (this can take several months).