Volunteer Guidelines | Port Orchard Parrot Rescue & Sanctuary

Volunteer Hours

Volunteers are (with some exceptions) welcome to set their own hours for working with rescue and sanctuary animals.  In order to avoid conflicts with other necessary work, we ask that volunteers adhere to the scheduled hours so that we don’t get in each other’s way.

No Experience Required

You don’t need to have any previous experience working with parrots to volunteer.  An experienced volunteer will work with you in the beginning and will teach you what needs to be done.

COVID REQUIREMENTS

Volunteers must be masked and must follow social distancing requirements at all time.  If you are exposed or think you may have been, please let us know and then quarantine as directed by state and local officials.  Please don’t volunteer while you feel unwell.  We’ll cover for you.

Age Requirements

• Under 16 years of age:  Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian AT ALL TIMES while on the premises.
• 16-18 years of age:  Must have written permission from a parent or guardian (who must visit us in person initially to sign you up) to work unaccompanied, otherwise must be accompanied by a parent or guardian AT ALL TIMES while on the premises.

Description of Work

Choose your day(s) of the week and the shift(s) you prefer:

Morning Feeding and Cleanup

• Hours:
  • 10:00 a.m. to noon  – Tuesday through Saturday
• Tasks (do in order listed as much as possible to keep from messing up earlier work):
  • Turn on lights (if off)
  • Mist bath for all birds
  • Prepare fresh dishwater
  • Put away dry dishes
  • Remove any remaining food and water dishes from cages (throw out remaining food and rinse food and water dishes to keep dishwater clean)
  • Wash and rinse dishes
  • Remove soiled papers from cages
  • Pick up, sweep, scrub away debris from inside cages, especially in crevices and areas covered by trays.
  • Use Poop-Off to pre-treat any dried on poop inside and outside of cages
  • Use hot-water/vinegar mix to clean cages.  Pay special attention to any organic (food and fecal) matter which can attract pests and spread disease if left in cages.
  • Sweep up any food droppings and other debris from floor.
  • Spot clean with mop as needed.
  • Put clean papers in cages.
  • Provide food and water in clean dishes
  • General tidying up (make sure everything is where it belongs)
• Helpful hints:
  • Talk gently to the birds as you’re working, especially if you’re going to be carrying boxes, trash cans, food bags, and other unusual items around them.  This helps calm them down and gets them used to your voice.

Afternoon Feeding and Cleanup

• Hours:
  • 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Tuesday through Saturday
• Tasks (do in order listed as much as possible to keep from messing up earlier work):
  • Put away dry dishes
  • Remove any remaining food and water dishes from cages (throw out remaining food and rinse food and water dishes to keep dishwater clean)
  • Provide food and water in clean dishes
  • Wash and rinse dishes
  • Move any items on floor in preparation for mopping.
  • Sweep up any food droppings and other debris from floor
  • General tidying up (make sure everything is where it belongs)
  • Empty trash (new trash bag if needed, be definitely every Saturday afternoon- needed or not)
  • Prepare clean mop water
    • Dump out old mop water (if any) in toilet. Be sure to flush.
    • Fill mop bucket with hot water (as hot as you can make it).
    • Add 2-4 cups of distilled vinegar depending on how much cleaning is needed.
    • Add a 2-4 drops of Dawn dish washing liquid after bucket is full.
  • Mop floor to clean up any poop and dried on food droppings
  • Leave mop water for spot cleaning through the day.
  • Turn out lights at 6:00 p.m.
• Helpful hints:
  • Talk gently to the birds as you’re working, especially if you’re going to be carrying boxes, trash cans, food bags, and other unusual items around them.  This helps calm them down and gets them used to your voice.

Rescue/Sanctuary Work vs. Retail Store Work

Because the Rescue and Sanctuary currently shares facilities with Port Orchard Parrots Plus (a for-profit business) it is very important that volunteers refrain from doing any work that may be construed as benefiting the for-profit business.  If you’re not sure, please ask.

Your Contribution

Please be prepared to contribute to the work that is being done during the period of time covered by your visit.  If you would like a written record of the time you spend working with the rescue and sanctuary, please let us know and we’ll set up a time-keeping system for you.

As always, thank you for your help.  It means the world to us and the birdies too!

Join the Volunteer Community at POParrots.com

Volunteers have their own social network at POParrots.com where you can share your experiences, ask questions, or just hang out with other passionate parrot people.  Note: You must register and be logged in to use these resources.

• Volunteers Group (similar to a Facebook Group, but just for our volunteers)
• Volunteer Forum (a more structured venue that keeps discussions grouped by topic)
• Rehoming Forum (where we help people find homes for parrots without putting them into rescue)

Questions?

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.