Opportunities From: Chicago Animal Care & Control / FCACC / SHC

Join us for part one of a three part training process, the first part of which is an online presentation using the adoption training manual.  (Part 2 will be shadowing and part 3 is an optional round table discussion.). You will receive a link to a Microsoft Teams Meeting the day before the session.

Adoption Training Outline
1. The Adoption Process & Matchmaking Basics (Virtual – Microsoft Teams). This session
provides a foundational understanding of the adoption process and key matchmaking
techniques.
a. Overview of the Adoption Process – walk through each step from initial inquiry to
finalizing the adoption, including the role of staff and how volunteers fit into the process.
b. Getting to know the Adopter – learn how to ask the right questions and gather helpful
information: household composition, existing pets, lifestyle, fenced yard vs. leash-
walking, daily routine, and more.
c. Tools for Choosing Dogs to Show – volunteers will be introduced to a variety of
resources to help guide which dogs to present to adopters:
     i. Adoptable dog spreadsheet
     ii. Cat tests, leash tests, playgroup notes
     iii. General behavior notes
     iv. Kid-friendliness indicators
     v. CACC Dogs Facebook page
     vi. Insights from fellow volunteers
d. Counseling During the Showing – how to connect with adopters during their visit:
understanding their needs, offering decompression and training tips, and helping them
envision life with their potential new dog.
e. When to Loop in Staff – knowing when and how to bring in an APC or the Shelter
Manager for support.

Dress dogs up for the runway and show them off in an afternoon of fun at Daley Plaza.  You will need to transport the dogs from CACC, then dress them up to be displayed as part of the Daley Plaza fashion show. Hours listed below include transport.  The event is 11:00 -2:00.

Volunteers are needed to help with city provided vaccine and microchip clinics at various locations around the city.

8-10 volunteers are needed to:

assist with registration, traffic/line control, and animal handling.

4-6 volunteers for registration

2-3 volunteers for crowd control

Important: Please arrive at 9:15 to help set-up.

All events are on Thursdays from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Dates and locations are listed below:

Vaccine and microchip clinic for the public.

Thursday, May 1, 2025          10a-1p               500 S. Central Ave.  

Thursday , May 22, 2025       10a-1p               2210 W. Pershing Rd.

Thursday, June 12, 2025         10a-1p              5046 S. State St.

Thursday, June 26, 2025         Cancelled

Thursday, July 24, 2025            10a-1p             607 E. Oakwood Blvd.

Thursday, August 7th, 2025      10 - 1.            6100 W. Fullerton (Riis Park)

Thursday, August 21, 2025       10a-1p           4901 S. Kilbourn Ave.   

Thursday, August 28, 2025       10a-1p            10355 S. Woodlawn Ave.

Saturday, August 30, 2025       10a-1p            1551 N. Kedzie Ave.

Thursday, September 11,         10a-1p            1401 S. Sacramento Dr.

Thursday, September 25,         10a-1p            4650 N. Pulaski Rd.

Thursday, October 16,              10a-1p            8359 S. Pulaski Rd. 

Saturday, October 25, 2025       10a-1p            1551 N. Kedzie Ave.

Corporate (or other group) volunteer days are a great way to spread the word about CACC and Safe Humane programs. Activities for our guest volunteers include a brief introduction to CACC and Safe Humane, meeting and socializing dogs, teaming up with a skilled handler to observe basic skills/behaviors, In-Kennel Enrichment, even cats, and more! Weather permitting, we love to spend time outside with the dogs. Dog handlers, cat volunteers and IKE folks are needed.

Upcoming groups and dates:

Safety National    Tuesday 8/12/2025     11-2

Chicago Police Department     Thursday 8/14/2025       12:30-2:30

Exelon/ComEd      Friday 8/15/2025          11-2

OKTA      Wednesday 8/20/2025       9-10:30

Marsh McClennan      Friday 8/22/2025         11:30-2:30

Allwyn          Thursday 8/28/2025         10:30-1:30

Exelon/ComEd     Friday 9/19/2025         11-2

Exelon/ComEd     Friday 10/17/2025       11-2

Exelon/ComEd     Friday 11/21/2025       11-2

Exelon/ComEd     Friday 12/19/2025        11-2

There is a Safe Humane class every Sunday at 10am, alternating between Manners Class and Canine Life and Social Skills.  The signup links (previously separate) are now merged and the schedule of classes is detailed below.  

All current walkers welcome...no other experience necessary.

SAFE HUMANE MANNERS - every other Sunday:  6/8/25, 6/22/25, 7/6/25, 7/20/25, 8/3/25, 8/17/25, 8/31/25, 9/14/25, 9/28/25, etc.

Work with dogs on their social skills, give them a chance to de-stress and/or engage with puzzles or other enrichment.  We provide a list of dogs OR you can spend some extended quality time with dogs you choose.

SAFE HUMANE CANINE LIFE AND SOCIAL SKILLS (C.L.A.S.S.) - every other Sunday:  6/15/25, 6/29/25, 7/13/25, 7/27/25, 8/10/25, 8/24/25, 9/7/25, 9/21/25, etc.

Work in a fun group atmosphere before walking hours begin.  Work with dogs on basic training and skills, tailored to individual dogs' needs, with the guidance of a Safe Humane trainer.  We provide a list of dogs or you can suggest others who may benefit.  

Spend time with the dogs in the pavilions giving them a little TLC through the bars.  You can distribute Kongs, do a little click for calm, spot clean, give treats, etc.

Daily dog walking shifts:

12:00pm - 3:00pm (8 shifts)

2:00pm - 5:00pm (8 shifts)

4:00pm - 6:00pm (8 shifts)

4:00pm - 7:00pm (8 shifts)

5:00pm - 7:00pm (10 shifts)

**12:00pm - 4:00pm on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day**

Active volunteers may bring friends and family to participate in an afternoon of In-Kennel Enrichment (IKE) with dogs...and cats, if you'd like.  

What is IKE? 

We provide positive social experience and mental enrichment (clicker training) to the dogs (and/or cats!) in their kennels.  We also do whatever we can to make each animal’s kennel environment as pleasant as it can be (spot clean, rinse and freshen water bowls, provide clean blankets, etc).  The impact of providing quality interaction and engagement in the kennel is enormous, especially when their experiences outside the kennel are limited.  

Safe Humane will provide the supplies and guidance for you to enjoy this activity with your guests.  Safe Humane will contact each of you directly to get a guest count and provide you with the necessary waivers for them.  

We are restarting Safe Humane's popular IKE program!  We will begin with select Tuesdays and/or Thursdays until we build a core team that will allow us to widen the audience and offer more dates and times. IKE will include dogs and cats and will focus on easy and impactful activities like Click for Calm and TLC, along with other forms of enrichment that can help provide positive experiences for animals in their kennels.  There is no experience necessary and this program is open to all active volunteers, as well as volunteers who are in-process.

Start the process to become an approved dog volunteer by attending an Introduction to Dog Walking class! 

Please note that any volunteer attending this seminar must have:

These classes are held IN PERSON in the CACC Auditorium

2741 S. Western Ave. 

Chicago, IL 60608

Questions? Email caccvolunteer@cityofchicago.org

Volunteers are able to sign up for all cat opportunities daily - an overview of the shifts is listed below!

Daily

12:00 - 3:00 pm

3:00 - 5:00 pm

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Get some of our most stressed out dogs a challenging physical and mental workout! This is one of the most effective ways to help our neediest dogs maintain their sanity and get some needed physical and mental exercise - so they can find the homes they deserve!

P.S. No experience is necessary. If this is your first time, you can shadow one of our more experienced agility volunteers who have already trained with Kristina. Meet Agility Squad Volunteer Lead, Ed Wang, near the back door in the south hallway at 9:55 to get paired up with an agility volunteer mentor. Thanks!

Dog walkers and in-kennel enrichment volunteers work together to rotate dogs from a pavilion in and out of the medical runs, giving each dog a brief walk and opportunity to eliminate, stretch their legs and enjoy some fresh air and change of scenery, then engage with volunteers in interactive enrichment activities during their time in the runs. The idea is to get a whole pavilion outside in a 2 - 2 1/2 hour period while giving each dog at least 20 minutes of interaction and outside enrichment.

At least two walkers and three IKE volunteers are needed for each shift but more are welcome. 

For the enrichment component, you do not need to be a dog walking volunteer, as the interaction is in-kennel.  You will need to learn the basics of "Click for Calm".  You can attend a separate "Click for Calm" workshop when they are offered, or you can ask for some 1:1 coaching from the medical run Lead on your shift.

Typically at least one IKE volunteer will be designated a 'floater' who can remove dogs, if needed, and offer alternative enrichment for dogs who are struggling in the medical run environment.

Runners/Floaters must be active dog walking volunteers.  If you want to become a medical run enrichment lead, you should be an active participant familiar with the flow, and shadow until ready to teach and lead the enrichment activities.

Help with playgroups by running dogs back and forth from pavilions.  Dog experience is necessary.

Dog walking shift prior to the shelter opening where the dogs get extended time out.

The CACC Community Services Representative, Sarah needs 2 or 3 interested volunteers who could help out with some of the following tasks one or two hours per week (perhaps coming in early before a dog walking shift around 11a.)   

- Sorting through deliveries and incoming/outgoing donations at the shelter  

- Helping to maintain, inventory and organize the Chicago Animal Care Helpful Essentials (CACHE) storage container in the north parking lot.  

- Meeting donors at the door to help collect their items when needed. ,

You can volunteer at the shelter between the hours of 12:00PM to 7:00PM almost any day of the year!

General Volunteer Information:

No matter what your experience level is, you will have the opportunities to provide hands-on care for the animals at CACC as well as other ways to help including:

 Requirements to volunteer at CACC:

One of the busiest times for adoptions at CACC is on weekdays between the hours of 3:00 and 6:00 PM and on weekends between 12:00 - 4:00 PM.  This "administrative assistant" calls for someone to help control the flow of members of the public in the waiting area.  Giving out applications, helping sort out who is adopting, picking up an adopted animal, or looking for their missing animal etc., is invaluable help to the CACC Front desk staff.