Can't adopt right now, but want to help?

Through the generosity and compassion of people like you, ASAP is saving thousands of shelter cats each year by providing them with veterinary care and a place to live until the right home comes along.

This includes daily care of all the cats at the shelter, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. All the adoptable cats entrusted to us by the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter will receive our care until ASAP finds homes for them.

There are several ways to volunteer, including taking care of the cats at the Shelter for a few hours each week, helping to prepare for fund-raising events, and providing temporary foster homes for kittens who are too young to remain at the shelter. Click here to download the Foster Form in pdf format.

All ASAP volunteers participate in routine cat care and upkeep of the facility, which may include feeding, cleaning cat cages, laundry, and housekeeping details.

As you become adept at handling cats and exhibit reliability in attendance, you may request training in:

• Grooming cats: Bathing, grooming and trimming claws takes experience in controlling cats to assure your own safety and that of the cat, as well as to make it a pleasant experience for both of you.

• Counseling: Assisting the public in the selection of a pet, advising the adopter on continued cat care and providing guidance in locating lost pets. Knowledge of County and ASAP adoption and redemption guidelines and procedures is required. In order to more quickly locate a cat, or fulfill the desires and requirements of the adopter, the counselor must be acquainted with the cats in the shelter and be adept at handling animals.

• Socializing cats: Providing cats with appropriate affectionate contact with people to modify behavior and make a cat more adoptable.

• Medicating cats: Medications are given twice daily to cats requiring treatment. Volunteers interested in medical care, who have exhibited sufficient skill in handling cats and have been reliable in attendance, will be trained in administering medications and be given a working knowledge of common terminology and drugs.

• Assisting the Veterinarian: Volunteers who are familiar with medicating cats, understand our usage of common drugs and terminology, have exhibited skill in controlling cats and have regular attendance, may be trained to become a part of the team that assists the veterinarian.

• Clerical assistance: Aiding in the maintenance of medical, veterinary and other records.

• Special events & fund raising: Volunteers participate in events such as our annual Catty Corner Gift Boutique. Contact an officer or board member to acquaint us with your talents and interest in participating in related endeavors.

• Lead of the Day: Makes the decisions, guided by ASAP and Santa Barbara County policies and procedures, and supervises volunteers to ensure levels of daily care are maintained. There are two Leads each day, am and pm. To qualify as a Lead, a volunteer must exhibit skill in handling cats and must be aware of County and ASAP policies and medical procedures. A significant amount of experience working in the shelter is required.

If you'd prefer to make a donation to ASAP, please visit our donation area.