Definition of a Volunteer - a person who spends their time doing something
to give the regular person (who does it all the time) some time to do what
they have not gotten around to.
 
Suggested volunteer acts - trimming toenails, bathing ferrets, cleaning
litterboxes, sewing up holes in hammocks and other bedding materials,
mopping, sweeping, etc.  These usually do not require strict supervision -
and acts like "sewing" can be taken to another home to be accomplished.
If you set up a schedule at the shelter, then people can come to volunteer
as they have time and feel comfortable.
 
Example:
Sunday - Volunteers clean cages 3-5 PM because trash goes out Monday
         morning.  Shelter operator screens the weeks phone calls and
         makes appointments.
Monday - Take in ferrets from 7-9 PM - no volunteer work.
Tuesday - Adoption appointments 7-9 PM - no volunteer work.
Wednedsay - Volunteers help clean litterboxes and trim nails/baths 7-9 PM.
Thursday - Take in ferrets from 7-9 PM - no volunteer work.
Friday - Adoption appointments 7-9 PM - no volunteer work.
Saturday - Volunteer work 9-12 AM (have a pizza party once in awhile),
           take in ferrets from 1-3 PM, Adoption appointments 3-5 PM, take
           the evening off and go to a movie.
 
Set a schedule the volunteers know.  Set a schedule the public has to live
by.  Remember - the person running the shelter has a life (or should have)
outside of ferrets.  They will be doing a lot of cage cleaning and such
during the week on their own, but the volunteers can help by making a dent
all at once.
 
Definition of Fostering - Taking in a ferret for a period of time until it
can be permanently placed.
 
Suggested fostering acts - Keeping a ferret (young or old, healthy or ill)
until the shelter has more room or time to attend to it's personal needs or
can find it a permanent home.  Sometimes foster homes become that permanent
home.
[Posted in FML issue 2745]