Volunteering
Volunteering is critical to the work we do serving the animals that come to Bentonville Animal Services. Together, staff and volunteers ensure that animals in our care get exercise, mental stimulation, love and companionship. We involve volunteers in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
Dog walking
Cat socialization
Events
Adoption assistance
Pet photography & writing for pet bios
Cleaning/household tasks
Special projects
Volunteer Guidelines
The minimum age for volunteering is 13 years old. Between the ages of 13 and 15, a parent/legal guardian must be present at all times.
Volunteer opportunities are limited for those between the ages of 16 and 17.
Volunteers must submit an application, which includes signing a volunteer agreement and a Release and Waiver of Liability Form.
Complete an orientation session and tour of our building.
Volunteers must:
Be able to meet the volunteer requirements.
Treat all animals with kindness and concern for their welfare.
Represent yourself and Bentonville Animal Services in a professional manner and treat clients, staff, and other volunteers with respect.
Fostering
Fosters provide a temporary home for pets in our care while they are awaiting their forever home. Our foster parents are extremely essential to the animals at Bentonville Animal Services. We depend on their abilities to nurture, care and provide comfort for the animals at our facility. Fostering takes an individual that is dedicated, responsible and committed.
Listed below are different types of foster scenarios we usually encounter. We ask our foster parents to advise us on which situations they would be willing to foster.
Neonatals
Neonatal puppies and kittens, also referred to as Bottle Babies, are recently newborn animals that are brought into our facility without a mother. These babies are fragile and require more consistent care throughout the day and night. Bottle Babies are fed every 2-3 hours until they are old enough to eat solid food on their own.
Foster Parent Guidelines
Foster parents must be at least 18 years of age.
Fosters must own their home or have approval from their landlord.
Fosters must submit an application, which includes signing a fostering agreement and a Release and Waiver of Liability Form.
Complete an orientation, based upon the foster situation.
Supplies can be provided by Bentonville Animal Services.
Fosters must:
Be able to meet the foster parent requirements.
Treat all animals with kindness and concern for their welfare.
Represent yourself and Bentonville Animal Services in a professional manner and treat clients, staff, and other volunteers with respect.