Volunteer Vet techs and Veterinarians needed to support PAWS

The mission of PAWS is to preserve, support and nurture the human-animal bond for those most vulnerable in our community, through pet food, subsidized vet care, and volunteer supportive services; dog-walking, in-home cat care, transports to vet visits, and emergency pet fostering. All of our clients are low-income San Francisco residents who are seniors and/or living with a disabling illness or condition. We serve about 500 people and their 700 pets each year.

The role of the "Ask The Vet" Volunteer Vet Tech and Veterinarians is consult with clients and their pets.

WHEN: One Saturday/month (11am-1pm) OR one weekday/month (daytime; exact hours flexible)

WHERE: PAWS Office (3170 23rd Street, San Francisco)

Please complete a volunteer application here-

Veterinarian Requirements-

 Volunteer Veterinarians must be licensed in California

 Volunteer Veterinarians must carry their own malpractice insurance

 Minimum of 2 years experience working in a veterinary environment

 Able to perform animal restraint and animal handling tasks within a limited

clinic environment, with the support of a vet tech volunteer

 Sign up and attend at least 2 clinics over a 6-month period. Volunteers are

welcome to do more shifts than this if they able and available.

 Attend PAWS Volunteer Veterinary Committee meetings (2 hours long, at

least annually)

 Comfort working with PAWS client population

Duties-

 Provide basic exams and care (e.g. vital signs, physical exams, minor

wound care, administering ear drops, subcutaneous fluids, etc)

 Lift pets and provide animal restraint as needed (with vet tech support)

 Record consult visit details in records

 Perform nail trims and/or anal gland expressions

 Counsel/educate clients on pet health issues based on client questions

 Communicate with PAWS Care Navigators regarding client/pet issues

 Meet clients where they are at

Vet Tech Requirements-

 Veterinary Technician with a minimum of one year experience working in a

veterinary environment

 Comparable experience can be considered on a case-by-case basis for

individuals who are not Vet Techs

 Comfortable performing animal restraint and animal handling tasks within a

limited clinic environment (e.g. without extensive equipment or other

clinical staff besides the primary veterinarian)

 Sign up and attend at least 2 clinics over a 6-month period. Volunteers are

welcome to do more shifts than this if able and available

 Attend PAWS Volunteer Veterinary Committee meetings (2 hours, at least

annually)

 Comfortable working with PAWS client population

Duties-

 Sign in clients and their pets when they arrive

 Prepare paperwork for each client visit

 Assist the Veterinarian by lifting pets and providing animal restraint as

needed

 Provide basic treatment under the clinical direction of the Veterinarian

(e.g. minor wound care, administering ear drops, subcutaneous fluids,

etc.)

 Record documentation such as vital signs, as appropriate

 Assist with/perform nail trims and anal gland expressions, if trained to do

so and comfortable providing this service

 Meet clients where they are at