Welcome and thank you for your interest in volunteering at Caring for Cats!

Support our mission. Share your skills. Help more cats find their forever homes.

About Caring for Cats:
Caring for Cats is a no-kill, volunteer-driven, non-profit cat shelter located in North St. Paul, MN. For 26 years, we’ve provided a safe, homelike environment where cats can roam, play, and receive the love and care they deserve while they wait to find their forever families. Our bright and welcoming shelter is cat-centric in every way. Every adoptable feline lives onsite and enjoys daily enrichment, socialization, and attention from our dedicated team of volunteers. We are proud to be a community-supported organization committed to the health, happiness, and adoption of every cat in our care.

About the Role:
We are currently seeking compassionate, mission-aligned individuals to join our Board of Directors. This is a volunteer leadership position that helps guide the strategic direction of the organization and ensures the long-term sustainability of our work. Board members are stewards of the shelter’s mission, advocates in the community, and champions of good governance, financial health, and ethical practices.

Board members attend quarterly board meetings (held remotely), participate in strategic planning, and contribute their skills, expertise, and networks to advance the shelter’s mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Help set the strategic direction of the organization and monitor progress toward our mission

• Provide fiduciary oversight by reviewing and approving budgets, financial reports, and organizational policies

• Serve as an ambassador for Caring for Cats in your community

• Participate actively in board meetings and serve on committees as needed

• Support fundraising efforts through outreach, donations, or introductions

• Actively contribute to a collaborative and respectful board culture

• Ensure accountability, transparency, and alignment with nonprofit best practices

Ideal Candidates Will:

• Be passionate about animal welfare and community-driven work

• Have experience or interest in nonprofit governance, fundraising, operations, or advocacy

• Bring diverse perspectives and a collaborative spirit

• Be able to commit to attending quarterly board meetings and supporting the organization between meetings

• Be willing to learn, share ideas, and help us continue growing as a trusted resource for cats and the people who care for them

Term and Time Commitment:
Meetings are held quarterly, with occasional committee work or follow-up outside of meetings.

If you’re a thoughtful, values-driven individual ready to make a meaningful impact in the animal welfare space, we’d love to hear from you. Please send a brief letter of interest and your resume to CFC@caringforcatsmn.org.

Caring for Cats (CFC) is dedicated to improving the lives of animals in transition to loving homes through education, direct shelter care, and other means.

In an effort to promote these purposes, volunteers are required to follow policies and procedures which support the efficient operation of CFC. These policies and procedures also benefit and protect individual rights while supporting the shelter animals.

Volunteers are required to abide by CFC’s Code of Conduct at all times. Adherence to the Code of Conduct is a condition of engagement as a CFC volunteer, and violation of the Code may result in dismissal.

Code of Conduct Expectations

☑️ In the interest of both others and the shelter animals, fully commit to the responsibility of your volunteer assignment(s). This responsibility includes consistently showing up for scheduled shifts and proactively communicating any absences to the shift lead or volunteer coordinator.

☑️ Treat all individuals with a sense of dignity, respect, and worth. Make a personal commitment to be nonjudgmental about cultural differences, living conditions, and the life-style of other volunteers and shelter patrons. Agree to cooperative and inclusive behavior with other volunteers, shelter management, and the Board of Directors.

☑️ Individual political, cultural, or religious beliefs should remain personal and are not appropriate topics for discussion at the shelter. Refrain from bringing these topics into the shelter through verbal statements, clothing, documents, e-mails, postings, or any other form of communication.

☑️ Do not use profane or abusive language, and refrain from disruptive behavior that is dangerous to shelter patrons, other volunteers, shelter management, or members of the Board of Directors.

☑️ Address ethical concerns by speaking directly with the colleague with whom you have the concern; when necessary, report ethical concerns to the lead volunteer on your shift, or to a board member.

☑️ Abstain from the use of photo, audio or video recording equipment unless authorized by the lead volunteer on your shift, or a board member.

☑️ Respect all confidential information. Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as a volunteer, whether this information involves a single staff member, volunteer, adopter, or other person. This responsibility continues even if the volunteer is no longer actively serving with the shelter.

☑️ Respect and use all shelter equipment appropriately and as required for your assignment. Do not engage in negligent or intentional destruction of CFC property. Abstain from the use of equipment/resources for personal use.

☑️ Do not use tobacco in or around the shelter premises as Caring for Cats is a smoke-free organization. Strong smoke smell is prohibited and volunteers may be sent home. Please wear clean, smoke-free clothing.

☑️ Do not use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during any work shifts or shelter-related events, and abstain from all illegal activity. Report suspicious activities to the lead volunteer on your shift, or a board member.

☑️ Wear clothing that is suitable for the work environment. Clothing should not contain offensive or objectionable material (slogans or graphics).

☑️ Follow safe workplace practices, including participation in applicable education sessions, using appropriate personal safety equipment, and reporting accidents, injuries, and unsafe situations. Abstain from the violation of any safety rules or endangering the health or safety of any other person or shelter animal.