Volunteers

COME JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM!

Being a non-profit rescue, we rely soley on volunteers to make Starting Over Animal Rescue possible. Joining the volunteer team with SOAR, allows us to continue saving as many dogs and cats as we can, with the help of YOU!

Do you enjoy planning events and working with people? We are in need of volunteers to help us with our fundraising efforts. Any amount of time that you can spare will be much appreciated! For more information please email: [email protected]

Volunteers are always needed for various tasks including fundraising, attending rescue related events,  or cleaning and feeding the cats housed at Petco in Whitehall.

Kindly fill out the volunteer form below and either mail or email to:
P.O. Box 286
Schnecksville, PA 18078
[email protected]
SOAR Volunteer Application DOCX
SOAR Volunteer Application PDF

Fosters Wanted!

Another way you can volunteer is through foster care!
SOAR Foster Care Application

We are always in need of foster homes for cats, and kittens, dogs and puppies. If you are considering fostering please keep in mind that when fostering a cat or a kitten, a safe and secure area is required to allow them to exercise and acclimate to their new environment. Kittens need an area  where you can keep a cage filled with toys, food bowls and a litter box, separate from your own animals.  Dogs require  adequate space and should receive exercise a few times per day. If you foster a puppy you will be responsible to teach potty and crate training. All animals must be kept clean without disease and in a clean, tidy environment. See below for spotlights on just a few of our volunteers!

Meet Allison & Ashlyn!

Miss Ashlyn is currently one of SOAR’s youngest fosters, along with the help of her mom, Allison. Ashlyn wants to love “ALL of the kitties” and help them find homes and mommas of their own! Her favorite part of fostering is snuggling the kitties and telling them they are safe, and it will all be OK.

This fearless team is willing to help all of the cats and kittens in need, especially the scared little kittens who need to learn how to love and trust humans.

When Ashyln grows up she wants to be a kitty doctor!

Meet Karen & Cassandra!

This mother & daughter dynamic duo has a passion for cat rescue! Over the years they have helped to rescue hundreds of cats! Whether it is trapping cats via trap neuter and release, rescuing strays, or fostering kittens & cats, these two always have our furry friends best interests in mind!

Karen has been involved in animal rescue for over 30 years and introduced her daughter Cassandra to the rewarding practice when she was only 3 years old. Karen is a wealth of knowledge & experience, and strives to find the perfect home for all of SOAR’s rescued animals! Cassandra enjoys seeing the kittens grow, getting the perfect adoption photo, talking to potential new families, and updating SOAR’s Instagram page.

Meet Melissa!

“I started with SOAR in 2017 after my gray tiger, Scout, passed away. I always knew I wanted to help animals, but I never could have imagined the rewards I would receive. Volunteering with SOAR has fulfilled a hole in me that I didn’t know I had. I truly believe I have found my passion in life. The knowledge I have gained from my fellow volunteers and mentors at SOAR has had a tremendous impact on my life. I am now equipped to begin educating others, as I too continue to learn and grow.”

Meet Patty & Dave!

“Dave & I first met Gloria in 2008 and we adopted 3 kittens from her. Gloria was a hoot and we liked her immediately, as she told us it was Wednesday and it was adopt 2 kittens get one free! Over the next few years, we quickly learned about TNR and fostering; we just kept finding animals in need, and Gloria and her volunteers were kind enough to help us when we needed it.

Fostering & volunteering helped to fill a void I felt when my mother passed away in 2014; it gave me focus & helps to pass the time. We can not explain how rewarding & how good it feels to help and to feel like you are making a difference. I am constantly learning from my mentors & will forever be grateful to SOAR for getting me through a tough time and all the wonderful people & volunteers I have met along the way.” Dave is the booming voice behind Bingo calling, plays Santa for our holiday animal photos, & is the brawn behind trapping feral kittens.

Meet Rachel!

Rachel J. has been helping the kitties at Whitehall Petco since 2011!

“I originally started volunteering there with FURR and then joined SOAR in 2018. Pictured here with my cat Lola, who I adopted from FURR back in 2013.”

Meet Jackie!

Hi all, I’m Jackie! I am the face behind the website, with the help of Melissa!
My family adopted Lucy (white/black, heeler/lab mix) in May 2022 from SOAR, when our daughter was 4 months old. In Spring of 2023, we decided to give fostering a shot with a more local rescue, but quickly found out it’s a bit much with our schedules and lifestyle. So, when the opportunity to work with SOAR popped up in June 2023, I jumped! The void I was feeling by not being able to foster, was able to be filled in a different way. The volunteers and fosters within this rescue are such wonderful people and truly care for not only the animals, but one another. It has been such a fun experience working “behind the scenes” yet, right next to everyone. If you are thinking about joining a rescue, one way or another, join us! We’d love to have you!

Our Special Thanks to:

  • Dr. Lori Milot for your time and talent.
  • Foster Families and Volunteers!
  • Adopters
  • Donators
  • Living Things Pet Store for hosting our pet adoptions and donating food to us.
  • Kami at Living Things for all you do for us.
  • Alyson Andrews with ALL 4 PAWS Professional Pet Grooming
  • Carole at Fresh Pet who has helped us receive the many food donations.
  • The Stitching Witch for printing all T-Shirts and for donating to our events.
  • Petco, Whitehall PA – for allowing us to have a permanent place to showcase our animals.
  • Coal Cats Cafe – for giving a safe space for many of our adoptable cats & supporting our rescue!
Starting Over Animal Rescue