Volunteer

join our cat-loving community

Step into the joyful world of Wired Whisker as a volunteer, where you can combine your love for cats and coffee to make a tangible difference in our furry residents' lives and community.

Wired Whisker is in search of volunteers! If you are passionate about cats and want to make a difference, please consider volunteering with us and contributing to a community that truly values our feline friends.

STEP 1: Review our volunteer positions, role requirements, FAQs and purrks below to see if volunteering at Wired Whisker sounds like a good fit for you!

STEP 2: Once we receive your application, our team will be in touch within one week to discuss next steps! Most volunteer positions require on-site training, which will take place at Wired Whisker (1823 E Superior Street, Duluth, MN, 55812) on a recurring basis on Mondays when the cafe is closed.

STEP 3: Attend on-site training (if applicable)! During training, volunteers will receive access to our volunteer scheduling platform and instructions on how to set availability and pick up volunteer shifts! On-site training time commitment: 90 minutes

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Free Coffee

Receive one free coffee or tea during each on-site shift

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Caretaking

Work with and care for adorable and adoptable cats

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Private Events

Enjoy fun team events hosted by Wired Whisker

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Community

Join like-minded folks who love cats as much as you do

volunteer requirements

  • Age 18+ (Cat Lounge Volunteers, Transport Volunteers)

  • Age 16+ (Cleaning Crew Volunteers; minors must be accompanied by an adult during every volunteer shift)

  • Must have experience caring for and handling cats (bonus points for cat fostering and volunteering at rescues!)

  • Be able to work in an environment with cats (no allergies)

  • Excellent customer service skills + communication skills

  • Strong observation skills and ability to understand cat behavior

  • Responsive to scheduling communication via email

  • Compassionate and patient demeanor with both cats and visitors

  • Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and perform physical tasks such as bending, stooping, and standing for long periods of time

  • Be comfortable speaking to a group of people (Cat Lounge Volunteer)

Become a volunteer at Wired Whisker!

volunteer positions

  • person high five with cat

    Cat Lounge Volunteer

    The role of Cat Lounge Volunteer is vital to providing an ideal environment for our cafe cats and customers. In this role, you will spend most of your time in the cat lounge, and welcome visitors into the cat lounge. The role involves maintaining cleanliness, managing litter boxes, ensuring constant food and water supplies, and acting as a resource person for visitors to the cat lounge. You'll offer detailed insights about our resident cats, the adoption process and general cat behavior to foster a strong bond between visitors and our feline friends.

    Time Commitment
    2 hours per week
    7am-7pm shifts available Tues. - Sun.

    Volunteers Per Shift
    1 volunteer

    Role Requirements
    Age 18+

  • Transport Volunteer

    The role of the Transport Volunteer is pivotal in our mission of connecting adoptable rescue cats with loving forever homes. In this role, you will facilitate the safe transportation of cats and supplies (adoption bags, food, litter, etc.) from Animal Allies to Wired Whisker to ensure that these furry friends receive the necessary care and support they need on their journey to their new digs at Wired Whisker. As a Cat Transport Volunteer, you become an essential link in the chain of compassion, facilitating happy endings for both cats and their future human companions.

    Time Commitment
    0-2 hours per week

    Volunteers Per Shift
    1-2 volunteers

    Role Requirements
    Valid Minnesota Driver’s License
    Reliable vehicle
    Age 18+

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    Cleaning Crew Volunteer

    Join us on Mondays when the cafe is closed to help us maintain a clean and comfortable environment for our resident cats. The role of the Cleaning Crew Volunteer includes laundering cat beds and blankets, cleaning and sanitizing litter boxes, restocking cat food and supplies, sweeping/mopping, and organizing cat toys and play areas. This opportunity is perfect for cat lovers looking to volunteer in groups. If you are comfortable with hands-on cleaning tasks and want to hang out with the cats on their day off, consider joining our cleaning crew!

    Time Commitment
    2 hours per week
    Mondays Only

    Volunteers Per Shift
    2-6 volunteers

    Role Requirements
    Age 16+
    Minors must be accompanied by an adult

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    Purr-tographer & Meow-dia Volunteer

    As a Purr-tographer & Meow-dia Volunteer at Wired Whisker, you'll have the delightful task of capturing the essence of our feline friends, menu items, and the cozy ambiance of our cafe through your lens. Your role involves taking high-quality, adorable photos and videos of our cats in action - be it playing, snoozing, or showing off their unique personalities. These captivating visuals will be showcased on Wired Whisker's business website, social media channels, and at various events to engage our community and attract more visitors and supporters. If you have a passion for photography, a love for cats, and a knack for social media, join our team of cat loving volunteers!

    Time Commitment
    1-2 hours per week

    Number of Volunteers
    2-3 volunteers

    Role Requirements
    Age 18+

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    Event Planning Volunteer

    As an Event Planning Volunteer at Wired Whisker, your role is vital to expanding our presence and connection within the local pet-focused community. You will be entrusted with researching and identifying local events, fairs, and gatherings where Wired Whisker can shine and share its love for cats with a wider audience. This includes finding opportunities for us to attend, participate in, or even sponsor events that align with our mission to celebrate and support feline friends. Your efforts will help Wired Whisker become a beacon for cat lovers in the area, fostering community engagement and promoting our unique cat cafe experience. If you're organized, enthusiastic about event planning, and passionate about bringing people together for the love of cats, this role is your chance to make a real impact.

    Time Commitment
    0-2 hours per week

    Role Requirements
    Age 18+

  • Volunteer Coordinator

    As the Volunteer Coordinator at Wired Whisker, you play a crucial role in ensuring our furry friends receive the love and care they deserve through the seamless coordination of our volunteer team. Your responsibilities include overseeing the recruitment and management of active volunteers, as well as supporting the weekly scheduling of volunteer shifts to ensure smooth operation of the cafe. Your organizational skills and ability to communicate effectively will be key in creating an environment where volunteers feel valued and motivated. This role is perfect for someone who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of cats and the community, and who thrives on teamwork and collaboration. Join us at Wired Whisker to lead our volunteer team towards creating the most welcoming and cat-friendly cafe experience in town.

    Time Commitment
    2-4 hours per week

    Role Requirements
    Age 18+

FAQs

  • It depends on the type of volunteer role, but volunteer shifts are typically between 1-2 hours.

  • Yes! Training will be provided.

  • We appreciate any number of shifts you are willing to give but request a commitment of at least two, two-hour shifts per month.

  • Yes! Volunteers receive one free coffee or tea of their choice on each shift at the cafe to thank them for their time.

  • Volunteers will be monitoring the cat lounge independently, and carry lots of responsibility for our cats and our guests.

  • Yes! There will be a variety of different volunteer positions and opportunities to support the cafe throughout the year and will be shared on our website.