Batavia Volunteer Fair

in 4 days

When

Tuesday, April 28th 2026 at 14:00 US/Central

SAYv Animal Organization is excited to be attending the Batavia Volunteer Fair, hosted by the Batavia Chamber of Commerce at the Batavia Public Library. Stop by our booth to learn how you can make a life-saving difference for homeless dogs and cats in your community.

For this event, we are hoping to find:

🐾 PetSmart Geneva volunteers – Help care for adoptable cats, assist with adoptions, and represent SAYv at our PetSmart adoption center. Learn more here: sayvanimals.org/volunteer

🏡 Foster pet parents – Open your home temporarily to kittens, moms with babies, or cats needing a safe place before adoption. Learn more here: sayvanimals.org/foster

Whether you have a few hours a month or want to foster, there’s a place for everyone at SAYv.

Stop by our booth to:

Meet SAYv volunteers
Learn about fostering
Ask questions about PetSmart Geneva shifts
Sign up to get involved
Help us save more lives

Together, we can give more cats the second chance they deserve. 💛

FAQ Did you know?

Animals Adoption Community Local Awareness

Where

10 South Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL, USA

To attend this event and discover more service opportunities, please login.

Organizer

SAYv Animal Organization

SAYv Animal Organization is a startup animal welfare organization focused on supporting, creating and executing life-SAYving solutions for homeless animals.

FAQ

How can I sign up to volunteer or foster at the Batavia Volunteer Fair?

Stop by the SAYv booth to sign up in person or scan the QR codes we’ll have available for immediate online registration. Bring a photo ID and your preferred contact method. If you prefer to prepare ahead, fill out the volunteer or foster interest forms at sayvanimals.org/volunteer and sayvanimals.org/foster — the team will follow up with orientation details, required paperwork, and available shifts.

What should I bring to the booth to be most effective?

Bring your smartphone for quick sign-up and to scan QR codes, a list of your availability, and any questions you want answered. If you’re considering fostering, bring notes on your household (other pets, children, housing restrictions) and any relevant experience. If you plan to donate supplies, bring cash or a card; we’ll also accept links to wishlists and online donations. Comfortable shoes and a reusable water bottle help you stay energized while talking with visitors.

I’m interested in fostering—what should I ask and how should I prepare?

Ask about typical foster lengths, who pays for medical care, what supplies/training the organization provides, protocols for sick or nursing animals, and expectations for socialization and updates. Prepare a quiet, safe space in your home (carrier, bed, litter, food), plan for possible vet appointments, and consider whether you can isolate a foster from resident pets if needed. SAYv typically provides support and guidance—confirm reimbursement policies and point-of-contact before taking an animal home.

If I can’t foster or take on a regular shift, how can I still help the cause effectively at the event?

Micro-volunteer options include sharing adoption posts on social media, distributing flyers, signing up to transport animals to events or vet appointments, volunteering at occasional adoption events, fostering short-term 'on-call', or donating needed supplies. You can also offer administrative help (data entry, phone follow-ups) or host a virtual fundraiser. Ask the booth volunteers which small tasks are most needed right now.

Are there any health or safety precautions I should follow while volunteering or interacting with animals at the fair?

Avoid attending if you’re feeling unwell. Wash or sanitize your hands before and after handling animals, and only handle pets when a trained volunteer is present. If you have allergies or asthma, bring medications and consider wearing a mask. Don’t bring your own pets to the booth to reduce stress and disease risk for adoptable animals. If the event is outdoors, dress for the weather and bring sunscreen and water; if indoors, observe any venue guidelines about capacity or masking.

Did you know?

About 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters each year—volunteers and fosters help shelters manage this inflow and find permanent homes faster.

https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics

Foster care dramatically improves survival and adoption chances for kittens and cats by providing individualized care, socialization, and a less stressful environment than shelters.

https://bestfriends.org/resources/foster-care

Even small commitments—just a few hours a month or a few hours a week—make a measurable difference: regular volunteer shifts provide daily care, enrichment, and staffing that directly improve animal welfare.

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/volunteering-your-local-animal-shelter

Socialization and enrichment provided by volunteers reduce stress and illness in shelter animals and increase their likelihood of adoption.

https://www.sheltermedicine.com/library/resources/behavior/environmental-enrichment

Neonatal and young kittens receive much better survival outcomes in foster homes where they can get round‑the‑clock feeding and care than in high‑stress shelter environments.

https://bestfriends.org/resources/kitten-care-guide

You don’t need prior animal-care experience to help—shelters and rescues need many roles (transport, admin, fundraising, supplies, photography) so nearly anyone can contribute meaningfully.

https://www.aspca.org/volunteer