Volunteer: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (AND ANSWERS)

How Do I Become a Volunteer?

You must mail or fax us a completed application, attend an information meeting and an orientation.

Who Can Be a Volunteer?

  • We offer several volunteer programs that include: Adults (18 years+), Juniors (15-18 years), Mobile Outreach (any active volunteer), Companion Animal Program (18 years +), and Barks & Books (15 years +).

  • For 13-14 year olds, we offer a Summer Workshop Program through our Education Department. All participants receive volunteer credit.

What Can a Volunteer Do?

A volunteer can help in the following ways:

  • ADOPTION COUNSELOR - After additional classes and extensive training in the kennels, adopts animals available for placement both at the shelter and in the Mobile Unit.

  • BARKS & BOOKS - Offers children the opportunity to read animal related short stories of their choice to your companion animal.

  • BEHAVIOR VOLUNTEER - Assist with dog training classes; help assess behavior of shelter animals; participate in animal handling and behavior workshops. Train shelter animals to make them more adoptable.

  • COMPANION ANIMAL PROGRAM - Take your own well-socialized pets to visit with residents of convalescent homes & hospitals, and other special care facilities.

  • DOG/CAT SOCIALIZER - Provide support by socializing animals in the shelter's kennels and cat ward. Greeting & assisting in the public.

  • FOSTER CARE - After application and screening by Health Staff, takes young or injured animals home for one-on-one care and returns animals to shelter for adoption or release.

  • HEALTH/CLINIC STAFF ASSISTANT - Assist with preparations and aftercare for spay/neuter surgery; help health staff administer vaccinations and treatments and care for sick and injured animals.

  • LOST AND FOUND PET AIDE - Works to reunite owners with their lost pets through kennel inspection, newspaper ads, etc.

  • MOBILE UNIT After orientation, help bring adoptable animals to public events on out 32 foot Mobile Outreach Unit.

  • OFFICE ASSISTANT - Assist office staff by answering phones, filing and processing mailings, computer data entry, pet supply sales & displays.

  • STEP UP - Take shelter dogs for walks in the park. Learn how to read canine body language, recognize signs of disease; safely and humanely handle dogs; collar leash and teach dogs to walk nicely on leash.

  • VETERINARIAN'S ASSISTANT - Helps Vet with basic care of sick or injured animals, assist in surgery area.

  • WILDLIFE ASSISTANT - Assist with temporary care of wildlife at our shelter, including preparing food, feeding, cleaning and transportation to rehabilitation centers.