Volunteers that are currently involved or were involved in the past can also share a lot of useful information. Look online for shelters near your home or office. Consider the distance from your home, the type of animal, and the needs of a given shelter. If two animal shelters are right next to each other, but one of them is in more urgent need of volunteers: it may be best to choose that shelter. Find out what manners, tools and processes are used in a given shelter, what their yards and setups look like, how animals are socialized and interacted with, and so on.
Ask about volunteer programs on- and off-site. Most shelters need people to help in the facility: walking dogs, handling cats, and grooming various animals. However, many shelters also have off-site adoption events or fundraisers with which you might be able to help. If you have any special skills that relate to shelter work: tell the shelter! Volunteers can provide website support, offer legal aid, donate medical services, photograph adoptable animals for the adoption websites, or even create and donate original art for sale to benefit the shelter.
Don’t be shy! Ask the staff any questions you have about volunteering. If possible, talk directly to the owner or an employee of the shelter. An employee or current volunteer will usually reach out to the owner for you if he/she isn’t available when you’re around.
You may have to complete a criminal background check. Shelters want to make sure that their volunteers are trustworthy people. Look for a phone number if you can’t find an application. Call the shelter and ask whether they are looking for volunteers. Alternately: simply visit the shelter in person when you have a free afternoon.
Be at least 16 (sometimes 18) years of age. If you are under that age, some shelters run family volunteer programs where parents and children come in to work together. Check in with several shelters. If you aren’t old enough to volunteer at one center, you might be old enough to volunteer at another. Be able to commit to a long-term volunteer position. Some shelters require a commitment as long as a year, so that they know it’s worth their time to train you. Many shelters require a minimum of one regularly-scheduled shift every other week. Shifts may run for two hours or longer, depending on how much work needs to be done. Be able to fulfill the physical duties. Most volunteer roles require that you are able to stand or walk for up to 3 hours. You should be able to lift 20 or more pounds. Be able to hear, see, and interpret animal behavior and body language. This is most important if you’ll be working directly with animals. Be able to keep a positive attitude. It can be hard to emotionally handle a stressful workplace.
Do anything else that the shelter says you need to do before starting. For example, you may need to vaccinate yourself against common animal-transmitted diseases.
Pet food, pet treats, feeding items, and bowls. Blankets, towels, or padding or bedding for cages. Try going to a local hotel and asking them for their stained linens. Disinfectants, grooming items, and newspaper for puppy training and cleaning. Toys, scratching posts, balls, and toys.
