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Volunteering at Animal Friends
Animal Friends’ volunteers find that there is a niche to match every interest. Whether helping to socialize and care for the homeless dogs, cats and rabbits or greeting visitors, helping with special events, working in our retail shop, helping with fundraising and marketing, or taming our 13.5 sprawling acres, volunteers are a major part of Animal Friends’ success.
The volunteer corps at Animal Friends is a varied lot, ranging from youth volunteers who come with a parent to busy professionals and committed senior citizens. Some contribute a few hours each month, and others are at the shelter nearly as often as the staff. All share in Animal Friends’ mission, and can often be found excitedly discussing the adoption of a long-time resident or a milestone in the animal’s progress from a sometimes dismal start to a happy ending.
Volunteers receive special perks and incentives, including an annual volunteer recognition banquet, social networking opportunities and benefits in our retail store.
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Flexible Hours
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Hours Recognition Program
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Awards and Annual Appreciation Banquet
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The knowledge that you are doing great things for animals in need!
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Be at least 18 years old to work with dogs, 16 to work with cats and rabbits, or 13 years of age accompanied by a parent or guardian to work with the animals. (Note: Only the parents of children under 18 are the ones permitted to walk the dogs.) We’re sorry; we cannot accept volunteers under the age of 13 for insurance/liability reasons, even if accompanied by a parent. Please refer to our Education and Kids’ Corner page for information on programming and opportunities for younger students. -
Attend both orientation sessions in full, and, if choosing animal-related work, attend appropriate animal handling workshops.
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Be able to read and write English and be able to take directions from staff, or be accompanied by someone who is. (All Parents/Guardians/Support Staff must also complete the orientation process and register to become an active volunteer).
Apply now!
Contact our Volunteer Department
412.847.7037
volunteering@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org
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Volunteer Opportunities
As an Animal Friends volunteer, you can work hands-on with the animals.
Dog walking and training
Cat feeding and socializing
Rabbit wrangling
Fostering a pet or a litter who needs extra help (Click here to learn more about fostering)
Volunteers are also needed in other ways.
Classroom presentations
Reading with Rover reading teams
Pet-Assisted Therapy visits to local hospitals and nursing homes
Care and landscaping of our facility and trails
Winter straw and blanket deliveries
Manning booths at off-site adoption events
Selling raffle tickets
Working at special events
Clerical work, from envelope stuffing to data entry
Help Wanted! We have an immediate need for:
Join us at our community events throughout the area to showcase our adoptable animals and inform the public of our mission and programs. We also need volunteers to visit the cats at our PetSmart Charities locations. Any volunteer who has taken our cat handling class may visit the residents of participating PetSmart locations during their hours of operation.
Work with children in our community to help ensure they become caring, responsible pet owners. Our volunteers give presentations in their local schools with their own authorized companion animals and at the shelter with approved shelter residents. Help is needed throughout the week and on weekends as well. If you are a vet tech who is interested in teaching Girl Scouts several Saturdays throughout the year, let us know! Lesson plan and materials are provided.
We really need your help! We are always in need of foster homes for our dogs, cats and rabbits. Foster guardians allow us to provide extra care for more of our animal friends. Please consider opening your hearts and homes to our animals. Make a difference from home-- make a call to Animal Friends to join our next foster class! Learn more.
The more socialization our animals have, the more adoptable they become. Join our volunteer corps and spend some quality time giving our residents some quality care. Register online today by clicking the hyperlink below to access an online application!
Note: Many activities require specific training post-orientation, which we are happy to provide!
Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering
Do you have any volunteer opportunities right now?
Animal Friends is always accepting new volunteers! Simply complete an online volunteer application, and you’ll receive an e-mail response explaining our volunteer orientation process and how to register for your first session. At your first orientation session, you’ll learn more about the great variety of volunteer job opportunities we have both on-site and off-site!When can I volunteer?
The best part about volunteering, besides the interactions with our furry residents, is the flexible schedule! Once you complete the two-session orientation process, you may volunteer with us between 10 am and 8 pm every day; no schedule sign-ups are required for current volunteers to do basic animal handling. We do offer other on and off-site volunteer opportunities that may require you to sign-up prior to the event.
How much time do I have to volunteer to stay active?
Volunteers are asked to give at least five hours of service a month to stay active. This ensures you stay up-to-date with new policies and procedures, as well as upcoming events needing volunteer support.
I am a student. Can I complete my community service hours at Animal Friends?
Yes, we’d love to have you! Students completing community service hours with us must go through the normal volunteer orientation process. Feel free to make an appointment with the Volunteer Coordinator if you need paperwork completed for your service hours. Hours reports may also be requested if they are required by your school.
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