Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer!
Compassionate, dedicated volunteers are essential to our programs and services across the organization, and it is important to us that volunteering be a meaningful experience for everyone who participates. In 2023, ACL Volunteers contributed over 14,000 hours of service! Volunteers do more than give up their free time to lend a hand, they make a difference in the lives of over 1200 animals that come through our doors each year. Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting our mission focused work.
We recruit new volunteers on an as needed basis giving us time to meet the hundreds of people who express interest and make sure they are placed in an appropriate role and properly trained before they begin.
We recruit new volunteers on an as needed basis giving us time to meet the hundreds of people who express interest and make sure they are placed in an appropriate role and properly trained before they begin.
Some Of The Ways Our Volunteers Can Get Involved:
Working with our Dogs, Cats, and Small Animals, Becoming an Active Foster Parent, Joining our Lost and Found Task Force to help unite lost pets with their families, Providing Support at our Events and Fundraisers, Helping at our 2nd Chance Thrift Store or Economy Shop, and more!
To get started, please follow the instructions below to read more about our various volunteer opportunities and sign up for the team or location that best matches your interests, skills and experience.
We are a small team and want to ensure that any new volunteers are the right fit for the particular role and that we are the right fit for you!
*Please note that any volunteer roles that are not currently on our Opportunity Directory we are not actively accepting applications for. However, feel free to reach out to our Volunteer Program Manager directly at [email protected] if you have professional animal handling experience in the shelter environment or a unique skill set you think we may have an immediate need for.
For corporate volunteering opportunities, please submit our Corporate Volunteer Application
Everyone is also invited to fill out our Foster Application– foster candidates are onboarded on a rolling basis and are always needed!
To get started, please follow the instructions below to read more about our various volunteer opportunities and sign up for the team or location that best matches your interests, skills and experience.
- Review the full Volunteer Role Description, Qualifications, and Process for the Volunteer Positions we are currently recruiting for here: Volunteer Opportunity Directory*!
- If any are the right role for you, submit your Volunteer application here or directly on the opportunity directory! You can expect to hear back from us within 48-72 hours about the next steps which may include an invitation for an interview.
- The interview gives us, and the potential volunteer, an opportunity to review ACL's volunteer needs as well as the volunteer's skills and interests. If it is a good fit, you will be invited to attend new volunteer orientation and any training corresponding to the volunteer roles you are interested in!
We are a small team and want to ensure that any new volunteers are the right fit for the particular role and that we are the right fit for you!
*Please note that any volunteer roles that are not currently on our Opportunity Directory we are not actively accepting applications for. However, feel free to reach out to our Volunteer Program Manager directly at [email protected] if you have professional animal handling experience in the shelter environment or a unique skill set you think we may have an immediate need for.
For corporate volunteering opportunities, please submit our Corporate Volunteer Application
Everyone is also invited to fill out our Foster Application– foster candidates are onboarded on a rolling basis and are always needed!
Important Volunteer Program Requirements
Due to the nature of our work, we have basic minimum requirements of all of our volunteers in order for them to function safely in our environment and interact appropriately with the public, staff, clients and other volunteers.
If you have questions about volunteer projects/ways to get involved for those under 18 please email us at [email protected]
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older
- Applicants must be able to complete their own application
- Applicants must possess the ability to act professionally, exercise sound judgement, respond quickly and appropriately to circumstances, comprehend rules and directions and to be able to follow them appropriately, work independently and self-direct
- Volunteers understand that an animal shelter is a fast paced environment with lots of variables and volunteering is at their own risk. Volunteers are highly encouraged to hold individual health insurance before considering volunteering.
- Volunteers are asked to commit to volunteering for a minimum of 15 hours per quarter
If you have questions about volunteer projects/ways to get involved for those under 18 please email us at [email protected]
For other questions or general information about becoming a volunteer, or for information on corporate volunteer days please contact our volunteer manager at [email protected] or 708-848-8155 x118