Volunteers do more than give up their free time to lend a hand, they make a difference in the lives of the animals in our care. Volunteers act as an extension of our staff. They give us the extra man power needed to care for more animals, find more homes, and to grow our programs. Animal Care League volunteers provided more than 11,000 hours of service in our shelter last year and contributed countless hours outside of our doors. New volunteers are requested to attend an information meeting so you can learn just who we are, what we do, how we do it and answer all you questions about HOW YOU CAN HELP! Click here to see upcoming information meeting dates and times and to sign up to attend.
Animal Care League is very appreciative of our volunteers and we take the program as well as the time and dedication given to us through that program very seriously. That being said, we do have basic requirements of all of our volunteers in order for them to function safely in our environment and interact appropriately with the public, the staff, and other volunteers. If a volunteer shows that they do not possess any of the following, they would not be considered an appropriate candidate and ACL does reserve the right to not assign the volunteer to the schedule and end the relationship. Those basic requirements include (but are not limited to) 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, and work independently and self-direct.
Animal Care League is very appreciative of our volunteers and we take the program as well as the time and dedication given to us through that program very seriously. That being said, we do have basic requirements of all of our volunteers in order for them to function safely in our environment and interact appropriately with the public, the staff, and other volunteers. If a volunteer shows that they do not possess any of the following, they would not be considered an appropriate candidate and ACL does reserve the right to not assign the volunteer to the schedule and end the relationship. Those basic requirements include (but are not limited to) 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, and work independently and self-direct.
ACL also offers internship opportunities for college students interested in receiving academic credit.
Visit our internship page to learn more!
Visit our internship page to learn more!
Volunteer Opportunities
(18 years and older)
There are many ways to get involved. We are always looking for volunteers of all skill levels, and will equip you with the necessary training before you begin so you can start your first day with confidence! Volunteers help with everything from laundry to special events! Read about all of our volunteer opportunities below.
Dog Walking/Socialization - Dog volunteers can train to work with the dogs in the adoption kennels. Volunteers walk dogs, provide much needed exercise and interaction for our animals, assist with cleaning, as well as help promote the adoptable animals in our program. Minimum dedication: 6 hours/month
Cat Care/Socialization - Cat volunteers help give cats in our care the quality time they need. They assist with grooming, socializing, as well as helping to promote the cats available for adoption. Minimum dedication: 6 hours/month
Small Animal Care/Socialization - We are always looking for volunteers with small animal experience or even an interest in learning. Small animal volunteers help to socialize, clean, exercise, and promote the adoptable rabbits, guinea pigs, and occasional other residents in our care. Minimum dedication: 6 hours/month
Clinic Assistants - temporarily unavailable. ACL not only cares for animals housed at our shelter, we also strive to help prevent unwanted litters of puppies and kittens, assist in keeping owned companion animals healthy, and improve the chances that lost pets find their way home. You can get a behind-the-scenes look at the medical side of the shelter by volunteering in our clinic! Clinic Assistants will help sanitize the clinic, clean medical tools, assist with medical paperwork, and check in/out clients.
Office Assistant - If dog slobber is not your thing, there are many other ways to help! Animal Care League is always looking for volunteers to help with data entry, mailings, answering phones, filing, and other office duties that keep ACL going. If you have experience with data entry and are computer savvy please let us know! Minimum dedication: 2-3 hours/week, scheduled shifts
2nd Chance Shop - The 2nd Chance Shop is a resale shop benefiting the Animal Care League. Shop volunteers help sort, price, and merchandise donations. They also assist customers and help with sales and promotions. Have customer service, retail, or merchandising experience? This is the opportunity for you! Minimum dedication: 4 hours/month, scheduled shifts
Greeter - Greeters play a crucial role in directing traffic, answering questions, taking applications, and working with potential adopters during our busiest adoption hours. ACL is always looking for volunteers who love people as much as they do animals to fill this role! Minimum dedication: 2-3 hours/week, scheduled shifts
Transport - ACL often relies on volunteers to donate their wheels and time for different transport reasons. You can transport anything from animals to donated goods! Transport volunteers must have a valid drivers license and proof of insurance. Minimum dedication: As needed
Offsite Adoption Events - Offsite volunteers are our remote adoption team. They assist with transport, set up, break down, animal handling, and talking with potential adopters. Offsite events are a fun way to promote our animals and our organization throughout the community. Minimum dedication: As needed
Adoption Counseling - Volunteers can train to become adoption counselors. Being a part of setting an animal up for success in its new home is a rewarding experience! Adoption counselors coach new adopters on proper care, responsibilities, and information about the individual animals. Minimum dedication: As needed
Fostering - The foster program allows us to care for more animals then we typically would within our shelter walls. Foster parents help temporarily house sick, injured, under-aged or under-socialized animals until they are ready for adoption. They also help by housing animals in preparation for major adoption events. For more information on becoming a foster parent please e-mail foster@animalcareleague.org. Dedication: As needed, typically for 14-20 days
Dog Walking/Socialization - Dog volunteers can train to work with the dogs in the adoption kennels. Volunteers walk dogs, provide much needed exercise and interaction for our animals, assist with cleaning, as well as help promote the adoptable animals in our program. Minimum dedication: 6 hours/month
Cat Care/Socialization - Cat volunteers help give cats in our care the quality time they need. They assist with grooming, socializing, as well as helping to promote the cats available for adoption. Minimum dedication: 6 hours/month
Small Animal Care/Socialization - We are always looking for volunteers with small animal experience or even an interest in learning. Small animal volunteers help to socialize, clean, exercise, and promote the adoptable rabbits, guinea pigs, and occasional other residents in our care. Minimum dedication: 6 hours/month
Clinic Assistants - temporarily unavailable. ACL not only cares for animals housed at our shelter, we also strive to help prevent unwanted litters of puppies and kittens, assist in keeping owned companion animals healthy, and improve the chances that lost pets find their way home. You can get a behind-the-scenes look at the medical side of the shelter by volunteering in our clinic! Clinic Assistants will help sanitize the clinic, clean medical tools, assist with medical paperwork, and check in/out clients.
Office Assistant - If dog slobber is not your thing, there are many other ways to help! Animal Care League is always looking for volunteers to help with data entry, mailings, answering phones, filing, and other office duties that keep ACL going. If you have experience with data entry and are computer savvy please let us know! Minimum dedication: 2-3 hours/week, scheduled shifts
2nd Chance Shop - The 2nd Chance Shop is a resale shop benefiting the Animal Care League. Shop volunteers help sort, price, and merchandise donations. They also assist customers and help with sales and promotions. Have customer service, retail, or merchandising experience? This is the opportunity for you! Minimum dedication: 4 hours/month, scheduled shifts
Greeter - Greeters play a crucial role in directing traffic, answering questions, taking applications, and working with potential adopters during our busiest adoption hours. ACL is always looking for volunteers who love people as much as they do animals to fill this role! Minimum dedication: 2-3 hours/week, scheduled shifts
Transport - ACL often relies on volunteers to donate their wheels and time for different transport reasons. You can transport anything from animals to donated goods! Transport volunteers must have a valid drivers license and proof of insurance. Minimum dedication: As needed
Offsite Adoption Events - Offsite volunteers are our remote adoption team. They assist with transport, set up, break down, animal handling, and talking with potential adopters. Offsite events are a fun way to promote our animals and our organization throughout the community. Minimum dedication: As needed
Adoption Counseling - Volunteers can train to become adoption counselors. Being a part of setting an animal up for success in its new home is a rewarding experience! Adoption counselors coach new adopters on proper care, responsibilities, and information about the individual animals. Minimum dedication: As needed
Fostering - The foster program allows us to care for more animals then we typically would within our shelter walls. Foster parents help temporarily house sick, injured, under-aged or under-socialized animals until they are ready for adoption. They also help by housing animals in preparation for major adoption events. For more information on becoming a foster parent please e-mail foster@animalcareleague.org. Dedication: As needed, typically for 14-20 days
For other questions or general information about becoming a volunteer please e-mail us at volunteer@animalcareleague.org
