How To Get Started Volunteering At Your Local Shelter

Thinking about volunteering at your local shelter or humane society? It’s a great way to connect with your community, build up your career, and of course, spend time around adorable animals. You may be surprised to find out how many ways your shelter can put your passion and your skills to good use.

Who To Contact To Start Volunteering
Many shelters have a dedicated volunteer coordinator or department that reviews applications, sets up orientations, and schedules shifts. Check your local shelter’s website first to see if they have an email address or phone number specifically for volunteers. Their website may also have an online application you can fill out to save time. If you can’t find any information on their website, visit your local shelter or give them a call.

What Skills Do Shelters Need?
Don’t have experience with animals? Most shelters do not require any previous experience to help with day-to-day tasks like cleaning cages or feeding, playing with, or walking adoptable pets.
If you have photography skills, you can help new intakes get adopted by taking clear, high quality photos for their online adoption listing that showcases their personality.
Have a knack for social media? Your shelter might need someone to help promote their accounts, get the word out about fundraising events, or make creative posts to help adoptable animals get noticed.
Graphic design, event planning, data entry, filing, and carpentry are just some of the other ways you can contribute your time and skills to your local shelter.

Other Ways To Help Your Local Shelter
Shelters typically require volunteers to commit to a certain number of hours or shifts each month, depending on your role. If you don’t have time to volunteer, you can still help local pets in need without overloading your schedule.
Shelters are always in need of donations. If you have gently used collars, harnesses, crates, carriers, cat trees, or other pet gear at home, your shelter may be able to accept them. If you’d like to shop for new items, check your shelter’s website for a public wishlist. That way, you can shop online for products they need and have them shipped directly to the facility.
Of course, monetary donations are always appreciated, as the shelter can use them to fund medical procedures, purchase prescriptions, and buy products in bulk.
Also consider taking in a foster dog or cat. If you don't have much time for training, an adult cat or a senior dog may need little more than a lap to snuggle while they await their forever home.