Volunteer

Got Love to Spare?

volunteer

Volunteers are the key to our success! The time and effort volunteers spend with the animals keeps the Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA (AAWL & SPCA) empowered to save the lives of homeless animals. Thank you for your interest in joining our dynamic volunteer ranks!

Thinking About Volunteering?

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Volunteer Requirements

  • At least 18 years old. (If you are under 18 our Animal Tales™ Education program will provide a variety of hands-on animal experiences for kids and teens or see below for the Youth/School Projects link).
  • Able to provide eight hours of service per month for a minimum six month period.
  • Able to commit to scheduled volunteer times.
  • Able to squat, bend, twist, lift, or stand for long periods when working directly with the animals.
  • Possess strong customer service skills, including writing and clear communication, as all volunteer positions work directly with the public, staff, and other volunteers.
  • Attend the Volunteer Orientation held twice per month.
  • If you have a prior felony conviction, you may also be declined depending on the crime. (We do offer court-ordered community service for lesser crimes; click here or see the Court Ordered Service tab).

How to Volunteer

To become a volunteer, you must first fill out the Volunteer Application and register for the Volunteer Orientation and Basic Training class.

If you have any questions, please E-mail the Volunteer Services Department.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are involved in virtually all aspects of AAWL & SPCA, from helping find homes for animals to keeping up the grounds. Here are a few examples:

volunteer

  • Cattery volunteers
  • Dog walking/socializing/cleaning
  • Adoption Counselor
  • Foster parent
  • Off-site events
  • Fundraising/Special Projects/Administrative volunteer
  • Transport driver
  • In-Shelter care of education animals (Birds, Rabbits, Rodents, Reptiles)
  • Lobby Host
  • Maintenance/grounds
  • PetSmart cat rooms

Available Volunteer Opportunities

Cat Cuddler (Entry Level Cattery)

Prerequisi​tes:
  • Volunteer Orientation
  • Interview & Basic Training
  • Buddy Day

 

Time Commitment:
  • Minimum 2 shifts per month - any day of the week - as long as you put in 8 hours per month.
  • Shifts generally range from 2-3 hours.

 

Duti​es:
  • Socialize, pet, brush, etc. AAWL & SPCA cats and kittens
  • Report any observations of animal illness on white board in food room
  • Report any abnormal behavior by documenting in the Cat Behavior Log in cat lobby

 

"Social Cat" Volunteer (Level 2 Cattery)

Prerequisites:
  • Volunteer Orientation
  • Interview & Basic Training
  • Buddy Day

 

Time Commitment:
  • Minimum 2 shifts per month - any day of the week- as long as you put in 8 hours per month.
  • Shifts generally range from 2-3 hours.

 

Duties:
  • Socialize, pet, brush, etc. AAWL & SPCA cats and kittens
  • Report any observations of animal illness on white board in food room
  • Report any abnormal behavior by documenting in the Cat Behavior Log in cat lobby
  • Laundry-restocking towels (as needed)
  • Collar checking - name clearly marked - not too tight
  • Refill water bowls (as needed)

 

"The Cat's Meow" Volunteer (Level 3 or Docent)

Prerequisites:
  • Volunteer Orientation
  • Interview & Basic Training
  • Buddy Day
  • Volunteer in Cattery for at least 90 days

 

Time Commitment:
  • Minimum 2 shifts per month - any day of the week - as long as you put in 8 hours per month.
  • Shifts generally range from 2-3 hours.

 

Duties:
  • Socialize, pet, brush, etc. AAWL & SPCA cats and kittens
  • Groom cats - clip nails (after training)
  • Report any observations of animal illness on white board in food room
  • Report any abnormal behavior by documenting in the Cat Behavior Log in cat lobby
  • Laundry-restocking towels (as needed)
  • Collar checking - name clearly marked - not too tight
  • Refill water bowls (as needed)
  • Clean cat rooms, litter pans, and do laundry as needed
  • Assist in daily maintenance of cat rooms including: mopping, sweeping, litter scooping, and disinfecting
  • Litterbox and carrier cleaning/disinfecting
  • Greet customers
  • Assist Animal Care Techs (ACTs) with feeding (7:00 am - 8:00 am and 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
  • Assist ACTs with medications when requested
  • Assist in collating adoption packets
  • Data entry
  • Assist with making Report cards

Kennel Cleaner/Dog Socializer

Prerequisites:
  • Volunteer Orientation
  • Interview & Basic Training
  • Buddy Day

 

Time Commitment:
  • Cleaning & Walking occurs 365 days per year!
  • Minimum 2 shifts per month - any day of the week - as long as you put in 8 hours per month.
  • Shifts generally range from 2-3 hours.

 

Duties:
  • Yard dogs for exercise and socialization
  • Walk dogs within designated boundaries
  • Record socialization time, behavior highlights, etc. through established procedures
  • Report any observations of animal illness
  • Report any abnormal behavior in the Behavior Log
  • Poop-scoop yards, bag poop on walks, and clean poop from kennels as needed
  • Assist in daily maintenance of dog runs including: sweeping, poop scooping, laundry, and disinfecting
  • Laundry - restocking towels.

 

If you're between the ages of 13-17, please consider our Teen Tracks program; click here to learn more. If you're under the age of 13, you can become involved with our Kids Club program, click here to learn more.

If you are under 18 and required to do a school project for community service, here are some ideas to help the shelter:

  • Hold a pet food/supply drive at your school (our Wish List is online) and collect donations for the dogs/cats at the shelter.
  • Hold a "Pennies for Puppies" drive at school, collecting loose change to donate to the shelter.
  • Have a fundraiser such as a Lemonade Stand or Bake Sale and donate the proceeds to the shelter.
  • Make a nice craft item such as a quilt, and sell raffle tickets for a drawing. Donate the proceeds to the shelter.

Once you have completed your community service project, please submit your project description and hours logged to Tina Eacret, Director of Volunteer Services & Special Events at volunteer@aawl.org. Once reviewed, and donations received/confirmed, a letter will be generated confirming your hours to turn into your school.

Volunteer Adoption Counselor

Prerequisites:
  • Volunteer Orientation
  • Interview & Basic Training
  • Buddy Day
  • Minimum 90 days volunteering with dogs or cats
  • Adoption Counselor Training classes scheduled on an as needed basis
  • Shadow an Adoption Counselor at least 3 times/be shadowed at least 3 times
  • Must be approved by Volunteer Director
Time Commitment:
  • During the hours we are open to the public
  • Minimum 2 shifts per month: 1 day per week preferred OR minimun 1 off-site shift per month
  • Shifts generally range from 3-5 hours
Duties:
  • Help incoming public interested in adoption to select a pet that fits both their lifestyle and expectations
  • Engage in positive conversations with potential adopters to find their "best match"
  • "Introduce" available shelter animals to interested public and discuss the benefits of adopting from the AAWL & SPCA
  • Complete appropriate paperwork for the adoption transaction (as needed)

Foster Parent

Prerequisites:

*No T-shirt or name tag is required.

Time Commitment:

Foster terms may range from one week to several months. You may determine how long you're comfortable keeping a foster and what type of fostering you're interested in. Please indicate that during your interview.

Duties:
  • Provide proper food, shelter, exercise and attention for foster animals
  • Dispense medication as necessary
  • Follow special instructions precisely
  • Transport foster animals to Shelter for periodic check-ups, shots, etc.
  • Report any observations of animal illness or abnormal behavior to the Foster Care Coordinator
  • Foster animals until they are completely ready for adoption

Off-site Animal Handler

Prerequisites:
  • Volunteer Orientation
  • Interview & Basic Training
  • Buddy Day
  • If driving a transport vehicle to the event, must meet transport driver qualifications
  • Must be approved by Volunteer Director
  • These volunteers must be trained animal handlers
Time Commitment:
  • Shifts generally range from 2 hours to all day.
Duties:

These volunteers may be responsible for transporting animals to and from off-site adoption events and they may be responsible for bringing animal supplies to the events. They must be able to answer questions about animals in general and also about the specific animals up for adoption. These volunteers need to wear AAWL & SPCA volunteer shirts and name tags for each event.

Fundraising Events/Special Projects/Administrative Volunteer

Prerequisites:
  • Volunteer Orientation
  • Interview & Basic Training
  • Must be approved by Volunteer Director
Time Commitment:
  • Events/projects can last from a few hours to all day
Duties:
  • Assist in set-up and take-down at special events
  • Participate in maintenance projects, shelter tours, remodeling, etc as announced
  • Using your own transportation to get to and from event sites may be required
  • General office duties including filing, data entry, mailings, copying, etc.

Job Title: Transport Driver

Prerequisites:
  • Volunteer Orientation
  • Interview & Basic Training
  • Must be approved by Volunteer Director
  • Must have valid AZ Driver's license with a clean driving record, be at least 21 years old
Time Commitment:
  • Advance schedule required
  • Shifts generally range from 2 hours to all day.
Duties:

Using AAWL & SPCA Van or Animal Transport Truck:

  • Make pick-ups of various items for the shelter such as food for the animals or a large donation for the Thrift Shop
  • Deliver and pick-up items between the Shelter and Thrift Shop
  • Assist the Facilities Caretaker with various shelter projects
  • Transport animals to and from events

Education Animal Caregiver

Prerequisites:
  • Volunteer Orientation
  • Interview & Basic Training
  • Buddy Day
  • More training with Education Dept as needed
  • Must be approved by Education Director
Time Commitment:
  • Exotic animal care takes place 365 days per year
  • Minimum 1 shift per week - any day of the week
  • Shifts generally range from 1-2 hours
Duties:
  • Assist in daily maintenance of animals in the Education Programs including cleaning, sweeping, disinfecting and feeding
  • Report any observations of animal illness or abnormal behavior to a staff member
  • Assist in the socializing and training of the animals

PetSmart Cat Rooms Volunteer

Prerequisites:
  • Volunteer Orientation
  • Phone Interview to set up Buddy Day with PetSmart Cat Room volunteer
  • Basic Training
  • PetSmart Adoption Counselor Training
Time Commitment:
  • During the hours we are open to the public
  • Minimum 2 shifts per month: 1 day per week preferred OR minimum 1 off-site shift per month
  • Shifts generally range from 3-5 hours.
Duties:
  • Help incoming public interested in cat adoption to select a pet that fits both their lifestyle and expectations
  • Engage in positive conversations with potential adopters to find their "best match"
  • "Introduce" available cats to interested public and discuss the benefits of adopting from the AAWL & SPCA
  • Complete appropriate paperwork for the adoption transaction (as needed)
  • Lobby Host
  • Maintenance/grounds
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