VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
Shift times will vary depending on volunteer roles and assignments.

Canine Companion

Canine Companions work directly with shelter staff by helping to provide the dogs with human companionship, exercise and environmental enrichment. This is a “hands on” program for volunteers. Cleaning cages, washing dishes and walking dogs are some examples of the duties volunteers assist our staff with. The dog-human interactions can help relieve stress and provides environmental enrichment to improve our animals’ quality of life and can increase their adoptability.

Cat Companion

Cat Companions work directly with shelter staff to help our cats receive human companionship, play time and environmental enrichment. This is a “hands on” program for volunteers. Cleaning cages, washing dishes and playing with cats are some examples of the duties volunteers assist our staff with. Bathing and grooming are also part of this program. The cat-human interactions can help relieve stress and provides environmental enrichment to improve our animals’ quality of life and can increase their adoptability.

Rabbit Companion

Rabbit Socializers work directly with shelter staff to ensure our rabbit cages are clean and that our animals receive socialization, proper exercise and basic care. The rabbit-human interactions can help relieve stress and provides environmental enrichment to improve our animals’ quality of life and can increase their adoptability.

Adoption Counseling

Adoption Counselors greet and assist AC&C customers. Provide excellent customer service to potential adopters by assisting them with adoption paperwork, answering questions about adoptable animals, provide adoption counseling, and assist with animal adoption interactions. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills and an inclusive understanding of AC&C adoption procedures and policies.  Volunteers for this program are required to attend additional training for breed identification and knowledge of counseling the general public.

Adoption Event Counselor

Adoption Event Counselors attend outreach & adoption events with the purpose of educating the community about AC&C’s mission, services, and programs while helping to handle the animals at the event.  Volunteers for this program are required to attend additional training for breed identification and knowledge of counseling the general public.

Customer Service/Telephone Representative

In this position the volunteer would answer the phones, follow up on voice mails and return messages and provide information to inquiries regarding AC&C, specific animals and general animal-related questions.

Community Outreach

Volunteers attend outreach events with the purpose of educating the community about AC&C’s mission, services, and programs while accepting donations from the public.  

Greeter

The primary role of Greeter is to help direct AC&C’s clients and the public to the proper location and answer basic inquiries while making a favorable first impression. Greeters enjoy interaction with the public and are willing to learn about AC&C’s programs and services.

Administrative

Volunteers assist AC&C staff with administrative support and special projects.  There are positions available within our shelters and in our administrative offices.  Whether filing, data entry, answering phone calls, replying to e-mails, preparing kennel information cards, assisting someone in finding their lost animal, or giving directions to one of our shelters for an adoption, administrative volunteers help take some clerical pressure of AC&C and are especially welcome and appreciated.

Foster Care

Foster care volunteers provide homes, care and a nurturing environment to potentially adoptable animals. Often times, these animals need time to grow, heal and learn to socialize in a safe and caring environment before becoming adoptable. You must be able to provide transportation and isolation.  Medicine and special dietary items will be provided. Volunteers must attend foster specific training classes.

Transport Volunteer

Transport Volunteers provide transportation to & from the shelter for surgery, treatment/vaccinations, adoption events, foster meeting sites, media events, various supplies and donations and elsewhere as required by the program’s needs.

Pet Photographer

Photographers promote pet adoptions by taking quality snapshots of our shelter pets. The Pet Photographers assist by taking photographs of each adoptable animal.  The animal’s photos will be posted on AC&C’s website and Petfinder.com. This information will be used to promote AC&C’s adoptable animals. You must own your own digital camera (an SLR camera is preferred) to participate in the photography program. We also need photographers to take pictures at our special events.

Development and Special Events

Our Development Department is responsible for processing all donations and planning special event fundraisers for AC&C. Volunteers will work at special events and periodically help with office work. Interaction with our shelter animals is limited, but this is a crucial role for helping our pets through fundraising. For special events both committee involvement and day of event opportunities are available.

Marketing/Public Relations

This volunteer position assists with marketing duties such as write-ups and publicity work. Volunteers will work with AC&C staff on the development, coordination and implementation of marketing campaigns and other public relations. Tasks will be assigned according to the volunteer’s level of interest and experience.