Volunteer with us
Our most important resource: you
Volunteers are essential to us. They care for our cats, dogs and small animals, help to match homeless pets with new families, and aid in fundraising efforts.
Please note that due to COVID-19, we are just beginning to reintroduce our trained volunteers back to the shelter in a safe and healthy way and in a very limited capacity. Unfortunately, until it is no longer recommended to socially distance from others, we will not be able to adequately train and onboard new volunteers at SAS.
We would like to encourage you to still check out our regular volunteer opportunities below. We will be sure to keep you updated as to when we are resuming taking on new volunteers and hosting in-person orientations and training sessions for new volunteers. Thank you for your understanding!
Note: If you are under 18, please click the link at the bottom of the page for more information.
Application
Because training shelter volunteers has a financial cost, we ask for a suggested (non-refundable) donation of $15 when you fill out a volunteer application. This covers the cost of training and materials as well as a volunteer t-shirt.
Volunteer Positions
Adoption Counselor Volunteer
Adoption Counselor Volunteer
Adoption Counselor Volunteer
Duties: Volunteers provide general information and tours to visitors of the shelter. Adoption Counselors assist with introducing potential adopters to animals, answer calls about available animals, assist with processing adoption applications, help with copying, paperwork, filing and other administrative tasks as needed. The ideal candi
Duties: Volunteers provide general information and tours to visitors of the shelter. Adoption Counselors assist with introducing potential adopters to animals, answer calls about available animals, assist with processing adoption applications, help with copying, paperwork, filing and other administrative tasks as needed. The ideal candidate for this role is someone who enjoys meeting new people and has a friendly and positive attitude.
Hours: Volunteers must commit to a two and a half hour shift once a week during open hours. Extensive training sessions are required. Many shifts are available and we are actively seeking new volunteers!
Interested? Click on 'next steps' above.
Cat Care Volunteer
Adoption Counselor Volunteer
Adoption Counselor Volunteer
Duties: Volunteers assist with caring for and socializing our resident cats. A typical shift would include cleaning chores (changing litter boxes, doing laundry, washing dishes, sweeping and mopping) as well as socialization with the cats, such as playing with them and giving them one on one attention. Training to become a cat care volunt
Duties: Volunteers assist with caring for and socializing our resident cats. A typical shift would include cleaning chores (changing litter boxes, doing laundry, washing dishes, sweeping and mopping) as well as socialization with the cats, such as playing with them and giving them one on one attention. Training to become a cat care volunteer includes watching training videos, meeting with the Volunteer Program Manager for an orientation, and completing at least two sessions of shadowing one of our experienced volunteers.
Hours: Cat Care volunteers must commit to a two hour shift once a week at either 8-10 am, 3-5 pm or 5:30-7:30 pm depending on the day of the week. Please note, while our roster changes frequently, we currently have only limited openings for cat care shifts available.
Interested? Click on 'next steps' above.
Dog Walking Volunteer
Adoption Counselor Volunteer
Dog Walking Volunteer
Duties: Volunteers assist with exercising, caring for and socializing our resident dogs. A typical shift includes cleaning kennels and outdoor runs, walking dogs on nearby trails and neighborhoods, going on car rides and carrying out prescribed training protocols and procedures. Dogs are categorized according to their behaviors and new
Duties: Volunteers assist with exercising, caring for and socializing our resident dogs. A typical shift includes cleaning kennels and outdoor runs, walking dogs on nearby trails and neighborhoods, going on car rides and carrying out prescribed training protocols and procedures. Dogs are categorized according to their behaviors and new volunteers will begin by walking dogs that have fewer behavioral issues. After attending a group orientation session with the Volunteer Program Manager, volunteers then pursue additional training (three sessions of shadowing one of our experienced volunteers during a shift).
Hours: Dog care volunteers must commit to a two hour shift once a week: from 8-10 am or 3-5 pm. Please note, while our roster changes frequently, we currently have only limited openings for dog walking shifts available.
Interested? Click on 'next steps' above.
Transportation Volunteer
Transportation Volunteer
Transportation Volunteer
Duties: These volunteers provide transport for pets going to veterinary appointments or surgeries, grooming, or even taking them to their new adoptive homes. Animals are generally crated for transport.
Hours: Flexible. Volunteers must be over 18 and have a valid driver's license.
Interested? Click on next steps above.
Facilities Volunteer
Transportation Volunteer
Transportation Volunteer
Duties: These volunteers help with routine maintenance of our shelter and our grounds, for example, helping to plow our paths when it snows so that our dogs can be walked. Trades experience is a plus (landscaping, carpentry, painting, etc).
Hours: Flexible.
Interested?
Click on next steps above.
Foster Volunteer & Families
Fundraising Committee Volunteer
Fundraising Committee Volunteer
Foster families take animals into their homes, helping to socialize feral kittens, take care of cat moms and their litters, as well as provide care on a temporary basis for the dogs and cats whose health or emotional issues make shelter life too difficult.
SAS provides the food and supplies that you would need to care for the foster pet.
Foster families take animals into their homes, helping to socialize feral kittens, take care of cat moms and their litters, as well as provide care on a temporary basis for the dogs and cats whose health or emotional issues make shelter life too difficult.
SAS provides the food and supplies that you would need to care for the foster pet. You must have the time, patience and space. You must plan to keep your foster pet away from other pets in the neighborhood and from your own pets until they are fully vaccinated and cleared medically. You can expect to care for a pet between 3 weeks to upwards of 2 months.
Fostering is extremely rewarding and a great way to help pets in need!
Interested? Email
kellygibson@scituateanimalshelter.org.
Fundraising Committee Volunteer
Fundraising Committee Volunteer
Fundraising Committee Volunteer
The Fundraising Committee carries out all of our fundraising activities. Volunteers help devise, plan and staff fundraisers, parties and community events. They interact with local businesses soliciting donations or goods and services, and man tables at parties and events.
Hours: The Committee meets approximately once per month during
The Fundraising Committee carries out all of our fundraising activities. Volunteers help devise, plan and staff fundraisers, parties and community events. They interact with local businesses soliciting donations or goods and services, and man tables at parties and events.
Hours: The Committee meets approximately once per month during the evenings. Fundraising events take place throughout the year, often on weekends.
Interested? Email MaryannRegan@ScituateAnimalShelter.org
Marketing & Communications
Fundraising Committee Volunteer
Marketing & Communications
Our Marketing & Communications Committee is responsible for the creation of PR products and materials. Ideal members of the committee will have backgrounds in various areas of communications, such as journalism, graphic design, editing, proofreading, advertising and photography.
Hours: The committee meets monthly. Most additional work is
Our Marketing & Communications Committee is responsible for the creation of PR products and materials. Ideal members of the committee will have backgrounds in various areas of communications, such as journalism, graphic design, editing, proofreading, advertising and photography.
Hours: The committee meets monthly. Most additional work is done on the members' own time.
Interested? Email Marketing@ScituateAnimalShelter.org