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.
Due to COVID-19, we have reintroduced our trained volunteers back to the shelter in a safe and healthy way but we are currently not able to adequately train and onboard most NEW volunteers due to social distancing requirements.
That means that our volunteer positions are currently much more limited than in a traditional year.
If you are interested in volunteering for a position that you do not see listed below (such as cat and dog care volunteers or adoption counselor positions) we recommend that you check this page and our social media accounts for updates.
Thank you very much for your understanding.
Note: If you are under 18, please click the link at the bottom of the page for more information.
Applications
Because training shelter volunteers has a financial cost, we ask for a non-refundable donation of $15 (if you are financially able*) when you fill out a volunteer application.
This covers the cost of training and materials as well as a volunteer t-shirt.
*If you cannot afford this donation, please email Kelly at the following address and let her know you'd like to fill out an application without a donation. kellygibson@scituateanimalshelter.org
volunteer positions
TNR Team Member
Cleaning Volunteer
Cleaning Volunteer
Overview: Our TNR programs help feral cats stay healthy and keep populations humanely in check. Cats are humanely trapped, neutered, and then returned to their colonies to life out their lives more healthfully.
TNR team members travel to sites in Scituate and the greater South Shore to:
- Check, rebait and set humane traps
- Transport feral cats to appointments for neutering
- Transport and release cats back to their colonies
Hours: Flexible, on an as-needed basis.
Interested? Click the "Next Steps" button above.
Cleaning Volunteer
Cleaning Volunteer
Cleaning Volunteer
Overview: Our normal protocols at SAS include lots of cleaning, but given current circumstances, they are now kicked up a notch! Because we must adhere to strict guidelines, we will direct interested volunteers to YouTube videos on cleaning protocols so that they may complete socially distanced solo shifts.
- Cleaning dog enclosures, cat cages and transportation crates
- Cleaning meeting rooms, feeding areas and surfaces around the shelter
Hours: Whether you are interested in coming for a few hours one day or the same time every week, we will do our best to schedule you at a mutually convenient time.
Interested? Click the "Next Steps" button above.
Committee Members
Cleaning Volunteer
Transportation Team
Overview: Simply put, volunteer committees at SAS help keep staff costs down so we can help more animals. Our committees are made up of Board members and regular volunteers and include:
- Finance & Audit Committee
- Fundraising Committee
- Communications Committee
- Human Resources Committee
- Gala Committee
Hours: Most committees meet monthly (currently virtually) with additional work done on the members’ own time.
Interested? Email info@scituateanimalshelter.org.
Transportation Team
Facilities Volunteer
Transportation Team
Overview: 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, as needed. Volunteers must be over 18 and have a valid driver's license.
Interested? Click on next steps above.
Fostering
Facilities Volunteer
Facilities Volunteer
Foster families bring pets temporarily into their homes, caring for cat moms and kittens, as well as providing love and care for the dogs and cats whose health or emotional issues make shelter life too hard.
SAS provides all food and supplies, fosters just must have time, patience and space! They must keep foster pets away from all other pets, including their own, until they are fully vaccinated and cleared medically. Typically, pets stay in foster care for 3 weeks to 2 months.
Interested? Contact Kelly Emailkellygibson@scituateanimalshelter.org.
Facilities Volunteer
Facilities Volunteer
Facilities Volunteer
Overview: 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, as needed. We welcome those who would like to help out regularly, or those who simply would like to volunteer for one afternoon.
Interested? Click on next steps above.