Volunteer
volunteer bathing dog

Volunteer Information

Many of our programs and services are run by our supportive volunteers. Here's where you can find out about volunteering your time to help animals.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR: Dedicated individuals over 17 years of age who can make a one year commitment of 8 hours a month to help the many abused and unwanted animals in our care. Youth volunteers, ages 12-16, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Special Note for Students: Due to the overwhelming number of requests, we can no longer accommodate school or college students who are required to fulfill short-term community service hours. The increased number of community service volunteers, their short term needs, and the restricted days and times in which they can complete their hours has placed a burden on our staff. As stated above, spcaLA will not grant community service hours for any volunteer unless they are willing to give a one year commitment of 8 hours per month.

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BEFORE VOLUNTEERING: SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER

Volunteering can have a positive effect on your community AND yourself. But before you make the decision to create the time to volunteer, stop and ask yourself a few important questions:

  • Do I have any previous/current volunteer experience or will this be my first experience volunteering?
  • Do I have skills that could be used by spcaLA?
  • Would I like to learn new skills, and am I willing to take the time to learn them?
  • Do I enjoy interacting with people? Am I friendly and outgoing?
  • Why am I interested in volunteering at the spcaLA? What do I know about the spcaLA's services and programs?
  • Do I accept the philosophy of the spcaLA regarding its animal receiving, adoption, spay/neuter and euthanasia policies?
  • Do I want to work directly with animals? Am I comfortable handling dogs, cats, puppies and kittens of all sizes, ages and personalities?
  • Do I have any allergies or conditions that I should consider before working directly with the animals?
  • Would I prefer to volunteer directly at the shelter or to volunteer in the community with animals? Or would I prefer to support the spcaLA“s work "behind the scenes", helping with other tasks?
  • Can I commit to being a volunteer on a consistent basis for at least 1 year? Are there personal or professional obligations that would routinely be a barrier to being able to commit to my volunteer responsibilities?

If you love animals and enjoy working with them, WE NEED YOU! Volunteers can help in many ways and no matter how you choose to help, the animals benefit.

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STEPS TO BECOMING A spcaLA VOLUNTEER:

1. Fill out a volunteer application.

2. Attend our orientation for new volunteers. This orientation will familiarize you with our organization's volunteer policies and help prepare you for your work with spcaLA. This is a general orientation for all new volunteers. Volunteer orientations are held every eight weeks. You will receive a letter informing you of the next available dates.


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AN ALTERNATIVE EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN:

We have found that our Humane Education Program provides a very enriching alternative experience for children. If your school, church or temple group, Girl or Boy Scout troop, or any other type of club or group is interested in attending a humane education presentation – or having our humane educators visit you, please contact  our Humane Education Department at humaneeducation@spcaLA.com for additional details and information.

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VIEW AVAILABLE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS BY CLICKING HERE

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VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS:

Click to go to adult volunteer applicationAdult Volunteer application

Click to go to youth volunteer applicationYouth Volunteer application

Click to go to animal assisted therapy volunteer applicationAnimal Assisted Therapy application
 [More info]

 Click to go to foster care applicationFoster Care application 
[More info]
Click to go to Humane Education volunteer applicationHumane Education Volunteer application

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VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER:

Want the latest volunteer news and information? Read our volunteer newsletter, Fur Your Information (pdf).

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE spcaLA VOLUNTEER PROGRAM:

Contact the Volunteer Services Department at 888-SPCA-LA1 ext.255. The spcaLA operates many shelters in Southern California. They provide safe shelter, food, medical care and love for stray and homeless animals seven days a week. We need volunteers to assist staff in caring for these wonderful animals. Volunteers enrich all the lives they touch - both animal and human.