Current Volunteer Opportunities
As an spcaLA Volunteer, you do more than cuddle kitties and puppies. You will enrich the lives of shelter pets, prevent cruelty to animals, educate kids and adults and provide vitals services, and much more. We provide you with all the training and support you need!

Click below for more info on each role and associated training you receive.

Administrative Volunteer

Help answer phones, filing, customer service, data entry, and various administrative tasks.
Hours and duties vary by location.

Dog Grooming

Groom our shelter dogs and make them look their best!
Prerequisite: Level 2 Class & Grooming 101

Events

Represent spcaLA at a variety of events (community fairs, expos, fundraisers, sports events, vaccine clinics, etc.), give shelter tours, and more!
Shifts and locations vary dependent on the event.

Foster Parenting

Provide a safe, temporary home for an animal in need of a little extra TLC. More info.

Fundraisers

Help spcaLA by raising much-needed funds and/or goods. More info.

Working with Dogs

spcaLA Volunteers will help teach shelter dogs basic obedience, provide enrichment activities and correct common behavior problems.
Training:

  • Level 1
    You will learn the basic tools needed to enrich the lives of shelter dogs from outside their dens.
    Prerequisite: Volunteer Orientation
  • Level 2
    You will learn safe handling and basic dog training skills, so you may work with dogs in and out of their dens & take them through shelter dog classes like Adoption Academy™ (obedience) and Shelter Scents™ (Fun Nose Work).
    Prerequisite: Level 1 class & 8 hours of Level 1 activities within 30 days
  • Level 3
    You will learn the skills necessary to assist with internal and external dog training classes, mentor Level 1 & 2 volunteers and help with more in-depth dog training and more.
    Prerequisite: Level 2 class & 48 hours of Level 2 training activities within the last 90 days
  • Shelter Classes
    You will take our shelter dogs through one of our 1-hour training classes; Adoption Academy™ (obedience) and Shelter Scents™ (Fun Nose Work). Our dogs will learn new skills while you perfect your dog handling skills!
    Prerequisite: Level 2 class
  • Grooming 101
    You will learn how to properly brush and bathe shelter pets.
    Prerequisite: Current Level 2 volunteer or higher

spcaLA P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center,
Wednesday through Sunday 11AM – 3PM. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
South Bay Pet Adoption Center,
Wednesday through Sunday 11AM – 3PM. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Working with Cats

Socialize, train and enrich the lives of the cats in our care throughout the day. This may include playing or relaxing with them, cleaning and feeding.
Training:

  • Cat Care & Handling
    You will learn safe handling, care and enrichment activities for shelter cats.
    Prerequisite: Volunteer Orientation
  • Cat Comfort Ward
    You will provide extra TLC to our recovering cats in isolation in efforts to speed up their recovery time.
    Prerequisite: Cat Care & Handling Class

spcaLA P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center,
Wednesday through Sunday 11AM – 3PM. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
South Bay Pet Adoption Center,
Wednesday through Sunday 11AM – 3PM. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Veterinary Assistance

Help with administrative tasks, animal handling, prep work, cleaning, and other various tasks.

Violence Prevention Humane Education

Cut treats, assist with Pet Care Patch Workshops, work with animals (dog walking and AM cat cleaning), data entry, etc.
Prerequisites: Must be Level 2 or higher to work with dogs and assist as dog handler in programs. Cat Care & Handling class if working with cats. Please note: those wishing to work with children will be required to be fingerprinted by the Department of Justice.

Photography

Help our shelter pets shine on our adoption page.
Prerequisites: Must be at least Dog Level 1 and/or Cat Care & Handling. Photography training class.

Interested in filling a current volunteer opportunity? Sign up for an info session to get started today!

Questions? Email us at volunteer@spcaLA.com.

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