Become a Volunteer

• Make a real difference and improve the lives of shelter animals.
• Connect with your community, meet like-minded people and expand your network.
• Free kitten and puppy cuddles.
• Stay physically healthy with dog walking!

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• Ages 16+ may volunteer independently.
• Ages 12-15 must apply for Junior Volunteering with a guardian.
• All volunteers must commit to a minimum of 4 hours per month for 6 months.
• Required to complete a volunteer orientation.
• Must follow all shelter policies and protocols.

• Customer service is a requirement of all volunteer roles, as you may need to interact with potential volunteers. Volunteers must always communicate professionally.
• Most volunteer roles require volunteers to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, reach and lift, possess vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, and depth perception, and speak to customers, employees and other volunteers.
• We do not offer court-ordered or diversion program volunteering, due to liability conflicts. This includes any volunteering that has been ordered, recommended, or required by a parole officer, judge, teen court, halfway housing, juvenile detention center, etc.

PLEASE BE AWARE that the SFAHS is a busy working environment, where pet allergens, cleaning agents and high noise levels exist. Critters may jump on you, leave muddy paw prints, and could scratch or bite. Although not all jobs require hands-on involvement with shelter animals, you will almost certainly be working near dogs, cats, and other small animals.

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1. VOLUNTEER APPLICATION. Volunteer applications can be found at the front desk in the lobby of the SFAHS. You must fill out the application thoughtfully and in its entirety to be considered.
2. PROCESSING & APPROVAL. Your application will be submitted to the volunteer coordinator for processing and approval. If you are approved, you will be contacted to set up a time to attend a volunteer orientation. If you are not approved, you will be contacted as well. We receive many applications each day and will process as quickly as we can. If you have not heard back about your application after 3-4 weeks, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator.
3. ORIENTATION. After your application has been approved, you will need to attend a volunteer orientation before you are able to start volunteering. This will give you the opportunity to hear more about the shelter, the volunteer program, and expectations, as well as a tour of the facility. You may only attend orientation if your application has been approved. You will receive your name badge and your volunteer punch-in number at orientation.
4. VOLUNTEER! Welcome to the SFAHS Volunteer Program! If you have any questions while you are volunteering, we are here to answer those for you. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to the staff and ask for help.

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Each year, more than 400 volunteers, with a wide variety of backgrounds, donate more than 30,000 hours of service. They give hands-on care to animals, help us raise much-needed funds, educate our community, assist our staff at the shelter, provide support, and more. SFAHS volunteers report a deep sense of satisfaction in contributing to improving the lives of our rescued animals while working alongside others who desire to create a better future for all animals.
SFAHS provides training for all volunteer positions, so no prior experience is required. Whether walking dogs, helping match people with potential pets, or helping to make an event successful, you can be apart of the life-saving work we do at SFAHS.

• Dedicated volunteers of all ages help make the shelter run each day, so it is important that you get your minimum of 4 hours each month.
• While people come to SFAHS because they love animals, volunteers must be able to work well with other people. Our shelter isn't just about the animals - it's about people helping animals and our community. 
• For everyone's protection, volunteers must use the safe animal handling techniques taught in their orientation. 
• All tasks, from cleaning kennels and handling animals to stuffing envelopes and assisting at events, have specific procedures. Volunteers must adhere to these produces unless a staff member directs them otherwise. 
• Once volunteers are comfortable and know their routines, they are expected to volunteer with minimal supervision. Following through on volunteer tasks ensures that animals are receiving the best possible care. Staff is always available to answer questions or assist if needed.

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