Volunteer

Related: Play Yard Attendant 𑇐 Special Events Dog Handler

Dog walking is a tremendously rewarding experience, but it is not easy! Every dog requires positive human interaction seven days a week, 365 days a year. Our shelter dogs get a minimum of two walks per day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. We walk our dogs in the summer heat, winter chill, and soaking rain. Some dogs have wonderful leash manners while others are just learning how to walk on a leash for the first time. This is a very active position for volunteers, and is a fantastic opportunity to build your physical fitness.

What is expected of you as a dog walker?

Use a slip lead to walk every dog, unless a metal leash has been provided for a particular dog.

Pick up all of your dog’s poop while out of the kennel or crate. This is a must!

Stay alert and keep a safe distance from other volunteers and the dogs they are handling. Dog-to-dog interactions should be minimal.

Only walk dogs at the difficulty level you are cleared to walk – easy to walk dogs have blue collars and signs, while difficult to walk dogs have red collars and signs.

Wear closed-toed, non-slip shoes, your name tag, and your whistle at all times.

Remain patient with the dogs – it is easy to become frustrated when a dog doesn’t listen, but harsh corrections are not appropriate.

Remain patient with other volunteers and staff – we are all working toward a common goal, which is to bring joy to the animals in our care.

Ideal traits: Patient 𑇐 Observant 𑇐 Calm Consistent 𑇐 Active

Interested in being a Dog Walker for AWL?

Contact: volunteers@awlshelter.org

Dog care is a great option for volunteering your time if you love dogs but may not feel confident in your dog handling abilities or strength – or if you just love to clean! Get to know each and every dog in our kennel as you brighten their day by tidying up their space. Dog care volunteers also contribute to the shelter’s overall appearance, making it more welcoming to potential adopters. By ensuring cleanliness, these volunteers support the shelter’s ability to provide a high standard of care through reducing the risk of infections, minimizing animal stress, and ensuring that each dog has a comfortable space while they wait for adoption.

What is expected of you as a dog care volunteer?

Empty out and rinse each dog's water bucket and refill with fresh water.

Scoop any poop or debris in the enclosure. Disinfect any surface that was soiled.

Report to staff anything unusual you might find as you are cleaning.

Remove any soiled linens, bowls, or toys to be cleaned.

Replace blankets or towels and toys in the enclosure.

Leave every kennel floor dry using a squeegee, floor dryer, and/or towel.

Place a treat on the dog’s bed for him or her to enjoy upon return.

Soak dog bowls and hard or rubber toys in disinfectant before scrubbing, rinsing, and drying.

In between cleanings, feel free to shower the dogs with attention, praise, and a milkbone if you’re feeling generous.

Ideal traits: Thorough 𑇐 Observant

Efficient 𑇐 High Stamina

Interested in being a Dog Care Volunteer for AWL?

Contact: volunteers@awlshelter.org

Related: Pet Store Volunteer 𑇐 Small Animal Care

Becoming a Cat Care Volunteer is deeply rewarding, offering an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our kitties! AWL relies on dedicated volunteers to ensure that our feline residents receive the attention, care, and socialization they need while waiting for their forever homes. Volunteers play a vital role in grooming, cleaning, and providing companionship, which helps reduce the stress and anxiety that many cats experience in a shelter environment. Additionally, by spending time with the cats, volunteers help them become friendlier and more adoptable.

What is expected of you as a cat care volunteer?

Be considerate and respectful in your  interaction with the cats.

Scoop litter and clean the cat care environment when you notice it is soiled.

Communicate with staff to know what tasks are most helpful at that moment.

Sanitize your hands between interactions with each cat.

Keep an eye out for subtle changes in each cat’s appearance and demeanor that might indicate they are feeling unwell.

Wear closed-toed, non-slip shoes and your name tag at all times.

Remain patient with the cats – not every cat will be ready to socialize right away, they may need to get used to your presence first.

Remain patient with other volunteers and staff – we are all working toward a common goal, which is to bring joy to the animals in our care.

Ideal traits: Thorough 𑇐 Empathetic

Calm 𑇐 Gentle 𑇐 Adaptable

Interested in being a Cat Care Volunteer for AWL?

Contact: volunteers@awlshelter.org

Our laundry volunteers play a vital role in maintaining the facility’s cleanliness and hygiene, which are crucial for the health and comfort of the animals. With constant use of bedding, towels, and blankets, we generate a large amount of laundry that needs daily washing to prevent the spread of disease, reduce odors, and ensure the animals have clean, comfortable spaces to rest. By handling this essential but often overlooked task, laundry volunteers free up shelter staff to focus more on direct animal care, improving the overall efficiency of the shelter. We all love the feeling of snuggling up in a warm blanket straight from the dryer  – and the animals love it, too! Come watch our cats and dogs rest peacefully thanks to your hard work as a laundry volunteer.

What is expected of you as a laundry volunteer?

Learn to operate the washing machines and dryers at our facility.

Wear gloves when handling soiled items.

Keep the laundry running consistently to keep up with the large loads.

Clean out the dryer filter after each cycle.

Fold and store all laundered items.

Deliver baskets of clean towels and blankets to cat and dog kennels.

Notify staff immediately when a machine is not functioning properly

Ideal traits: Organized 𑇐 Efficient

Reliable 𑇐 High Stamina

Interested in being a Laundry Volunteer for AWL?

Contact: volunteers@awlshelter.org

Our laundry volunteers play a vital role in maintaining the facility’s cleanliness and hygiene, which are crucial for the health and comfort of the animals. With constant use of bedding, towels, and blankets, we generate a large amount of laundry that needs daily washing to prevent the spread of disease, reduce odors, and ensure the animals have clean, comfortable spaces to rest. By handling this essential but often overlooked task, laundry volunteers free up shelter staff to focus more on direct animal care, improving the overall efficiency of the shelter. We all love the feeling of snuggling up in a warm blanket straight from the dryer  – and the animals love it, too! Come watch our cats and dogs rest peacefully thanks to your hard work as a laundry volunteer.

What is expected of you as a laundry volunteer?

Learn to operate the washing machines and dryers at our facility.

Wear gloves when handling soiled items.

Keep the laundry running consistently to keep up with the large loads.

Clean out the dryer filter after each cycle.

Fold and store all laundered items.

Deliver baskets of clean towels and blankets to cat and dog kennels.

Notify staff immediately when a machine is not functioning properly

Ideal traits: Organized 𑇐 Efficient

Reliable 𑇐 High Stamina

Interested in being a Laundry Volunteer for AWL?

Contact: volunteers@awlshelter.org

If you are looking to fulfill court ordered community service, please contact our volunteer coordinator by email at volunteers@awlshelter.org and be sure to include: 

• You first and last name
• Your charges
• Number of hours you need
• Any physical limitations we should know about

We will schedule a time for you to go through court ordered orientation so you can begin working as soon as possible. Please bring valid ID and your charges sheet / time sheet.

We track all hours completed by our volunteers through our time sheets. It is critical that you sign in and out each shift you work so that we can accurately log your hours into our system.

Volunteers can view all hours they have logged, as can the volunteer coordinator, in our VicNet system. Please go to the Volunteer Login and sign in if you need to access this information.

If you need hours verified for scholarships or graduation, please bring any forms to be signed to the volunteer coordinator's office. If no forms have been provided to you, a letter with the official AWL letterhead can be written on your behalf, verifying the completion of all hours you have volunteered for AWL.