Volunteering at the Shelter

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Volunteers are a vital, valuable resource for the APL, and we need a large volunteer team to best serve our mission.  A large volunteer team requires a structured process for involvement to be successful.  We strive to prepare our volunteers well for their assignments, which take time and planning.

Although you may be familiar with animals in a home setting, working with animals in a shelter environment is different.  There is a lot to know about our shelter and how to complete tasks properly for the health, safety, and well-being of our animals, staff, and our volunteers.  Not all of this can be accomplished on an immediate basis without a potential negative operational impact on our shelter and your own personal safety.

Our volunteer hours are Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each assignment has designated hours within these times. Holiday hours are communicated prior to each holiday for each assignment.

View our tour video below to see the different areas of the shelter.

View our Tour Video

Shelter Volunteer Assignments

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Animal Care Assistant

Do you want to help with routine tasks that are a critical part of animal care at our shelter?  Our Animal Care Assistants wash, fold and distribute laundry to the various areas of the shelter along with washing the dishes in our centralized room at the shelter.  While this may not be the most glamorous volunteer opportunity, knowing that you have helped our animals in this way is very rewarding, as these tasks contribute to their comfort and well-being.  This assignment may require a regular weekly schedule, and shifts are typically two hours in length.  Age 16-17, Pet Partners and adults welcome.
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Cat Adoption Specialist

Want to help adopters meet their “purr-fect feline companion” at our shelter and help provide some TLC and a clean, healthy home for our cats? Cat Adoption Specialists work on the cat adoption floor to help adopters make informed decisions.  Volunteers socialize, enrich, groom, feed, water and maintain clean feline kennels at our shelter to help our cats “put their best paw forward” while waiting for their “purr-fect match”.  Other duties include becoming familiar with the adoptable animals, helping to maintain a presentable workplace, informing guests of the standard medical treatments we provide our animals, and assisting adopters with meeting animals.  This position may require a regular weekly schedule. Age 16-17, Pet Partners and adults welcome.

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Dog Walking Volunteer

Want to get some outdoor exercise while spending quality time with a canine companion? Dog Walking Volunteers may walk, or run if you prefer, with dogs while providing socialization to help the dogs put their best “paw” forward while waiting for their new home.  We also have an indoor and outdoor playroom and yard for some good quality playtime with our dogs. Volunteers in this assignment may also help with kennel enrichment and other housekeeping duties. There are two levels available to suit your goals in working with our dogs.  In addition, you may be able to take dogs on field trips, participate in scheduled pack walks and hikes with our dogs.  This position may require a commitment of at least 4-8 hours per month, even during inclement weather.
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Dog Enrichment Volunteer

Want to help our dogs to be happy and healthy during their temporary stay at the APL? Dog Enrichment Volunteers make dog enrichment items that will be later distributed according to our schedule. Each dog receives two items per day in their kennel to enjoy, and there are a variety of items that need to be made. Some of the enrichment items contain peanut butter; therefore, this is not an opportunity for those who have peanut allergies. This position may require a commitment of at least 4-8 hours per month.
Please complete an online volunteer application to express your interest.  
Complete Volunteer Application