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March 5, 2013

Volunteer with Pets for Life (Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia)

Get involved with Pets for Life community outreach!

About our volunteers

Volunteers are essential to the Pets for Life program's work to build humane communities in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. They are the backbone of our community outreach campaign.

Greater volunteer involvement leads to stronger relationships within the community, which in turn makes the Pets for Life program more effective.

Volunteer opportunities

Click on role title to view an expanded position description.

Administrative Support Volunteer: Increase Pets for Life's capacity by providing administrative support

Dog Training Team Assistant: Support our dog training classes by providing assistance to the staff trainer

Events Volunteer: Provide support for Pets for Life events such as spay/neuter and vaccination clinics and represent the program at other local events

Street Team/Canvassing Volunteer:Work with coordinators in target communities to spread the message and mission of the Pets for Life program, as well as the message of spay and neuter, promoting vaccinations and providing information on wellness care

Transport Volunteer: Provide support to clients and their pets to ensure they are able to take advantage of the services offered by the program

Volunteer Leader (accepting applications for Pets for Life Atlanta only): Help develop and lead the volunteer program by delivering volunteer orientations and training, recruiting volunteers, promoting volunteer opportunities and helping to engage volunteers more fully in the work we do

What our volunteers say 

"Since becoming an HSUS volunteer and particularly joining the program in Chicago, I feel like I make more of a personal impact. How can you not feel a rush when someone changes from treating their dog negatively to treating it like a loved member of the family?  I have learned that people are open to the truth and a better way of doing things when it is presented to them in a non-judgmental way.  I love meeting and forging lasting friendships with the other HSUS volunteers who are as passionate about this campaign as I am."—Angela Love Bradford

Benefits of volunteering

Volunteers see a proactive side of animal welfare work, helping animals by helping people in a way that prevents suffering and keeps animals out of shelters. Volunteers have the opportunity to better understand the challenges faced by animal owners in underserved communities and to be part of the solution to pet overpopulation.   

Becoming a volunteer

Commitment Policies:

• Some of our programs like dog training may require initial training and a weekly commitment of two to three hours per week for nine weeks.
• All other volunteers commit a minimum of three months.
• We ask that all volunteers, regardless of their backgrounds, come with an open mind and positive attitude.

Restrictions:

• Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years of age. There are some opportunities for teens under 18 to get involved in the program on a limited basis.
• Volunteers must pass a criminal background check.
• Volunteers must meet the requirements of the Essential Capabilities document.

Process

• Complete the appropriate online application form below. A staff member will contact you to discuss opportunities and schedule you for an orientation.
• If, after the orientation, we mutually determine that the opportunity appears to be a good fit, you will be asked to fill out an authorization form allowing us to carry out a background check based on the type of position for which you are applying.
• Following the completion of the background check, you will be asked to sign a volunteer agreement and a waiver and release of liability.
• After you are made an official volunteer, you will be trained in all aspects of your volunteer work.

Fill out a volunteer application now for Atlanta

Fill out a volunteer application now for Chicago

Fill out a volunteer application now for Los Angeles

Fill out a volunteer application now for Philadelphia