About our volunteers
Animal rescue volunteers work with our Animal Rescue Team to help save animals who are victims of illegal animal cruelty and disasters. When the ART responds—whether to a hurricane, large-scale neglect case, dogfighting or commercial breeding operation—animal rescue volunteers travel from all over the U.S. and Canada to assist in the ongoing care of dogs, cats and other animals who have been rescued from harm.
Those volunteers help provide care to animals in our emergency shelters or assist with distributing supplies and providing other support to pets and other animals in impacted communities. Animal rescue volunteers come from all walks of life, generously giving their time to apply their skills and experience in response to animals in need. From animal handling and cage cleaning to administrative tasks, the work of animal rescue volunteers is the true core of the HSUS’s mission to save animals.
Team location
Animal rescue volunteers (ARVs) are called to respond in different U.S. locations as needed. Since 2020, many of our volunteers have deployed to our animal care and rehabilitation center in Maryland.
Volunteer opportunities
There are ample opportunities to provide direct care to animals in our temporary shelters, including cleaning cages and enclosures, feeding, watering, restocking supplies, washing dishes, walking dogs or socializing animals as directed.
Opportunities to learn or apply animal health or behavioral skills and participate in transports and other Animal Rescue Team actions also may arise.
Benefits of volunteering
Animal rescue volunteers often report that assisting with an HSUS rescue operation changed their lives. They never forget the animals they helped get on the road to recovery, or the people who are a part of this important mission. Volunteers learn important skills, undertake new challenges, travel to previously unknown areas of the country, and become part of a community that understands the importance of protecting animals from harm.
Becoming a volunteer
There are three options for volunteering with the Animal Rescue Team:
- Animal Rescue Volunteers: Deploy to our Maryland care center or to other locations as needed for four to six-day rotations. Specific trainings on safety, emergency management, the Incident Command System and other critical aspects of emergency care are required. These volunteers have an initial commitment period of one year and are requested to participate in at least one deployment per year.
- Center Support: Intended for individuals who are local to our Maryland care center and want to volunteer to provide daily care on a weekly basis for at least three months with the ability to extend their commitment.
- Done in a Day: Suitable for individuals or groups who are local to our Maryland care center and want to volunteer for a day (or two) or potential volunteers needing fast-tracked approval.
All volunteers must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a United States or Canadian address.
- Meet the requirements outlined in the Essential Capabilities document.
- Provide proof of COVID vaccination.
- Be able to pass a criminal background check.
Application process
- Use the links above to select the opportunity you’re interested in, then click the red "Apply Now" button at the top right corner to complete an application.
- Sign and return the Essential Capabilities document that comes in your welcome email.
- Complete an interview and discuss next steps, which may include a background check and additional paperwork
Candidates are assessed and interviewed on their initial deployment by HSUS staff. If the deployment goes well and both parties agree it’s a good fit, the candidate will be fully admitted into the program as an animal rescue volunteer.
Deployment process
- Trained, vetted and approved volunteers let us know their deployment preferences and their ability to travel.
- When animal rescue response is needed, a call goes out to all qualified individuals with details of the event, including location, length of deployment and any special skills needed.
- Volunteers reply to indicate their willingness and availability and are then scheduled for deployment. The HSUS helps to make arrangements for travel and accommodations and reimburses deployed volunteers for travel expenses incurred, including mileage and a per diem for food.