Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Sonoma County Animal Services. We have a number of ways for people age 9 to 99+ to work with us. Scroll down to see our application process and voluteer roles .
Please Note: Our volunteer hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm. Sonoma County Animal Services is closed Sundays and Mondays and holidays. We require at minimum a 6 month and 30-hour committment from our volunteers.
Review the age and time requirements, and various volunteer roles to be sure that we are a good fit for the needs and wants.
Fill out the online volunteer application (an email address is required); if under 16 years old, a parent/guardian will also need to fill out an application.
If the application is approved, an email with an orientation sign-up link, along with additional information, will be sent.
If additional information is required, please follow the link in the email to provide a response.
Once a new volunteer orientation is attended, another email will be sent with links to:
Please Note: Our volunteer hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm. Sonoma County Animal Services is closed Sundays and Mondays and holidays. We require at minimum a 6 month and 30-hour committment from our volunteers. We do not have many on-site short-term opportunities for school/community service credits. Please refer to teachers and school counselors for short-term needs.
All dog volunteer positions are for volunteers ages 14 and up only. Volunteers 14-15 must have a parent or guardian present. Our dogs are assigned a collar level based on their assessments: green, orange or purple. All dog volunteers, regardless of previous experience, start at the green level. Advancing to orange and purple level dogs requires practicing your skills before leveling up. Please note: most of our dogs tend to be orange and purple level so it may take some time to learn how to work with them effectively and safely.
Fitness Coaches provide exercise for the dogs including on-leash walking and off-leash playing in the exercise areas. Dogs are to remain on leash at all times when on walks. Field trips are also available if you would like to take one of our dogs to a park or hiking trail. Dogs will have "adopt me" vests to wear to wear when offsite. Please be prepared: most of our dogs are over 60 pounds.
Social Directors provide hands-on care to the dogs, and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible. Companions help keep the animals socialized, work on reward-based basic obedience training, and provide valuable information for potential adopters by filling out the enrichment cards. Enrichment and positive-reinforcement training are two key cornerstones of the dog companion position. Our Dog Companions provide hands-on care to the dogs, and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible. Companions help keep the animals socialized, work on reward-based basic obedience training, and provide valuable information for potential adopters by filling out the enrichment cards. Enrichment and positive-reinforcement training are two key cornerstones of the dog companion position.
Dog Spa Attendants provide hands-on bathing of the dogs at the shelter. Spa attendants will utilize the enrichment cards to determine which dogs are in need of a bath. Spa services may include: bathing, towel drying, brushing, and pampering so these fresh and clean dogs can put their best paw forward.
Cat are generals that need your help! Provide hands-on care to the cats, and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible. Aide-de-Cats help keep the cats and kittens socialized, as well as provide valuable information for potential adopters by filling out the enrichment cards. Cat cuddles and attention are key cornerstones, along with grooming--as permitted by the cat.
Our cats are assigned a color level based on their assessments: green or purple. All cat volunteers, regardless of previous experience, start at the green level. Advancing to purple level cats requires assessment of your skills by a staff member.
Our Rabbit and Small Animal Companions provide hands-on care to the rabbits, Guinea pigs, and other small animals, and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible. Companions help keep the animals socialized as well as provide valuable information for potential adopters by filling out the enrichment cards. Socializing, cuddles and care are key cornerstones of being a companion.
Client Service Conceirges support administrative staff with:
Shelter Support includes help with laundry, washing dishes and kongs, preparing and distributing enrichment items, organizing, and yard clean up.
This on-call position will assist in transporting shelter animals to and from locations such as community partners, rescue organizations, and veterinarian appointments.
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