Guide to Volunteering at NYC Animal Shelters
Volunteering at an animal shelter takes plenty of compassion and commitment. Shelters are as different as the animals they care for. From facility layout to volunteer duties to application processes, no two animal shelters are exactly alike. Below, we have outlined the application process and possible duties for volunteers at five NYC animal shelters.
Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC)
Volunteers are expected to commit six hours a month for at least six months to volunteer with ACC, and you must be over the age of 18. ACC has three programs—companion, support, and foster. At first companion volunteers will pick one type of animal to work with, and there are several levels of each animal to help. You can walk dogs, feed them, socialize with them, and provide much-needed love and care. While volunteering, you can add additional duties such as writing pet bios and photographing the animals. Support volunteers may not work directly with the animals, but assist in adoption follow ups or other department duties. There is a $25 fee for all volunteers that covers the training and volunteer t-shirt and ID tag. In order to volunteer, you must attend an orientation meeting in which you will be given a tour of the facilities and receive hands-on training. You will have to sign up for shift hours and commit to those hours for the six month minimum duration of volunteering. ACCs are open for volunteer hours from 8:30 in the morning until 9:00 in the evening every day of the week. Volunteer facilities are located in Manhattan, Staten Island, and Brooklyn.Animal Haven Shelter
As a volunteer at Animal Haven, your responsibilities include walking, feeding, and caring for dogs. You will have to clean up and complete housekeeping within the facility, as well as assist the community with questions and help people who want to adopt. You must be 18 years old to volunteer, and there is a $30 fee for all volunteers. This is a donation to cover the costs of your volunteer t-shirt, your scheduling account, and goes straight to the animals you will be helping. You must be able to commit to a scheduled shift of two hours each week for at least six months. Animal Haven relies on consistent volunteers and expects you to show up on time for all of your scheduled shifts. Following orientation, you will be scheduled to volunteer. Animal Haven is located on Centre Street in NYC and is open 12:00-7:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday.BARC Shelter
BARC is located in Brooklyn and volunteers are primarily dog walking volunteers. You can participate in morning walks on Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Evening walk times are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 5:30-7:30 PM. Walkers are used as the arrive and cannot make a schedule, but walk on a first-come-first-serve basis. Volunteers are asked to walk the dog for 20-30 minutes unless otherwise discussed. You must be at least 21 years old to volunteer, and sign-in before starting a walk. Dogs need to be on a leash at all times, your hands should always be free, and you should always have poop bags. BARC provides specific guidelines for how to return dogs and what to do if the dog gets away.Bidawee provides training and an orientation program for all volunteers, as well as a volunteer information packet. Volunteers that work directly with the animals must be at least 18 years of age, while other types of volunteers can be under the age of 18 if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The two categories to participate in are animal care and pet therapy. Animal care volunteers come to the facility during at least one shift a week for two hours and walk dogs, socialize, and complete other duties to care for the dogs. Pet therapy volunteers work as a team to visit outside facilities such as nursing homes and schools. You and your dog will train for five weeks before being evaluated and allowed to participate. These volunteers must be at least 16 years old and complete a background check. Volunteer opportunities are available at Manhattan, Wantagh, and Westhampton locations.
Save-A-Pet
Once you contact them, Save-A-Pet will set up an orientation and tour of the facility. Then, as a potential volunteer you can make an appointment for an interview. You will need to purchase a volunteer t-shirt for $20 prior to starting. For working directly with dogs, volunteers must be over the age of 18. However, Save-A-Pet does have options for “junior” volunteers that are 16 or 17, as long as a parent or guardian co-signs the volunteer forms. Save-A-Pet has programs that fulfill community service hours and for Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts. Adult volunteers can work directly with the dogs as obedience trainers and caregivers. This organization also needs supply drivers and offers a pet therapy program that visits the Jefferson Ferry Assisted Living Center. Save-A-Pet is located in Port Jefferson Station and is open Monday-Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00-4:00 PM. Volunteers can only work until 3:45 PM.
Written by: Callie T.
