How To Help

Volunteer at SVACA!

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Join us in making a difference for animals in our community!

SVACA welcomes dedicated volunteers to help provide top-quality care for our animals.

Who Can Volunteer?  

 Age
  • Adults (18+): Socialize and exercise animals, assist with various tasks.
  • Teens (13-17): Volunteer with a parent/guardian at all times. One parent per minor per shift. No exceptions.
  Commitment and Requirements
  • Minimum 2 hours per week for 6 months.
  • Follow all safety rules, represent SVACA in a professional and positive manner, and be respectful and courteous to the public and staff.

Volunteer Application and Getting Started

Application Status: The November application is now full and closed. The application to volunteer will reopen in 2025.
To begin volunteering, you’ll need to fill out an application. The application opens once per month. The link to the application will be posted here. Once it is posted, spots fill quickly (often within less than 10 minutes), so be sure to act fast! If you are between 13-17 years, you AND your parent/guardian must both complete an application and both attend an in-person training session together. See the FAQ section below for more information.

Volunteer Shifts

  • Shifts are available every day, Monday-Sunday.
  • 2-hour shifts starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m.

Volunteer Fee

  • A $35 volunteer fee covers your t-shirt and training materials.
  • The fee will be paid at the time of the in-person training. 

Active Volunteers

Volunteering Opportunities 

In-shelter Animal Socialization: Exercise, groom, and socialize dogs, cats, rabbits, or spicy kittens. Make and give enrichment treats and activities to animals in our center. Clean and perform other tasks as assigned. Please note that in-shelter animal socializers do not take dogs on walks.

Humane Education Docent: Assist with running and monitoring our Kiddies to Kitties program on Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5 pm, give group presentations on animal care and welfare to students, clubs, or cub scouts, and more! If interested, please email francesca@svaca.com.

Transportation Volunteer: Transfer animals in the Bay Area to and from SVACA. This can include dogs, cats, and rabbits, as well as wildlife. If interested, please email francesca@svaca.com.

Foster Volunteers: Interested in fostering? Learn more about our foster program here.

Group Volunteering and Yappy Hours

Group Volunteering
Our group volunteering program is currently on hold.

Teambuilding Yappy Hours
Treat your team to one hour of de-stressing and teambuilding with adorable animals through our Yappy Hour program. Yappy Hours can be held at SVACA's Animal Care Center for a donation of $1,000 or off-site at your workplace for a donation of $1,500. Please note that this must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Fill out the form to book your preferences for you Yappy Hour and we will get in touch with you to schedule. For questions, please email francesca@svaca.com.

FAQ

1. What if I am under 18? What is the minimum age to volunteer?
Volunteers must be at least 13 years of age. We cannot make an exception to this. Those under 18 must volunteer with a parent or guardian. Both the parent and child must fill out separate applications when applying to become a volunteer and attend the volunteer training together. During regular volunteer sessions, you must stay together.

2. What is the time commitment?
Volunteers must commit to at least 2 hours per week for 6 months.

3. Is there a fee to volunteer?
Yes, there is a $35 fee, which includes a t-shirt and training materials.

4. How do I start volunteering?
See the above section called Application & Getting Started.

5. What if I want to foster animals?
You can learn more about our foster program here.

6. What do I do during a socialization session?
You can socialize with the animals in their rooms, our indoor playroom, or our play yard. Please note that we do not have dog-walking volunteers or a Doggy Day Out program.

Last Updated:
11-13-2024