Volunteer Information Center

Registered Animal Care Volunteers Log in inageVolunteers Make a Difference!​

Join like-minded people and make new friends, both two and four-legged! As a team, staff and volunteers care for more than 14,000 animals every year that come to us as strays, surrendered by their owners, and confiscations for cruelty, neglect, and abandonment.  The time and talent of our animal-loving volunteers are essential to providing each one quality care and a chance for a new and happy life. We’re all here, for one thing, the animals, and together, we can make a difference!

How can I help?

Committed volunteers are essential! Volunteers contribute throughout most of our operations through socializing, feeding/cleaning, providing excellent customer service, helping reunite lost pets with their​ people, and helping with mobile ad​option events and fundraisers.​​

How Do I Get Involved? 

volunteer with dog on leashFor those at least 18 years of age, the first step to volunteering is to apply online

We are so very fortunate to have more applicants who want to work hands on with our dogs and cats than we are able to onboard in a timely manner​. We want your volunteering experience to be a success, which requires time for proper training and mentoring. Despite the delay, please do complete an application.​ We appreciate your passion and patience! 

If you are interested in helping with AM or PM cleaning/feeding or laundry/dishes, please indicate this on your application and we will get you started sooner rather than later! 

Once your application has been reviewed, we will reach out to you.

Important information to read before applying:

Basic Requirements of all Volunteers 

Due to the nature of sheltering and the broad scope of animals and the behaviors we work with, ensuring safe and smooth operations is critical, therefore, all prospective volunteers must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age,
  • Have the ability to work independently with sound mind and good judgment, Have good communication skills, including reading and writing,
  • Be able to comprehend and follow directions and abide by shelter policies, procedures and rules,
  • Be able to physically perform the role(s) in which they’re interested in volunteering,
  • Be able to effectively and professionally work with the public, staff and fellow volunteers, and,
  • Have a positive attitude, and represent the shelter in a supportive manner at all times.

*Not 18 Years of Age? 

The shelter offers a limited enrollment volunteer program for teens 12-18 years of age called S.T.A.M.P. (Sacramento Teen Animal Membership Program). Orientations are generally held twice a year. For more information, please email SacCountySTAMP@hotmail.com or connect with S.T.A.M.P. on Facebook

Seeking School or Court-Ordered Community Service Hours?

We are currently unable to provide volunteering hours for school, including Senior Projects, or for animal behavior training schools, court-ordered community service. However, you may find applicable opportunities with one of these volunteer matching sites:

Minimum Time Commitment

We can never have enough volunteers working with our animals or helping throughout the shelter, but we must fill training slots with those who can commit to our efforts to save lives. To best utilize training efforts, and to ultimately maximize volunteers’ enjoyment and comfort in their position, as well as the benefits they provide our animals, we require a minimum commitment of 10 hours per month for at least 6 months​

​For more information​, contact Celeste Ingrid, Volunteer Coordinator at 916-875-5848. ​