Make a Difference - Volunteer at the FSPCA!

Volunteers play a very important role in helping the shelter succeed in our mission to care for and find good homes for all of the adoptable dogs and cats that find their way to the FSPCA.  Following is a list of volunteer opportunities currently available.  To sign up, please complete a volunteer application form and submit it to the shelter.  If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (434) 591-0123 or director@fspca.org.

Adoption Outing Worker

Hours Worked:  typically, outings are on Saturdays or Sundays; hours depend on the actual outing

Duties:

• transport supplies and animals to and from the outing site
• set-up and break down cages and crates
• care for cats and dogs during the event
• walk dogs as needed
• speak with potential adopters
• talk to the public about the shelter

Animal Groomer

Hours Worked:  shifts are available Wednesday through Sunday between 12 noon and 5pm; people are especially needed on Friday afternoons to prepare animals for the weekend adoption outings

Duties:

• wash and dry dogs and puppies
• brush dogs and cats
• remove mats from fur
• clip toenails
• report any skin and/or parasite issues observed during grooming

Animal Transporter

Hours Worked:  days and times worked vary

Duties:

• transport cats to and from Happy Tails pet store
• take cats and dogs to the vet's office to be spayed/neutered and/or for medical treatment for injuries or illnesses

Cat Socializer

Hours Worked:  shifts are available 7 days a week between 10am and 5pm

Duties:

• pet and play with cats and kittens
• weather permitting, take cats to the outdoor pen for playtime
• clip toenails
• brush fur
• during hours the shelter is open to the public, assist with showing cats to potential adopters
• report observations about the behaviors of specific cats to shelter staff

Dog Walker

Hours Worked:  shifts are available 7 days a week between 8:30am and 5pm; people are especially needed daily between 8:30and 10:30am to walk dogs while kennel staff members are cleaning the dog runs

Duties:

• take dogs out for walks
• socialize dogs
• report observations about the behaviors of dogs walked to shelter staff

Follow-Up Caller

Hours Worked:  days and times worked are flexible

Duties:

• contact adopters to verify that they have spayed/neutered their pets as agreed to in the adoption contract

Front Desk Assistant

Hours Worked:  shifts are available Wednesday through Sunday between the hours of 12 noon and 5pm; people are especially needed on Saturdays and Sundays

Duties:

• greet visitors to the shelter
• provide potential adopters with information about shelter animals
• take lost pet reports
• answer questions from the public, both in person and over the phone
• take pictures of new animals for the website
• complete adoption paperwork
• with permission of shelter staff, complete animal intake forms and release animals to their owners
• assist with preparing supplies for adoption outings as needed
• assist with the laundry

Yard Worker

Hours Worked:  days and times worked are flexible

Duties:

• mow the grass
• edge around the sidewalks and trails
• trim bushes
• weed flower beds
• plant flowers and bushes as needed
• lay mulch

Other

In addition to the opportunities listed above, the shelter has a need for volunteers to do the following:

• foster care (visit our foster page)
• write grants
• coordinate fundraisers, such as the annual wine tasting event at Keswick
• assist with special events, such as the rabies vaccination clinic
• hem and repair blankets, sheets, and pads for the animals
• give educational talks
• help with shelter maintenance

If you have a special skill and/or interest, please let us know.  We would be happy to put you to work!  For more information on any of these volunteer opportunities, please call (434) 591-0123 or send an email to director@fspca.org.  We look forward to hearing from you!