Volunteer

Over 1,800 people give their time to these dogs.

There is a job here for almost anyone: walking dogs, driving them to appointments, fostering, helping at the Benefit Shop, or an hour at an adoption event.

Join the volunteer team

Ways to help.

Pick the one that fits your time and your talents. Every one of them starts with the same short application. Volunteers under 18 are welcome with a parent or guardian, who fills out the application.

• Foster home

  The heart and soul of what we do. We cover approved medical expenses and supply crates, beds and treats as available; you get a foster manual, training, an emergency number and a foster mentor.

• Transportation

  Picking up dogs from the shelter who are ready for their foster home, or taking dogs to the vet for exams and surgery. Weekday daytime.

• Adoption events

  Once or twice a month at dog-friendly locations. You are trained as an adoption counselor and answer the public's questions about us.

• Behavior and Enrichment Team

  Two-hour shifts with a pack of dogs at our office in Pacific Grove: supervising group interactions, socialization, exercise and enrichment.

• Benefit Shop

  Greeting visitors, the register, sorting and pricing donations, creating displays. If you have a truck, help move donated items too.

• Helping Paw dog walking

  Walking a dog for a senior or someone who is ill and can no longer walk their own dog. Sometimes a ride to the vet or groomer, or another small task that keeps a dog and their person together.

• Specialty skills

  Fundraising, writing, grant writing, photography, graphic design, social media and media relations: we often have a place for a specific skill, and a fundraising idea can save many more dogs.

• The volunteer brigade

  Cannot commit to set hours? Join the brigade and get periodic email requests for events, networking for a specific dog, or a special transport. Even once a year helps.

Fill out the volunteer application

Photos from past volunteer appreciation parties.

The Volunteer Appreciation Party is our thank-you to the people who make the rest of this possible. Every year, the whole crowd, dogs included.

Volunteer application