Volunteer Program
Sonoma County Animal Services
How to Volunteer
- Review our age requirements and list of Volunteer Positions below
- Complete the Volunteer Application and email it to SCASVolunteers@sonoma-county.org (if under 16, your parent or guardian will also need to complete an application) Please note you will need updated Adobe Acrobat or you can print it and email us photo of the completed application
- Recieve an email response from us with details for our next Volunteer Orientation, RSVP if you can attend (Volunteer Orientations are held once a month)
- Attend Orientation and our Pet Enrichment Sessions, tour the facility, sign our Code of Conduct and Volunteer Policies forms
- Complete our required Online Trainings- Volunteers over 18 must complete the California Harassment Prevention Training (approx. 1 hour), Dog Volunteers must complete the Fear Free Shelter Training (approx. 5 hours) You will receive links and details of these trainings after you attend Orientation
- Submit your training certificates to SCASVolunteers@sonoma-county.org
- Send us your shirt size and a photo of you for your name badge
- Sign Up for your first shift once you receive the link to our Sign Up Genius! Our shifts are in 2 hour blocks. Typically our volunteers come in 2-20 hours per week depending on their schedules. The Sign Up link will be provided upon receipt of the above listed items. Dog Volunteers will recieve 1-1 training on their first shift.
Please Note: Our Volunteer Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm. The Shelter is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Age Requirements
- Volunteers ages 9-13 years old may work with Cats, Rabbits and Small Animals
- Volunteers ages 9-16 years old must be accompanied by an adult (typically a parent or guardian who must also submit a completed Volunteer Application)
- Volunteers ages 16-18 may volunteer independently with written consent from their parent or guardian
- Volunteers must be 14 years and older to work with Dogs
- Students that are volunteering for school credit/short-term may apply to be a Cat Companion, Rabbit Companion, Shelter Support or Client Services, due to the extensive training it takes to work with dogs, we require at least a 6 month commitment to be a Dog Volunteer.
Dog Fitness Coach
Our Dog Fitness Coaches provide exercise for the dogs including on-leash walking and off-leash playing in the exercise areas. Dogs are to remain on leash at all times when on walks. Field Trips are also available if you would like to take one of our dogs to a park or hiking trail. Dogs will have "Adopt Me" vests to wear to wear when offsite. Please be prepared that most of our dogs are often over 60lbs.
All Dog Volunteer Positions are for Volunteers ages 14 and up only. Volunteers 14-16 must have a parent or guardian present. Our Dogs are assigned a Collar Level based on their assessments: Green, Orange or Purple. All Dog Volunteers regardless of previous experience start at the Green Level. Advancing to Orange Level Dogs requires assessment of your skills by the Shelter Supervisor or Animal Health Technician. Please note: most of our Dogs tend to be Orange Level and Purple Level so it may take some time to learn how to work with them effectively and safely. Due to the extensive training it takes to be a Dog Volunteer, volunteers must make at least a 6 month commitment to work with the dogs.
Dog Companion
Our Dog Companions provide hands-on care to the dogs, and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible. Companions help keep the animals socialized, work on basic obedience training, give out treats and provide valuable information for potential adopters by filling out the Enrichment Cards. Enrichment and positive-reinforcement training are two key cornerstones of the Dog Companion position.
All Dog Volunteer Positions are for Volunteers ages 14 and up only. Volunteers 14-16 must have a parent or guardian present. Our Dogs are assigned a Collar Level based on their assessments: Green, Orange or Purple. All Dog Volunteers regardless of previous experience start at the Green Level. Advancing to Orange Level Dogs requires assessment of your skills by the Shelter Supervisor or Animal Health Technician. Please note: most of our Dogs tend to be Orange Level and Purple Level so it may take some time to learn how to work with them effectively and safely. Due to the extensive training it takes to be a Dog Volunteer, volunteers must make at least a 6 month commitment to work with the dogs.
Dog Spa Attendant
Rub a Dub Dub, Pups In A Tub! Our Dog Spa Attendants provide hands-on bathing of the dogs at the shelter. Spa Attendants will utilize the Enrichment Cards to determine which dogs are in need of a bath and will have access the bathing area. Spa Services may include: bathing, towel drying, brushing, and general pampering to help the dogs look (and smell) so fresh and so clean to put their best paw forward for their potential new homes. Studies have probably shown that the better they smell, the more likely they are to get adopted. Volunteers ages 14 and up only. 14-16 years old need parent or guardian present at all times. We do provide a ramp into the tub but for the larger dogs at the shelter, it is recommended that you be able to lift up to 50lbs.
Paws on the Page
Our animal friends like to keep their minds sharp while they are here. Whether you want to improve your reading skills or enjoy sharing your favorite stories out loud, our dogs/cats and bunnies will provide a non-judgmental ear (or two) to listen. Your storytelling will also help them improve their social skills. We will be holding a Paws on the Page event monthly for you to come read to our shelter animals. Please contact us for our next Paws on the Page day. Petting is not required but highly encouraged! Please bring your favorite books or choose from our selection. Volunteers ages 9 to 16 years old need a Parent or Guardian present.
Cat Companion
Our Cat Companions provide hands-on care to the cats, and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible. Cat Companions help keep the cats and kittens socialized as well as provide valuable information for potential adopters by filling out the Enrichment Cards. Cat cuddles and attention are key cornerstones of being a Cat Companion.
Our Cats are assigned a Collar Level based on their assessments: Green or Purple. All Cat Volunteers regardless of previous experience start at the Green Level. Advancing to Purple Level Cats requires assessment of your skills by the Shelter Supervisor or Animal Health Technician.
Rabbit & Small Animal Companion
Our Rabbit and Small Animal Companions provide hands-on care to the rabbits, gineua pigs, etc. and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible. Companions help keep the animals socialized as well as provide valuable information for potential adopters by filling out the Enrichment Cards. Socializing, cuddles and care and key cornerstones of being a Companion.
Client Services
Our Client Service Volunteers are usually the first person that the public meets when they come to the shelter. They greet people as they arrive, answer basic questions, and point the person in the right direction. They provide office support such as mailings, filing and assisting with reuniting lost pets and their owners by conducting a search of the website, searching the stray kennels, filling out a lost pet report, and providing advice on how to conduct a search. They also help potential adopters by showing the available pets on the website. This position will not require the handling of animals.
Shelter Support
We have a variety of shelter projects that involve different aspects of the shelter. We often
need the most help with laundry, dishes, filling kongs, distributing treats, folding towels & blankets, organizing storage etc. For group volunteer inquiries please email us at SCASVolunteers@sonoma-county.org. This position will not require the handling of animals.
Animal Chauffeur
Our animal friends appreciate traveling in style. This position is on-call will assist in transporting shelter animals to and from locations such as community partners, rescue organizations, other adoption centers, often to improve their adoption outcome. This will be on an as needed basis. Please email us at SCASVolunteers@sonoma-county.org if you would like to be added to our Transport List.
Foster Care
Do you have a loving home that you would like to share with an animal in need? Show your love by providing in-home care and extra TLC to special needs animals such as nursing kittens and puppies or animals recovering from injuries. We also have a Two Week Foster B&B Vacation to provide a break from the kennels for our shelter dogs. Foster Care Volunteers can determine the types of animals they choose to receive training to care for. Click below for more information on Fostering.
