Volunteer Opportunities

There are many fun, easy, and rewarding ways to contribute to DHA and enrich the lives of animals waiting for new homes. Whether you want to work with the animals or have other skills to offer, we can help you find a volunteer activity that is right for you.

Please note that we are unable to accommodate drop-in volunteers. If you are interested in any of the opportunities below, please visit our Become a Volunteer page!

Animal Care
Adoptions
Administration
Digital Media Production
Foster Care Program
Community Relations
DHA Committees

Animal Care

Cat Socializer

Cat socializers are responsible for improving the quality of life for the cats at DHA. They cuddle, play with, and give attention and affection to cats during their stay.

Requirement: Must participate in Cattery Training.

Dog Walker

Dog walkers take adoptable dogs for walks on DHA's grounds. The walks serve to exercise, socialize, and keep dogs behaviorally healthy during their stay at the shelter. Walkers are responsible for leashing the dog, removing the dog from the kennel, maintaining control over the dog for the entire walk, and putting the dog back in its kennel in accordance with DHA’s handling protocols.

Requirement: Must participate in Kennel Training.

Basic Cat & Dog Caretakers

Animal caretakers participate in the feeding and cleaning of the animals, as well as monitoring the kennels and/or cattery to ensure a clean, healthy, and welcoming environment for the animals and potential adopters.

Requirement: Must participate in Kennel and/or Cattery Training.

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Adoptions

Adoption Events

DHA regularly holds special adoption events at PetSmart, PETCO, and other off-site locations. Volunteers are always needed to help set up, clean up, run errands, answer questions, and assist with the processing of adoption applications.

Requirements: Must participate in Kennel and/or Cattery Training and be instructed about our adoption process.

Satellite Adoption Centers

DHA maintains several small off-site adoption centers for cats and kittens. Volunteers are needed seven days a week to clean and maintain cat cages, process adoption applications, and spend time with the cats available for adoption. Specially-trained volunteers may also perform adoption counseling.

Requirements: Must participate in Cattery Training; additional training at each location is scheduled on an individual basis.

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Administration

Administrative Office

Administrative volunteers help with data entry, mailings, filing and copying in our business office.

Requirements: Must have clerical or customer service experience and be available on weekdays (the business office is closed most weekends).

Customer Service

Customer Service volunteers assist with answering phones, routine paperwork, processing adoption applications and scheduling appointments. This is a fast-paced work environment where multi-tasking ability is a must.

Requirements: Must have previous customer service experience and participate in individualized training with our existing customer service/front desk team.

Digital Media Production

Digital media volunteers take photos and video that will enhance the online profiles of our adoptable cats and dogs, help document DHA events, and create videos, digital artwork and illustrations that can be used online and in print materials to promote DHA's programs and services. Assignments are based on the level of each volunteer's experience and training in graphic design, illustration, photography and/or video production.

Requirements: Photographers and videographers must have their own digital photo and video equipment (we have a Lumiere photo cube and tabletop lighting) and must participate in individualized training with our staff. Graphic designers and illustrators must be able to work primarily from home and transmit media digitally.

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Foster Care Program

These dedicated volunteers provide temporary care for long or short periods of time for young animals (and in some cases their mothers), as well as sick, injured, or undersocialized animals, until they can be safely returned to the shelter for adoption.

Requirements: Must complete a Foster Parent Application, which can be downloaded below and faxed, mailed, emailed, or dropped off at the shelter at any time. Must be advised and/or trained on how to care for each special foster case, and have an appropriate, separate area of their home where foster animals can be kept away from resident pets.

Learn more about DHA's Foster Care Program.

DHA Foster Care Program Application [PDF]

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Community Relations

Community Outreach Events

Community outreach volunteers perform a variety of tasks, from manning tables at special events and satellite adoption days to helping out with educational talks and school visits.

Requirements: Must have some community relations or educational experience and receive relevant instruction for the specific event.

Vaccination Clinics

DHA sponsors vaccination and microchipping clinics at the DHA shelter, local pet stores and other select locations regularly throughout the year. Help is needed with set up and the processing of paperwork at the clinic.

Requirements: Must participate in Vaccination Clinic Training.

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DHA Committees

DHA is always seeking dedicated and eager individuals to join our various committees, including:

Development
Special Events
Marketing/PR
Humane Education
Finance
Facility Task Force
Personnel/HR

Committee involvement can potentially lead to a seat on our Board of Directors, where you can help guide and shape DHA policy. If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact Executive Director Patrick Carroll at pcarroll@dehumane.org or (302) 571-8171, ext. 302.

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