VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Below are our most common available opportunities. Please Note: Several of the opportunities below require a minimum of volunteer hours and/or additional training.

Shelter Support – Provide support to the shelter staff by assisting in the shelter with various tasks as directed by staff, such as helping with animal care, laundry and assisting the citizens that come into the center. This position also involves a variety of specialty roles.

Bottle Baby Volunteers – Volunteers interested in bottle feeding unweaned puppies and kittens will be trained by the Bottle Baby Coordinator.  The biggest need is in the spring and requires a significant time commitment. (This program is not supervised by the Volunteer Liaison or the Volunteer Program. The program requires attendance of an orientation and approval from the Bottle Baby Coordinator.)

Special Event Support – All volunteers can assist L. A. Animal Services in the production of events.  These events include microchip clinics, vaccination clinics, pet fairs, community festivals, open houses and Super Adoptions.  As a rule, these events occur on weekends

Bather – Volunteers can keep shelter animals sparkling clean (making them more likely to be adopted) by bathing the dogs as needed.  

Dog Walker – Dog training programs help volunteers enhance the dogs’ chances for adoption, keeping them physically and mentally fit, teaching fun tricks and being creative in their training, as well as allowing the dogs’ time to romp by utilizing the yard space at each shelter. 

Customer Care Greeter (Front Office) – This volunteer must possess exceptional people skills, knowledge of the shelter system, layout and programs and is responsible for greeting and guiding the public upon arrival at each shelter, maintaining flyers and brochures for the public and other front office tasks.  This volunteer also has the important role of helping to educate the public about responsible animal care and the importance of spaying and neutering. 
                                                           
Mobile Adoption Volunteer – Volunteers support the mobile program by taking our adoptable dogs, cats and rabbits to various sites throughout Los Angeles on specified weekends.  They also are an ambassador for L. A. Animal Services and assist the public by providing information on our programs and animal care information and will be responsible for dog/cat/rabbit care at the mobile event.  The number of animals taken on mobile events correlates to the number of volunteers who sign-up to volunteer at a mobile event.  Mobiles are an important way to reach members of the community who may be considering adopting, but would not necessarily come to a City shelter. 

Emergency Response Volunteer-The Emergency Response Volunteer (ERV) are qualified, trained, and certified volunteers whose purpose is to augment department resources for the intake, care, and transport of animals during a disaster or emergency under the authority and activation by the Los Angeles City Department of Animal Services.  All volunteers will have to complete level one training to be an ERV. As the volunteer receives more training, he or she will move up ERV levels, culminating at ERV Level 4, the team leader position. Volunteers may be asked to perform any reasonable duties beyond the normal volunteer program. (Requires additional training by LAAS, online training course, and two annually training exercises.)