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Volunteer with the ASPCA
The ASPCA’s volunteer program is vital to our operation, and our volunteers are making an impact in many areas. Today, volunteers assist in the care and placement of the animals housed in our shelter, educate the public and provide support for administrative programs.
General Guidelines
- All volunteer opportunities are in New York City. Individuals unable to volunteer in New York City should contact their local animal welfare organization. Visit our Shelter Database to find one near you now!
- Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.
- Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of 8 hours/month for 6 months.
Steps to Becoming a Volunteer
1. Reserve a space and attend an upcoming New Volunteer Orientation class. The two-hour orientation gives an overview of the ASPCA’s philosophy, services and volunteer opportunities.
2. Complete and return the volunteer application. (Minors must also submit the Parental Consent and Release form). A processing fee of $25.00 will be collected with the completed application. (Students with a valid ID and individuals under 18 years of age do not need to submit the processing fee.) This fee includes your initial volunteer T-shirt, any required training classes, a photo ID, a 20 percent discount at Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (after three months of service) and a discount on the ASPCA online store. Applications will be available on the day of orientation.
3. Attend additional training classes as required for specific activities.
All current orientation classes are full. Orientation classes for 2nd quarter 2010 (April, May, June) will be posted in early March.
Our volunteer program is extremely popular, and classes do fill up quickly. For other volunteer opportunities in NYC, please consider volunteering at the NYC AC&C shelters in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island.
Types of ASPCA Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteer Adoptions Counselors: There’s only one thing better than seeing pets leave the shelter with their new families—helping to make it happen! If you enjoy working with people and would like to help secure loving homes for ASPCA shelter dogs and cats, consider becoming a Volunteer Adoptions Counselor! As an Adoptions Counselor, you’ll get to:
- Meet and greet potential adopters when they arrive at the ASPCA
- Answer questions and assist potential adopters in selecting a pet who fits into their lifestyle
- Interact with people and animals
- Oversee “meets” between adopters and available animals.
Age Requirement: 18 or older
Administrative Assistance: Provide administrative support to the ASPCA’s administrative programs. Major Responsibilities: Data entry; packet assembly; mailings; required to use Microsoft Access or Excel (no experience necessary)
Age Requirement: 16 or older
Animal Care Technician: Assist the hospital staff by providing direct care and maintenance of hospital area and feeding and general husbandry of hospitalized animals. Major Responsibilities: Compassionate nursing care is the top priority for all animals; keep kennels clean, orderly and free of odor; ensure exam rooms and kennels are clean, orderly and ready for use; feed and water animals as needed; exercise/socialize animals; take inventory and stock as needed; hospital laundry.
Age Requirement: 18 or older
Cat Volunteer (On and Off-Site): Provide socialization for the shelter cats. Major Responsibilities: Moving cats in and out of their cages; interacting with the cats in the spaces designated for socialization; assist ASPCA staff/ volunteers working with potential adopters
Age Requirement: 16 or older
Children’s Bibliography Reviewer: Help keep our online bibliography database up-to-date and comprehensive. Major Responsibilities: Read 45 children’s books and write a short review of each book.
Age Requirement: 18 or older
Dog Volunteer (On and Off-Site): Provide exercise, socialization, and basic training for the shelter dogs. Major Responsibilities: Moving dogs in and out of their cages; walking a dog outdoors for exercise using appropriate equipment; teaching basic obedience; cleaning up after the dogs while outside of their cages
Age Requirement: 18 or older
Foster Caretaker: Provide temporary housing and care for shelter animals that are sick, injured or juvenile. Major Responsibilities: Provide a safe and clean environment for the foster animals; provide food, water, exercise, and proper socialization for the foster animals; dispense medication as necessary; follow all instructions given by ASPCA staff; foster the animal(s) until they are ready for adoption; return the animal to the ASPCA for adoption
Age Requirement: 18 or older
Humane Educator: Teach Humane Education classes and staff community outreach tables throughout the New York City area. Major Responsibilities: Staff the ASPCA table at education and community outreach events; present education programs to students and/or adults in schools, after school programs, and other events
Age Requirement: 21 or older
Mobile Clinic Assistant: Assist the public on the ASPCA’s Mobile Clinic. Major Responsibilities: Assist veterinary assistants and greeters with intake and paperwork; customer service; translation services for staff and clients; assist with client processing to reduce wait time.
Age Requirement: 18 or older
Public Relations Assistant: To publicize the ASPCA Cares spay/neuter clinic program. Major Responsibilities: Community relations; scouting out potential clinic locations; outreach via flyers, mailings, and phone calls; on-line research; attending outreach meetings.
Age Requirement: 18 or older
Veterinary Assistant: Assist the Animal Placement medical staff with the veterinary care of the shelter animals. Major Responsibilities: Retrieve dogs and cats from various locations throughout the ASPCA; restrain animals during examinations and procedures (not expected to handle potentially dangerous animals); cleaning and basic housekeeping.
Age Requirement: 18 or older
Event Volunteer: Staff tables at charity fairs throughout New York City. Major Responsibilities: Must attend at least 5 events; set up tables and hand out brochures and miscellaneous information about the ASPCA at charity fairs throughout New York City; answer general questions about ASPCA programs and services; clear away materials after the event.
Age Requirements: 18 or older
* Please note, not all volunteer positions are available at all times.
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