Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering for the RVSPCA
Adoption Counselor
Assist the public with the adoption process. This is a rewarding way to help our pets find their forever homes. Adoption Counselors must be willing to commit to one 3-hour day per week. Training for adoption counselors is the 2nd Friday of each month at 5 pm.
Advanced Dog Walkers
This is the perfect opportunity for hikers, walkers and runners to take a shelter dog with you while you enjoy the outdoors. Volunteers who have RVSPCA dog walking experience are able to take a shelter dog off-site to spend time away from the shelter.
Dog Walking/Training
Help exercise the dogs while teaching them basic commands and leash manners. Lowering the stress on the dogs by providing "quiet time" and time away from their kennel aids in their mental and physical wellbeing. Training in the Open Paw and dog handling safety will be provided.
Humane Education
Assist with bringing humane education to elementary students in grades K-6. Educators and community leaders recognize the character building benefits of our humane education program, which emphasizes basic values such as fairness, compassion and responsibility, and peaceful conflict resolution.
Kennel Assistant
Assist the kennel staff with cleaning of cages/kennels and general cleaning of the shelter as needed. This position requires a 2-hour commitment once a week.
Special Events
Help out at off-site adoption events, fundraising events, or with community outreach. Tasks include transporting animals to and from the shelter, helping with set-up and clean-up, handing out information to the public and selling RVSPCA merchandise. The RVSPCA sponsors or participates in many special events throughout the year.
Friends of the RCACP
Become more involved with helping to save the animals at the Regional Center for Animal Control & Protection. This opportunity is available to current RVSPCA volunteers and requires additional training.
Foster Care
The RVSPCA accepts animals in need of extra care and attention, such as orphaned animals, newborn litters of puppies or kittens, and pets recovering from illness or injury. Temporary homes for these animals may be needed from 2-6 weeks. The RVSPCA also places animals in temporary homes for shorter periods of time (2 weeks) until kennel space is available at the shelter. If interested in becoming a foster family, click here for more information.
If any of these volunteer opportunities appeal to you, please complete an online application. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Ruth Pierce, at 540.339.9506 or volunteer@rvspca.org.
Information Sessions:
The next Information Session will be held on Thursday, May 17th at 6 p.m. The Saturday session will be held on May 26th at 9:30 a.m.
Pre-registration is required and is limited to the first 15 participants.
Pre-register at volunteer@rvspca.org and be sure to indicate which session you will be attending.
Volunteer dog trainers help with basic obedience training and exercising the dogs, making them much more likely to be adopted into permanent, loving homes.
