Volunteer applications are open for April. Get started below!
Volunteer
Volunteering at Operation Kindness is rewarding and makes a huge difference in the lives of animals. Caring and hard-working volunteers help in a variety of programs throughout the year.
GET INVOLVED
Ways to Volunteer
Find the option that’s right for you.
Looking for individual volunteering? Follow the three steps below to get started.
VOLUNTEER
Get Started
Get started with individual volunteering below. Volunteers can start as young as age 16.
Step 1:
We are excited for you to begin your volunteer journey with Operation Kindness. We are currently accepting volunteers ages 16 and up.
We are always looking for volunteers of all backgrounds and experience levels.
Step 2:
Next, complete a registration form and pay your volunteer fee of $45 per person.
The fee covers your badge, t-shirt, training, and administrative costs.
Step 3:
Once your application and fee are completed, your account will be processed by our volunteer team.
Once accepted, you will receive an email on further training and your first steps in volunteering with us.
Volunteers are required to complete at least 4 hours a month to remain active.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Shelter Volunteering
To keep the shelter running smoothly for the hundreds of pets in our care, there’s a variety of daily tasks that volunteers can help with. These tasks include cleaning kennels, laundry, dishes, shredding paper for puppy pens, bathing dogs, cleaning and distributing toys, walking dogs, socializing cats/kittens and more.
Beyond the general tasks around the shelter, volunteers also receive additional training to help in specific roles.
Animal Care Support
You help clean kennels, wash dishes, do laundry, and shred paper. All things that are needed to help give our animals a clean, healthy environment to live in while they are here.
Adoption Contract Processor
You will help new adopters complete the paperwork necessary to take home their new pet.
Enrichment
Work with our behavior team to provide mental and physical enrichment to the animals in our care.
Foster
Sign up as a foster and you will receive one-on-one training on how to care for foster pets in your home.
Fosters are needed for orphaned puppies and kittens, nursing mothers, animals recovering from a medical procedure, and animals that need behavioral support.
The typical foster stay is two weeks to two months, depending on the individual animal. Learn more and sign up.
Fundraising
Work with our development team to assist with our signature fundraising events, send mailings to supporters, and support admin/data entry work.
Become a Greeter
Be the smiling face visitors see when they first arrive in the lobby! You will assist the Client Services team by greeting visitors, providing directions, and answering questions.
Intake & Foster Support
You help us process the paperwork when we bring in new animals. This role also takes photos of our animals and helps get supplies ready for our fosters.
Medical Support
With additional training, you can become a medical support volunteer and work with our veterinary team in our on-site hospital.
You will help with giving medicated baths, taking injured/ill dogs out for potty breaks, cleaning kennels, and scooping litterboxes.
Pet Food Pantry
Volunteers on this team help provide dog/cat food, treats, and litter to people in need.
Family Days Volunteering
Family Day volunteering is an interactive opportunity for families to participate in fulfilling volunteer duties with Operation Kindness. During Family Day volunteer opportunities, volunteers will be provided a behind-the-scenes tour of the shelter, hands-on volunteer activities, and ending the day with animal interactions.
Family Days will be focused on duties from kennel care support (dishes, laundry, sanitation), animal enrichment, adoption greeting, and basic sanitation aid. All volunteer activities are non-animal handling.
Family Days start at 9 AM and end at 2 PM.
(Volunteers will break for a 45-minute lunch. Please bring a packed lunch.)
Cost is $30 per family of 4, each additional child participant is $10.
Upcoming Family Day dates:
- Saturday, Feb. 18
- Saturday, Mar. 18
- Saturday, Apr. 15
- Saturday, May 20
If you have any questions, please contact volunteers@operationkindness.org.
Corporate Group Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering at our adoption center is an employee favorite! The Corporate Group Volunteering Program gives the maximum benefit to the animals and your employee team.
All volunteer group experiences start with welcoming remarks from our team and a behind-the-scenes tour of Operation Kindness. Then, your team will participate in a volunteer project and gets hands-on time with the dogs and cats. Groups of up to 40 people can be accommodated.
With a corporate group fee of $500 or more, a group of up to 20 participants can volunteer. With a corporate group fee of $1,000 or more, a group of 21-40 participants can volunteer. A minimum of 60 days notice is required. Note: The fee is waived for registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.
To schedule a group volunteer opportunity, please complete this form.
Court-Ordered Community Service
Operation Kindness provides court-ordered community service opportunities. These opportunities range from general sanitation, shelter maintenance, and shelter-related activities such as dishes and laundry. All community service activities are non-animal handling related.
All opportunities must be pre-scheduled through our Volunteer Software. Individuals interested in completing community service with our organization must meet the following qualifications:
- Must be 16 years or older
- Must complete Community Service Orientation
- Not seeking community services hours for any violent misdemeanors or felonies
