Volunteer applications are closed for September. Check back on October 1st!
Volunteer
Volunteering at Operation Kindness is rewarding and makes a huge difference in the lives of homeless animals. Caring and hard-working volunteers help in a variety of programs throughout the year.
VOLUNTEER
Get Started
Ready to get going? Volunteers can start as young as age 16.
Step 1:
Watch our Introduction to Volunteering video.
This short video will give you an overview of the volunteer opportunities available at Operation Kindness.
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.
After completing registration, you’ll receive instructions for completing an online training at your own pace.
Step 3:
Once you complete your online training, you will be able to sign up for training shifts to help one of our core teams. Volunteer shifts can be scheduled to fit your availability.
We do ask volunteers to serve at least 4 hours on their core team each month for the first 6 months with us.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Volunteer Opportunities
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.
The next Family Day will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Register online here.
(Lunch break from 12:30 – 1:00 PM, please bring a packed lunch.)
Cost is $30 per family of 4, each additional child participant is $10.
Please contact volunteers@operationkindness.org for more information.
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.
Work Paws Playdates
The Work Paws Playdates Program allows corporate partners to provide relief and interactive fun for their employees. Participating employees are encouraged to take a few minutes out of their day to leave their workstations and interact with the animals. Employees can walk a dog, play fetch, pet a puppy, or cuddle a kitten.
Welcoming Operation Kindness animals into your workplace helps your staff stay healthy and practice good habits, such as taking breaks. On a deeper level, pets help alleviate some of the stress associated with work life. They also promote team bonding, laughter, and a positive work environment.
Additionally, there is a huge benefit to the animals currently in our care. Playdates give them a chance to socialize and reveal more about their personalities which helps them get adopted.
The playdate includes:
- Operation Kindness brings social dogs or puppies and/or kittens to your workplace.
- Sessions are 2 hours.
- Operation Kindness provides materials needed to set up a clean environment.
- The suggested donation for a Work Paws Playdate is $2,500. Contact our team if you would like to discuss available options.
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
Please contact volunteers@operationkindness.org for more information.
