Volunteer Overview

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN VOLUNTEERING!

Without the support of our dedicated volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to provide such a variety of programs for our animals and the community. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, come and attend one of our volunteer orientations. **when available, dates and link to the next orientation can be found at the bottom of this page** 


VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

  • A desire to make a difference in the lives of animals and people.
  • 18+ years of age.  Too young to volunteer?
  • Specific cognitive and physical requirements to safely perform volunteer tasks.
  • Effectively communicate with TJO staff, volunteers and the public.
  • Volunteers in animal care positions must be able to read, write, hear, see, and have the ability to physically respond and move in order to keep themselves safe.

  • Volunteers must be able to complete all aspects of the volunteer process independently.
     

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    Please note, due to high volume at the shelter we are not in a position to monitor and evaluate internships or learning plans. Community service requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
                
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VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION SERIES

In order to become a volunteer, we ask that everyone attends the Welcome Session, required for all prospective volunteers and fosters. For those interested in working with cats at the shelter, prospective volunteers will make arrangements with our cat coordinator for hands-on training and shadowing. For those interested in working with dogs at the shelter, there is a required Safe & Ethical Animal Handling session, followed by two shadowing shifts with a seasoned volunteer. For anyone interested in fostering, there will be one session for cats and one for dogs. For folks who are interested in non-animal roles, the Welcome Session will be sufficient. Volunteers can do more than one role at a time, so prospective volunteers are encouraged to attend all relevant sessions in addition to the Welcome Session. Dates and signup links can be found at the bottom of this page as they become available. 


VOLUNTEER ROLES

Volunteers can participate in a number of ways, such as greeter, laundry, cat and dog kennel cleaning, dog walking/exercise, various types and levels of enrichment which are incorporated into most animal care roles and fostering. Once the orientation series is complete, volunteers are encouraged to join the private volunteer page for announcements, and current openings. This is also a great option for volunteers who are unable to make a time commitment at the shelter. We frequently post per diem assignments such as errands, transports, events, and projects. For descriptions of each role, please visit the Volunteer Roles page.  

Hours available for volunteer shifts range between 8 am and 4 pm. There are no evening hours. Most shifts last from 1.5 to 2 hours, but some roles last longer, up to 3 or 4 hours.    

 

ORIENTATION SERIES DATES: 

**Please note, The Welcome Session is required for all prospective volunteers. Access to animal-related training will be emailed to those who have attended the Welcome Session, so be sure to mark your calendar with all relevant dates if your goal is to work with animals. The volunteer application will also be emailed to those who attend the Welcome Session. There's no need to fill out an application ahead of time.
 

JULY 2025 
Welcome Session: 7/24/25, 5:30 pm
volunteersignup.org/RARY3

Once the Welcome Session has been attended, prospective volunteers will receive the link/s to the Safe/Ethical Animal Handling sessions via email, so please MARK YOUR CALENDARS with the following dates:

Safe/Ethical Animal Handling DOGS: 7/31/25, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Safe/Ethical Animal Handling CATS: Interview and training by appointment 


**GREATEST NEED**
TJO is especially in need of kennel cleaning volunteers. Please visit the Volunteer Roles page for a description of each role.


Contact the Volunteer & Education Coordinator with questions