Volunteer at UPAWS

Volunteers are an essential part of UPAWS and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the pets we care for every day. From hands-on animal care to behind-the-scenes support, our volunteers help create a safe, healthy, and compassionate environment for the animals and the community we serve.

UPAWS offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to match different schedules, interests, and comfort levels. Opportunities may include weekly, bi-weekly, or flexible roles such as fostering, office support, enrichment activities, events, fundraising, or committee involvement. Whether you enjoy working directly with pets or helping behind the scenes, every volunteer plays an important role in our mission.

Before You Apply

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with UPAWS and helping the pets in our care. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Volunteering at an animal shelter is rewarding and meaningful, but it also comes with responsibility. Our shelter environment can be active and sometimes fast-paced. Volunteers should feel comfortable following procedures, working independently after initial training, and committing reliably to their scheduled role for a minimum of two months.

Because of staffing limitations, we are not able to provide ongoing one-to-one supervision. Volunteer openings vary based on the shelter’s current needs, and we cannot always guarantee immediate placement. Some roles may have waitlists.

If you are looking for a meaningful, hands-on way to help pets and can meet these expectations, we would love to hear from you.

What to Expect

Volunteering at UPAWS is rewarding, meaningful, and sometimes a little busy — just like life at an animal shelter. Volunteers may assist with:

• Walking dogs
• Socializing cats and small animals
• Laundry, dishes, and cleaning support
• Enrichment and comfort care for pets
• Office and administrative tasks
• Events, fundraising, and community outreach

Some roles involve being around barking dogs, cleaning tasks, or a fast-moving environment, while others are quieter and behind the scenes. We provide initial training and guidance so you feel comfortable in your role. After training, volunteers are expected to work independently and follow shelter procedures to help keep pets safe and cared for.

Most volunteers choose a consistent weekly or bi-weekly shift, while some help seasonally or as needed. Every role — big or small — truly makes a difference for the pets.

Dog Walking Program Status

Our Dog Walking volunteer program is very popular and may occasionally be full. When dog walking openings are unavailable, approved volunteers are welcome to begin in other important areas such as cat care, enrichment, laundry, cleaning support, events, or behind-the-scenes help.

Many volunteers transition into dog walking when openings become available. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we match volunteers with the shelter’s current needs.

Volunteer FAQ

How soon can I start?
Volunteer placement depends on current needs and available openings. We cannot always guarantee immediate placement, but we will contact you when a suitable opportunity becomes available.

Do I need experience?
No prior shelter experience is required. We provide initial training for all roles.

Is there a minimum commitment?
Yes. Volunteers should be able to commit consistently for a minimum of two months to help support the pets’ routine and care.

Can I volunteer occasionally instead of weekly?
Some flexible roles exist (such as fostering or events), but many shelter roles require a consistent schedule.

Do you accept supervised or court-ordered volunteering?
At this time, we are not able to provide supervised or court-ordered volunteer placements due to staffing limitations.

How will you contact me?
All volunteer communication is sent by email. Please check your inbox and spam folder regularly.

Can I choose my volunteer role?
We do our best to match your interests with the shelter’s current needs. Some roles may have waitlists depending on availability.

Ready to Get Started?

New volunteers are onboarded as opportunities become available. After submitting your Volunteer Application and completing Online Orientation, the Volunteer Coordinator will contact you when a suitable opening is available.

Apply today and help make a difference for pets at UPAWS. 🐾

Ready to get started? Submit a volunteer application. 

Frequently ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)

Court Ordered:

Court-ordered, housing and work-assisted volunteering have been discontinued.

Single-day in-shelter volunteering:

Group volunteering:

We also provide information on group tours or group volunteering using the following link: Group Tours or Group Volunteering.

 Are you interested in volunteering on our board or various committees? Click here!