Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Sonoma County Animal Services. We have a number of ways for people age 9 to 99 to work with us. Scroll down to see our application process and roles.
Please note: Our volunteer hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sonoma County Animal Services is closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. We require at minimum a 6 month and 60-hour committment from our volunteers.
Review the age and time requirements, and various volunteer roles to be sure that we are a good fit for the needs and wants.
Fill out the online volunteer application. An email address is required and we do not accept paper applications.
If you are 16-18 years old, you may fill out the application, but a parent or guardian will need to sign the volunteer contract. If you are under 16 years old, a parent or legal guardian will need to fill out the application and volunteer with you. An application may be declined for incomplete information and for not being able to meet the time requirements.
If the application is approved, an email with an orientation sign-up link, along with additional information, will be sent.
If additional information is required, please follow the link in the email to provide a response.
Once a new volunteer orientation is attended, another email will be sent with links to:
Our volunteer hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30pm. Sonoma County Animal Services is closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. We require at minimum a 6 month and 60-hour committment from our volunteers due to the level of training involvved for working with animals. We do not have many on-site short-term opportunities for school or community service credits. Please refer to teachers and school counselors for short-term needs.
If you are looking for opportunity to fulfill court-mandated community service hours, please contact Humane Society of Sonoma County.
Volunteers ages 9 years old and older may work with cats, rabbits and small animals.
Volunteers ages 9 to 15 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The parent or legal guardian must fill out the application.
Volunteers ages 16 to 18 years old may volunteer independently with consent from their parent or guardian.
Volunteers must be 14 years old or older to work with dogs.
It is recommended that students needing credit for school find other opportunities as we require a minimum 6 month and 60-hour committment from our volunteers.
All dog volunteer positions are for volunteers ages 14 and up only. Volunteers 14 to 15 years old must have a parent or guardian present. Our dogs are assigned a collar level based on their assessments: green, orange or purple. All dog volunteers, regardless of previous experience, start at the green level. Advancing to orange and purple level dogs requires regular skill practice before moving to the next level. Please note: most of our dogs tend to be orange and purple level so it may take some time to learn how to work with them effectively and safely.
Enrichment and positive-reinforcement training are two key cornerstones of working with dogs, regardless of the role.
Fitness Coaches provide exercise for the dogs including on-leash walking and off-leash playing in the exercise areas. Dogs are to remain on leash at all times when on walks. Field trips are also available if you would like to take one of our dogs to a park or hiking trail. Dogs will have "adopt me" vests to wear to wear when offsite. Please be prepared: most of our dogs are over 60 pounds.
Social Directors provide hands-on care to the dogs, and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible. Companions help keep the animals socialized with people, work on reward-based basic obedience training, and provide valuable information for potential adopters by filling out enrichment cards. Our social directors provide hands-on care to the dogs, and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible.
Dog Spa Attendants provide hands-on bathing of the dogs at the shelter. Spa attendants will utilize the enrichment cards to determine which dogs are in need of a bath. Spa services may include: bathing, towel drying, brushing, and pampering so these fresh and clean dogs can put their best paw forward.
Cat are generals that need your help! Provide hands-on care to the cats, and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible. Aide-de-Cats help keep the cats and kittens socialized, as well as provide valuable information for potential adopters by filling out the enrichment cards. Cat cuddles and attention are key cornerstones, along with grooming, as permitted by the cat.
Our cats are assigned a color level based on their assessments: green, orange or purple. All cat volunteers, regardless of previous experience, start at the green level. Advancing to orange and purple level cats requires assessment of your skills by a staff member.
Our Rabbit and Small Animal Companions provide hands-on care to the rabbits, Guinea pigs, and other small animals, and assist with ensuring that their shelter living environment is as comfortable as possible. Companions help keep the animals socialized as well as provide valuable information for potential adopters by filling out the enrichment cards. Socializing, cuddles and care are key cornerstones of being a companion.
Client Service Conceirges support administrative staff with:
Shelter Support includes help with laundry, washing dishes and kongs, preparing and distributing enrichment items, organizing, and yard clean up.
This on-call position will assist in transporting shelter animals to and from locations such as community partners, rescue organizations, and veterinarian appointments.
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