Volunteer Roles and Steps

Volunteer Roles

  • Dog Volunteer - Tier 1
  • Dog Volunteer - Tier 2
  • Cat Volunteer
  • Rabbit Volunteer
  • Green Team
  • Fosters
  • Enrichment Team

Volunteer Opportunity summaries:

  • Dog TLC - Our dog volunteers walk our dogs, take them to play yards and spend time with them in their kennels. With additional training, they may take them out on hikes, to shelter events and on sleepovers. Volunteers also help clients meet animals once they are approved to adopt.
  • Cat TLC - Our cat volunteers play with the cats in the kennel, spend time with them in our get-acquainted rooms and help clients meet animals once they are approved to adopt.
  • Rabbit TLC - Our rabbit volunteers provide enrichment, give in kennel cuddles and set up X-pens so they can hop around and get exercise.
  • Green Team - Our green team does all of our landscaping including but not limited to - tending to our plants, laying new mulch in the yards, watering our grass, and much, much more! (please email Leslie at leslie.haddad@santacruzcountyca.org if interested!)
  • Fosters - Our fosters care for shelter animals in their home while the wait to go to their furever home. (please email Jillian.Ganley@santacruzcountyca.gov if interested!)
  • Enrichment Team - Daily fun activities to keep the animals engaged and entertained. These include but aren’t limited to enrichment yard activities, Kongs, lick mats, puzzle toys, kibble rolls, boxes and more!

These three steps are required for all volunteers

Step 1. Attend an In Person Orientation by signing up here: Becoming a Volunteer – Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter

Step 2. Register in our volunteer portal called Get Connected by making a Volunteer profile HERE.

Step 3. Complete the VIP Program Application here:

Animal Shelter Volunteer Application | Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County

Please note that it may take up to 72 hours for your application to be processed.

Dog Volunteer Training

Step 4. Dog TLC Class: Sign up for a Dog TLC Class in the Classes/Orientations section.

Step 5. Mentoring Session: After you have attended the class, you can sign up for a mentoring session which will be in the Volunteer Shifts-Dog Mentoring section.

Step 6. Sign up For Shifts: Once the class and mentoring session are finished then you can start signing up for shifts on our Volunteer Shifts site!

Cat Volunteer Training

Step 4. Cat TLC Video: Please watch the Cat TLC video in the Training Videos section. 

Step 5. Mentoring Session: Sign up for a Cat TLC mentoring session on our Volunteer Shifts- Cat Mentoring site.

Step 6: Sign up for Shifts   Once you have filled out all paperwork you are then ready to sign up for shifts using out Volunteer Shifts site!

Rabbit Volunteer Training

Step 4. Mentoring Session: Please sign up for a Rabbit Mentoring session on the Volunteer Shifts- Rabbit Mentoring site.

Step 5: Sign Up for Shifts After your mentoring session you can sign up for shifts in Volunteer Shifts