Become a Volunteer

Click here to sign up and learn more about our Volunteer Program through a short video

Together, let's create a better community!

Do you love animals and want to make a positive impact on their lives? If you're passionate about making a difference for animals, people and your community, then we would love for you to join our volunteer team!

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization. Here are just a few ways you can get involved: 

• Providing care, exercise and enrichment for dogs, cats and small animals
• Finding loving homes for animals in need 
• Distributing thousands of pounds of pet food to families facing hardship
• Assisting our medical staff with providing low-cost veterinary services
• Supporting glamorous special events
• Providing administrative, data and marketing support from home

We have opportunities in various locations, including:

• Adoption Center: 71 Oglethorpe St. NW | Washington, DC 20011
• Pet Panty: 2000 Alabama Ave. SE | Washington, DC 20020
• Pet Pantry: 1700 Good Hope Rd. SE | Washington, DC 20020
• Remote from your home

Eligibility and Work Environment

Volunteers must be 18 years or older.

We have a variety of volunteer opportunities to meet most individual’s interests and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities in fulfilling their volunteer roles. Please note that we have many remote volunteer opportunities in addition to ones in-shelter.

We'd like to highlight a few factors that may help you determine the type of volunteer activity that best suites you:

• Are you comfortable working with and around cats, dogs, or other small domestic animals?
• Do you have the ability to perform physical activities like lifting and carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, and bending?
• Due to the nature of shelter work, people who volunteer in-person may be exposed to zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures. Please also let us know if you have allergies to animals or to common chemicals.

Have Questions?

Check out our FAQ page for answers to common questions.

Can't find what you're looking for? Email us at [e-mail], and we'll be happy to assist you.