Recruiting Volunteers for Your Animal Shelter
A strong volunteer program is the backbone of every successful animal shelter. Volunteers bring energy, compassion, and valuable skills that directly improve the lives of homeless pets. From walking dogs to helping with administrative work, there is a role for everyone. When volunteers feel appreciated, the whole shelter benefits.
This guide shares practical, creative, and proven ways to recruit and retain volunteers for your shelter while ensuring that tasks match each person’s abilities and interests.
Match Skills and Ages to the Right Roles
Not every volunteer can or should do the same work. By creating a list of age-appropriate and skill-appropriate tasks, you make sure both volunteers and your shelter’s needs are well served.
Examples include:
Young kids: Assemble food enrichment items. Dogs will love them even if they are not perfect.
Seniors: Sit with puppies or kittens in an office to help socialize them without the risk of being knocked over.
For more structured ideas, check out WWLDO’s Volunteer Programs and Practices.
Ask People Directly to Volunteer
According to Best Friends Animal Society, most people volunteer simply because they were asked. Here are a few ways to extend the invitation:
Host a special event and encourage current volunteers to bring a friend.
Have board members share a list of potential volunteers.
Include volunteer opportunities in your newsletter with a checkbox for more information on your donation-response form.
Use Flyers and Posters to Attract Volunteers
Printed materials remain a powerful, low-cost way to find animal shelter volunteers.
List clear, appealing volunteer positions.
Offer opportunities for different skill levels and schedules.
Keep the text minimal and use eye-catching images.
Post them in high-traffic areas such as vet clinics, pet stores, gyms, libraries, grocery store community boards, and places of worship.
Ask current volunteers to help distribute them around town to reach more potential helpers.
Create a Doggy Day Out Program
A Doggy Day Out program lets members of the public take a shelter dog on a short outing such as a hike, a trip to the lake, or even a sleepover.
Tips for success:
Provide safety guidelines including a double leash, harness, list of dog-friendly locations, and emergency contacts.
Give the dog an “Adopt Me” bandana.
Ask volunteers to take photos and write a short summary of the dog’s behavior.
This is a fun way for people to get involved and for dogs to get exercise, enrichment, and adoption exposure.
Involve Young Volunteers
Children and teens can make a meaningful difference in your shelter’s mission.
Partner with elementary school Kindness Clubs for toy-making, food drives, or crafting “Adopt Me” bandanas.
Contact local middle and high schools to offer community service hours for volunteering. Teens can help with social media, write for the school paper, assist with feeding prep, or handle laundry.
Partner with college campuses. Students often miss their pets and will gladly walk or play with dogs during campus visits.
Show Appreciation All Year
Recognizing volunteers is critical to keeping them motivated. Highlight volunteers on social media, celebrate during National Volunteer Week in April, and regularly acknowledge their contributions.
The ASPCA notes that showing appreciation helps keep volunteers happy, motivated, and engaged. It also reduces turnover and fosters a sense of community.
Offer Specialized Volunteer Groups
Courage Builders: Older volunteers who sit with dogs and provide calm companionship.
Religious Partnerships: Connect with local houses of worship that have pet ministries.
Volunteer at Home: Provide a handout for families with kids, suggesting activities like making toys, baking treats, or hosting supply drives.
Reconnect With Former Volunteers
Reach out to past volunteers to learn why they stopped. This feedback can improve your program and may encourage them to return.
Also consider short-term repeat volunteers such as college students who can help during school breaks.
Make Volunteering Fun and Accessible
Take a Dog to Work Day: Great for socializing dogs and freeing shelter space for cleaning or training.
Corporate Volunteer Days: Partner with companies for large projects such as landscaping or painting.
Liability Waivers for Young Volunteers: Allow kids to help under parental supervision.
Volunteer Wheel: A game to assign tasks, especially fun for teens.
Promote Volunteer Opportunities Everywhere
Post on VolunteerMatch.com and social media.
Share in free community newspaper listings and radio PSAs.
Set up volunteer tables at pet stores or community events.
Pin flyers to school and college boards.
Final Thoughts
Recruiting volunteers is about connecting with people, matching their skills to your needs, and showing gratitude for their efforts. By building strong relationships with volunteers, your shelter will not only get more help but will also create a dedicated community working together to save animal lives.
