El Cajon Campus
Volunteer recruitment is currently closed, please check back in December.
Assist our staff in serving pet owners and the homeless or stray animals of El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee.
New volunteers join the team and help with non-animal handling activities in our Guest Relations and/or Animal Care departments. Learn about animal sheltering and San Diego Humane Society services all while supporting our daily work!
Volunteer Activities:
Guest Guide between 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tues-Sun
Be the first smiling face our visitors see when they arrive on campus. Provide a welcoming experience by greeting each guest and connecting them with the services they need. Community members visit us for many different reasons, such as adopting a new family member, bringing in a found stray, receiving free pet food and supplies, reclaiming a lost pet or having to relinquish their pet. Whatever they need, our Guest Guides are there to assist them with compassion.
Animal Care – Morning Cleaning Routine between 7 a.m.- 10 a.m.
Assist staff with cleaning kennels for dogs, cats, rabbits or guinea pigs. May also assist with laundry and dishes. These tasks do not involve handling animals which allows volunteers to get started and make an impact quickly, with limited training requirements. Helping with these daily tasks ensures the animals are well taken care of and comfortable while at the shelter.
Animal Care - Projects between 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Assist with enrichment projects to support the care of the animals. Tasks include prepping treats, cleaning dishes, laundry and spot cleaning kennels.
Animal Handling Activities
After ten hours and two months of successful service on this team, volunteers 18 and older are eligible to apply to step up to an animal handling team to support activities such as dog walking, cat socializing, kitten care in our kitten nursery etc. We recruit for these teams throughout the year, as needed. These roles require online and hands on training, more responsibility and a weekly 2 hour shift commitment.
Minimum commitment:
One 2-hour shift, twice a month.
Flexible schedule - Shifts are booked online by the volunteer.
Volunteer Requirements:
Age - Volunteers 16 or older may volunteer unaccompanied. Under 16 but interested in getting involved? Check out our DIY page or Youth Services page!
Access to email - All volunteer communication is done via email.
Ability to complete online training courses - accessible on computers and cell phones
Application Process:
Please check back in December, volunteer recruitment is currently closed.
Volunteer interview and training is typically completed within 4 weeks of applying. Our onboarding process includes:
- Application - We recruit new volunteers throughout the year, on an as-needed basis. Our online application is posted below during open recruitment periods.
- Online Learning - Complete your online courses from home and then schedule your onsite interview.
- Onsite Interview - This small group session includes a behind-the-scenes walking tour and an opportunity to practice the volunteer duties to determine if our activities are the right fit for you.
- Training - New volunteers complete online and in-person training, a self-guided series based on the interest of each individual volunteer.
