San Diego Campus
Assist staff in serving pet owners and the homeless or stray animals of Central and South San Diego.
New volunteers help with non-animal handling activities as part of our Guest Relations and Animal Care teams. Learn about animal sheltering and San Diego Humane Society services all while supporting our daily work!
Volunteer Activities:
Guest Guide
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. Shifts typically available 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday.
Animal Care – Morning Cleaning Routine between 7a.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
Shifts helping with shelter and enrichment projects, such as laundry, dishes, treat prep etc., currently fill quickly. Although this may be an option, our greatest need at this time is for volunteers who are interested in assisting with morning routine or guest service.
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 every other week.
Flexible schedule.
Shifts are booked online by the volunteer.
Volunteer Requirements:
Age - Volunteers 16 or older may volunteer unaccompanied. Volunteers 14/15 can volunteer if accompanied by a parent or guardian, who is also an approved volunteer. Under 14 but want to get 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:
At this time, volunteer interviews, offers and training is typically completed within 4 weeks after 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 of the multi-building campus 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.
