Professional Skills
Donate your time, energy and talent in a meaningful way to animals in need!
How to Become a Pro Bono Volunteer
- Apply for a position.
- Phone or in person interview.
- Qualified applicants selected for a volunteer position will be trained on San Diego Humane Society policies and procedures by our professional staff. This includes online and in person training.
Pro Bono Opportunities
Veterinary Professionals - DVM
Volunteer with our Veterinary team during surgery, treatments and/or in our vaccine clinics.
Requirements:
- Must submit resume when applying that includes at least one year of clinic experience
- DVM volunteers must complete a background and possess a valid CA DVM license.
- Applicants interested in volunteering surgical skills must already be proficient in high-quality, high-volume spay neuter techniques at the time of application. Training is provided for San Diego Humane Society policies and procedures.
- Typical commitment is one 3-4 hour shift per week.
Campuses currently recruiting volunteers:
- San Diego Campus Shelter Hospital and Community Vet Services
- Escondido Campus Shelter Hospital
- Oceanside Campus Shelter Hospital
- El Cajon Campus Shelter Hospital
Veterinary Professionals - RVT/VA
Volunteer with our Veterinary team at the shelter during surgery, treatments and/or in our vaccine clinics.
Our free microchipping events out in the community are a vital part of our mission, enabling us to provide a lifeline for lost or missing pets. Volunteers join us at these community events and work alongside our Medical team to implant microchips or assist with restraining pets using Fear Free methods. By volunteering your expertise with us, you'll be an essential link in the chain of reuniting pets with their families and bringing comfort and peace of mind to pet owners. This is a great role for volunteers with advanced animal handling experience or RVT/VAs looking for an impactful opportunity to engage with the community.
Requirements:
- Must submit resume when applying that includes at least one year of clinic experience
- RVT volunteers must possess a valid CA RVT certification.
- Applicants interested in volunteering surgical skills must already be proficient in high-quality, high-volume spay neuter techniques at the time of application. Training is provided for San Diego Humane Society policies and procedures.
- Typical commitment is one 3-4 hour shift per week.
- Additional Opportunity: Community Engagement Microchip Assistant
Campuses currently recruiting volunteers:
- San Diego Campus Shelter Hospital
Professional Photographers
Shelter Animal Photographers conduct weekly photo shoots for adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals to be used as promotional photos on the animals’ online profiles. Volunteers will also be asked to serve as event photographers to cover various fundraising events throughout the year. Volunteer applicants must submit a professional portfolio, including samples of companion animal photography, to be reviewed for quality and brand fit. They must also use their own photo equipment. Professional animal photography experience preferred. Typical commitment is one 2-hour shift per week.
Campuses currently recruiting volunteers:
- San Diego Campus
- Escondido Campus
- Oceanside Campus
- El Cajon Campus
Professional Videographers
All positions filled - application currently closed
Shelter Animal/Event Videographers shoot and edit videos for adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals to be used as promotional videos on the animals’ online profiles. Volunteers will also be asked to serve as event videographers to cover various stories and fundraising events throughout the year. Volunteers must submit a professional portfolio, including samples of videography work to be reviewed for quality and brand fit. Professional videography experience preferred, but will also consider students and story telling enthusiasts with own camera or high quality cell phone. Comittment is a weekly set shift, typically 2 hours in length; training provided.
Professional Dog Trainers
All positions filled - application currently closed
Professional Dog Trainers and Animal Behavior Specialists assist the Behavior & Training team with training and behavior modification for shelter animals. Volunteer trainers may also assist the Behavior & Training team with public classes, translation of behavior & training resource center articles into Spanish (if applicable), public behavior support and outreach events. Volunteers must successfully complete a working interview prior to volunteering and possess a valid animal training or behavior specialist certification (CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CTC, CBCC-KA, CAAB, etc). Typical commitment is one 2-4 hour shift per week.
Professional Groomers
All positions filled - application currently closed
Professional Groomers assist with grooming adoptable animals at the shelter or at your grooming salon. Volunteer groomers must be have professional grooming experience with bathing, cleaning ears, trimming nails and cutting/working with a variety of coats. Typical commitment is one 3-4 hour shift per week/everyother week. Volunteers use own grooming equipment.
Professional Bathers assist with bathing dogs at the shelter. Volunteer bathers must be have professional experience with bathing and cleaning ears. Typical commitment is one 3-4 hour shift per week/every other week.