Volunteer Guidelines

• As a volunteer, your time commitment will vary depending on your assignment. (Please see position descriptions below). We request a minimum of 2-2.5 hours (one shift) per week. There is some flexibility in scheduling, but a commitment of 10 hours per month is appreciated.
• Volunteers are asked to support and promote the mission of the SPCA and abide by the shelter’s written volunteer policies.
• All assignments are arranged with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure the best placement for both the volunteer and the organization.

 Transportation to the SPCA

• A car is highly recommended. The SPCA Annex, in the Shops at Ithaca Mall, is easily accessible via the TCAT bus system. The SPCA’s main adoption center is on TCAT’s Route 41 - Demand and Response (DAR) route during the week, so the nearest scheduled stop is ¾ mile away. If you plan ahead, you can get direct service to the Pet Adoption Center by calling TCAT ahead of time. On the weekend, the SPCA is on Route 74, which only passes the SPCA a few times per day. TCAT Homepage
• The Volunteer Coordinator will help arrange carpool among college students from the same campus. Please complete that portion of the application if you are interested in driving your classmates to the SPCA or if you will need a ride from your campus.

Steps to Becoming a Volunteer

• Complete and submit a volunteer application: You will receive a phone call within two weeks after submission to schedule an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator.
• Interview: This 30 minute meeting gives us a chance to meet you, discuss the position(s) that you are interested in, and to explore the responsibilities of the position(s) before arranging for orientation and training.
• Group Orientation: Within two weeks after the interview, there is a group orientation session. They generally occur on the 1st Thursday and 3rd Sunday of each month and last 1.5-2 hours.
• Shadow Training: During the week following the group orientation, you will receive training by an experienced volunteer or the Volunteer Coordinator. This training session takes anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours, depending on the position for which you are training.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Volunteer Position Descriptions

Cat Socialization

• Spend quality time with the cats, socializing them and helping to keep their apartments clean
• Interact with members of the public and help them find a cat that is purr-fect for their home
• Two shifts: 12pm - 2:30pm and 2:30pm - 5pm daily. Tuesday/Thursday also 5pm - 7pm.
• Suitable for volunteers ages 16 or older. Parental consent required for 16 and 17 year old volunteers. Teens and youth under 16 are welcome to volunteer with a guardian present.

Dog Socialization

• Walk the dogs for exercise, provide enrichment using appropriate equipment and help teach dogs basic obedience
• Interact with members of the public to help them find their new best friend
• Clean up after the dogs, whether outside for a walk, in the play yard or in their rooms
• Three shifts: 10am - 12pm, 12pm - 2:30pm and 2:30pm - 5pm daily. Tuesday/Thursday also 5pm - 7pm
• Suitable for volunteers 18 and older.

 Kennel Cleaner

• Help the staff clean and feed the animals in the morning and help to keep the animals clean and comfortable throughout the day
• Various shifts from 7am - 5pm daily
• Suitable for volunteers ages 16 or older. Parental consent required for 16 and 17 year old volunteers. For safety reasons, we are unable to permit volunteers under the age of 18 to handle dogs.

 Annex Attendant

• Assist Annex staff with customer service, cleaning, cat socialization, stocking and selling merchandise and maintaining a professional appearance of the Annex
• Various shifts during Ithaca Mall hours: Monday-Saturday 10am - 9pm; Sunday 11am - 6pm
• Suitable for volunteers ages 16 or older. Parental consent required for 16 and 17 year old volunteers. Teens and youth under 16 are welcome to volunteer with a guardian present.

Adoption Desk Support

• Meet and greet potential adopters when they arrive at the Pet Adoption Center
• Provide support for the staff at the front desk, including answering the phones, completing adoption paperwork, and providing general animal care information to the public
• Computer knowledge is helpful, and good customer service skills are a must
• Two shifts: 12pm - 2:30pm and 2:30pm - 5pm daily. Tuesday/Thursday also 5pm - 7pm
• Suitable for volunteers 18 and older.

 Humane Education Assistant

• Assist the humane educator both on site at the shelter and at off-site events
• On-site events include giving tours of the shelter and educating groups on humane treatment of animals
• Off-site event support involves attendance at community group events and festivals, educating people about the SPCA and the humane treatment of animals
• Flexible schedule, based on need. Reliable transportation to get to events is necessary
• Suitable for volunteers 18 and older. College students in teacher education programs are desirable.

 Facility Assistant

• Assist the Facilities Manager with day to day tasks in and around the shelter buildings
• Flexible schedule
• Suitable for volunteers 18 and older

 Event/Off-Site Adoption Support

• Help plan, organize and participate in special events and fundraisers in the community
• Hang posters, stuff envelopes and work on other short-term projects as needed
• Help staff bring animals to various sites around the county for potential adoption
• Help set up and take down at these events
• Fun for the whole family!

Foster Care

• Please click here for information

Volunteer Application