Volunteer Opportunities

Adoption Counselor
Assist possible adopters with their selection of a new family member. Adoption Counselors must be willing to commit to one 3-hour day per week. Training in the Meet Your Match™ Program and our adoption process will be provided.

Dog Walking/Training
Help exercise the dogs while teaching them basic commands and leash manners. Lowering the stress on the dogs by providing "quiet time" and time away from their kennel aids in their adoptability. Training in the Open Paw method will be provided.

Humane Education
Assist with bringing humane education to elementary students in grades K-6. Educators and community leaders recognize the character building benefits of our humane education program, which emphasizes basic values such as fairness, compassion and responsibility, and peaceful conflict resolution.

Kennel Assistant
Assist the kennel staff with cleaning of cages/kennels and general cleaning of the shelter as needed. This position requires a 2-hour commitment once a week.

Special Events
Help out at off-site adoption events, fundraising events, or with community outreach. Tasks include transporting animals to and from the shelter, helping with set-up and clean-up, handing out information to the public and selling RVSPCA merchandise. The RVSPCA sponsors or participates in many special events throughout the year.

Foster Care
The RVSPCA accepts animals in need of extra care and attention, such as orphaned animals, newborn litters of puppies or kittens, and pets recovering from illness or injury. Temporary homes for these animals may be needed from 2-6 weeks, depending upon the need of the animal(s). The RVSPCA also places animals in temporary homes for shorter periods of time (2 weeks) until kennel space is available at the shelter.

The RVSPCA provides food, medication (if needed), veterinary care and support for our foster families. Volunteers who have been approved as foster care families provide the extra TLC the animals require until they are ready for adoption. This volunteer activity requires extra time and commitment, but is very rewarding! Foster families must complete the Foster Care Application.

If any of these volunteer opportunities appeal to you, please complete an online application. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Ruth Pierce, at 540.339.9506 or rpierce@rvspca.org for more information.