There are a lot of ways to get involved at the Roanoke Valley SPCA! Below is a list of the many opportunities for volunteers which include positions within our shelter and representing the Roanoke Valley SPCA in our community. If any of these volunteer opportunities interest you, please head to the How to Volunteer tab to get started.

Don’t see something you’re interested in? Reach out to Volunteer and Pet Retention Programs Coordinator to share your ideas! We are always open to suggestions. If you have the will, we have a way for you to volunteer! Contact our Pet Retention Programs Coordinator, Erin Dams, at edams@rvspca.org or 540-339-9503.

We require that all volunteers bring a kind, open-minded, and non-judgmental attitude towards members of our community who are in need. We do not tolerate rudeness or discrimination when volunteers are representing the Roanoke Valley SPCA.

Cat Condo Cleaning Crew

Crew members donate time to become our adoptable cats’ and kittens’ personal assistant, gourmet chef, maid, and best friend! This position is designed to ensure cats in our care are being properly taken care of, having their emotional needs met, and that our cat rooms follow proper sanitization protocol to keep our cats as healthy as possible. Each shift is typically 2 hours and in the morning.

 

Feline Enrichment Assistant

This position is designed to ensure the cats in our care are given quality, individualized enrichment and that their social, mental, and physical needs are satisfied during their stay. Shifts are typically 1 hour and vary depending on staff availability. Cat Condo Cleaning Crew volunteers are offered enrichment training opportunities first. 

 

Pet Photographer/Photography Assistant

The glamour shots for our adoptable pets do not magically appear on our website! Using carefully chosen backdrops, props, and animal handling techniques, our volunteer photo team goes above and beyond to make amazing images that help animals find their forever homes. Are you a photographer looking to expand your portfolio while giving back? Or are you really good at handling animals and are trying to find a way to help homeless animals in need? Here’s your chance! 

 

Canine Enrichment Assistant

Work 1:1 with our Canine Enrichment Coordinator to brighten a dog’s day and teach them valuable skills that can help them get adopted! This position is designed to ensure the dogs in our care are given quality, individualized enrichment and that their social, mental, and physical needs are satisfied during their stay. Shifts are typically 1 hour and vary depending on staff availability.

 

Office Assistant

This position is designed to help provide excellent customer service to visitors to the shelter, answer phones, and direct calls during the morning hours before Adoption staff arrive. Shifts are typically 2-3 hours in the morning or afternoon.

 

Bilingual (English/Spanish) Assistant

This position is designed to help the Roanoke Valley SPCA be inclusive to our community members by providing Spanish resources and translators for adopters and other visitors who speak Spanish as their first language. Volunteers in this role can work fully remote and help translate materials, or can come into the shelter to help translate at meet and greets. 

 

Community Cat Crew

Crew members help run the Roanoke Valley SPCA Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. help with humane trapping and transporting of outdoor cats, along with community relations work with the cats’ caretakers. This position is designed to lower the number of kittens born outside, improve the lives of outdoor cats in our community, and build relationships within our community. Shifts are typically 2-3 hours and vary during the week.

 

Critter Cab

Help pets get where they need to go! Transport drivers are essential to the Roanoke Valley SPCA so we can get animals the care they need. Drive the Roanoke Valley SPCA van to pick-up pets from other shelters, help with sanitizing it afterwards, and get intake photos if needed. Shifts vary in length and time of day.

 

Visiting Pet Program

Our shelter’s canine Pet Ambassadors, Sophia and Polly, sometimes need a volunteer assistant to help them with their humane education missions! Join the team and help these good girls visit local assisted living communities and more to help enhance the quality of life for their residents. Shifts vary in length and time of day.

 

Humane Education Assistant

Educating others in our community about animals helps people make compassionate, informed, and responsible decisions about their pets. These decisions can help lower the number of animals brought into animal shelters! Volunteers help us teach humane education to elementary students in grades K-6 through our summer camps, birthday parties, schools visits, and more. Shifts vary in length and time of day.

 

Pet Haven Helper

The hardest part of pet ownership is saying goodbye to our beloved fur friends. This position is designed to help show love and respect for our community members and their departed animal companions who have found a final resting place at Pet Haven Memorial Gardens pet cemetery. Pet Haven Helpers help with yardwork and other upkeep at Pet Haven; this is an excellent option for group volunteering and one-time volunteer opportunities for project hours.

 

Special (Events) Agent

Our Special (Events) Agents help out with all the missions outside of and in-between the other volunteer roles! This could include helping with off-site adoption events, fundraising events, community outreach, or activity prep and setup. Tasks might include transporting animals to and from the shelter, handing out information to the public, selling Roanoke Valley SPCA merchandise, and more. The Roanoke Valley SPCA sponsors or participates in many special events throughout the year. Shifts vary in length and time of day.