Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Tallahassee Animal Services! The volunteer program is vital to our daily shelter operations and the success of our adoption program. Volunteers donated 17,000 hours to our shelter in 2023!

If you are looking to complete court-ordered community service, this is not the correct application and process. Please call our front office at 850-891-2950 (option 0) to inquire about proper procedure on community service.

General Guidelines

Volunteers must...

• be 16 years of age or older
• be able to commit to 8 hours of service per month
• be able to commit to a minimum of 3 consecutive months of service
• be mature, dependable and able to follow instructions
• be able to demonstrate flexibility and understanding in new situations
• have reliable transportation
• have regular access to email and the internet
• be able to demonstrate good communication skills

Steps to Becoming a Volunteer

• Complete a Volunteer Application through our online portal. You will receive a confirmation email that the application was successfully submitted. If you have a specific question about your application, please email our Volunteer Coordinator.
• Our volunteer coordinator will review your application and contact you via email within two weeks of submission. You may be offered a volunteer interview as part of the application process.
• Following your volunteer interview, you may be offered a volunteer position with our shelter & will be scheduled for our new volunteer orientation.

*Upon acceptance into our Volunteer Program, there will be a $15 Supply and Materials Fee that will be due on your first day to cover the cost of your uniform

Types of Volunteer Opportunities:

Shelter Support Volunteer (Level 1)
All volunteers begin at Level 1 and as a "Shelter Support Volunteer". Volunteers at this level participate with:

• Cleaning kennels
• Feeding animals
• Daily animal enrichment
• Laundry & dishes
  
• Kennel & shelter upkeep

Canine Companion (Level 2)
After completing at least one month of Level 1 volunteering & receiving additional training, volunteers can work with adoptable shelter dogs. Volunteers in this role must be at least 18 years old, or a rising senior in high school and can participate with:

• Dog walking
• Dog enrichment
• Bathing
• Dog socialization
• Field trips & special events
• Playgroup assistants
  

Playgroup Volunteer (Level 3)
Playgroup volunteers get the opportunity to manage groups of dogs playing; this is great for their socialization, physical exercise, and enrichment. Playgroups are fun, interesting, and most importantly, they help our dogs stay relaxed and improve their adoptability. Volunteers can begin participating with Playgroups at Level 2 in a supportive role and move into more advanced roles through hands-on training with staff.

Feline Friend (Level 2)
After completing at least one month of Level 1 & receiving additional training, volunteers looking to work with animals of the feline variety. Volunteers in this roll must be at least 18 years old, or a rising senior in high school and can participate with:

• Kitty cuddling & socialization
• Cat enrichment
• Kitty kennel caretaking
• Match-making and adoption counseling
  

Animal Photographer
Photographs are integral to attracting adopters to our website, so we are always looking for talented animal photographers. As an Animal Photographer you will get to:

• Take awesome animal photos with your own DSLR camera
• Upload photos to our database for posting on our website 

Special Events Volunteer
Special Events Volunteers assist with a variety of adoption and outreach events throughout the year and will:

• Participate in adoption outreach booths throughout the community
• Participate in special adoption event and fund-raising activities
  
• Perform community outreach and facilitate humane education outings

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Vet Team Volunteer Program
The Vet Team Volunteer program was designed for pre-veterinary students and other individuals with an interest in the veterinary profession and allow hands-on experience in the animal welfare field. As a Vet Team Volunteer, you assist our veterinary team with our in-house surgery and medical program. Duties can vary but can include:

• Surgical pack sterilization and preparation
• Laundering the surgical linens
• Assisting with patient preparation for and recovery from surgery.
• Other duties may include assisting with animal exams, diagnostics and treatments.

Foster Parent
The shelter accepts almost 5,000 homeless animals every year. With resources and kennel space being limited, we rely heavily on citizens to open their heart and homes to these animals, providing them love and shelter while they wait for their forever homes. If you think this would be a good fit for you, visit our Foster Page.

Animal Shelter Advisory Board Member
The Animal Shelter Advisory Board is always looking for new applicants for membership. The Board is comprised of nine City residents and three County residents. They assist in the development of mission and policies and review and recommend long range planning and budgeting. In addition, they serve as liaisons to the community, increasing support and awareness of Animal Services. If you are interested in becoming a Board Member, please see the Advisory Board page. The meetings are open to the public. Please email if you are interested in attending.