To get started, please submit a volunteer application. Within a few days, the Manager of Volunteer Programs will contact you to schedule an orientation time.
The minimum age for volunteering is 10. Volunteers 15 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian Volunteers 16 and 17 years old may come in unaccompanied. There is no upper age limit for volunteers.
Phone: 941-625-6720 Ext. 106 | Email: volunteers@awlshelter.org
Volunteer opportunities at our organization are diverse and cater to a wide range of interests and skills. Whether you're passionate about animal care or prefer administrative tasks, there's a place for you to make a meaningful contribution. Here are some of the volunteer roles we offer:
For more information about some of our more popular programs, please see Volunteer Highlights, below.
To become a Blue Dog Walker, volunteers must meet the following criteria:
If you wish to schedule your safety training, please reach out to us at volunteers@awlshelter.org. Please note that only the Manager of Volunteer Programs can arrange safety training sessions and assign Blue, Red, or Intake walking status.
For detailed safety protocols, you can access them here:
Once you've gained confidence and experience walking the Blue Dogs, you can request Red Dog Walker training. Similarly, Red Dog Walkers may later request Intake Walker training if interested. However, you are welcome to continue as a Blue Walker if that's your preference. We value your commitment and dedication to our furry friends!
Our cat care shifts are available every day, with three convenient time slots:
Our dedicated volunteers work alongside the cat staff member during these shifts, assisting with various essential tasks that include:
Rest assured, all cat care training will be provided on-site. Simply sign up for your first shift, and the cat staff member on duty will guide you through the process. Please note that the minimum age for volunteering in the cat area is 10 years, with a parent or guardian present. Join us in making a difference in the lives of our feline friends!
As a Gardening & Landscaping (G&L) Volunteer at the Animal Welfare League, you have the flexibility to make a meaningful impact at your own pace. Our G&L volunteers play an essential role in maintaining the beauty and functionality of our shelter grounds.
How It Works:
Recording Your Hours:
What to Bring:
While we provide some tools, you're welcome to bring your own if you have preferred equipment. Your dedication to maintaining our shelter's outdoor spaces helps create a welcoming environment for both animals and visitors.
Join our G&L Volunteer team and contribute to the ongoing beauty and functionality of the Animal Welfare League. Your commitment to nurturing our surroundings makes a difference every day!
Join our Events Volunteer team and be part of creating unforgettable experiences for our supporters and the community. Whether it's a fundraiser, adoption event, or celebration, your enthusiasm and commitment make it all possible.
What You'll Do:
Key Qualities:
Flexible Commitment:
As an Events Volunteer, you play a vital role in creating a sense of community and excitement around our initiatives. Your dedication helps us raise funds, increase awareness, and celebrate our mission. Join us in making each event a remarkable one!
Join our Fundraising Volunteer team and help make a difference in the lives of animals by supporting our vital fundraising efforts. Your commitment to fundraising enables us to provide care, shelter, and love to animals in need.
What You'll Do:
Key Qualities:
Flexible Commitment:
As a Fundraising Volunteer, you'll play a crucial role in securing the resources needed to care for animals in our community. Your dedication helps us provide shelter, medical care, and loving homes for countless animals in need. Join us in making a lasting impact through fundraising!
Join our Outreach Volunteer team and become an advocate for animal welfare in our community. Your passion and commitment will help us connect with individuals, organizations, and the community to raise awareness and support for our mission.
What You'll Do:
Key Qualities:
Flexible Commitment:
As an Outreach Volunteer, you'll be a vital part of our mission to raise awareness and build a compassionate community for animals. Your dedication to outreach can help us save lives, find loving homes, and make a positive impact in the lives of animals in need. Join us in spreading the message of animal welfare!
As 2023 draws to a close, it’s a great time to pause and reflect on how far we have come in just 12 months–and to celebrate everything we have done to help the animals who depend on us.
In 2023, AWL volunteers provided more than 32,000 hours of service. That’s the equivalent of 16 full-time employees! Our “average” volunteer is a middle-aged adult with a lot of love and at least a little extra time. However, we also have a strong contingent of Youth Volunteers (17 and younger). This group provided over 1,590 volunteer hours this year! Also, I want to give a shout-out to our Court-Ordered Community Service Volunteers, who provided about 1,000 hours of service here at the shelter, usually at times when we needed it the most.
Our volunteers extend both our reach and our touch in so many ways. Dog and cat care are just the tip of the palm tree! We have more than 47 service areas, and we are always adding more. For example, in 2023, we launched–
Coming up in 2024, we are planning to launch–
Our volunteers allow us to help so many animals and our community in so many ways. If you volunteered with us in 2023, thank you for your service! If you would like to join our volunteer team, please fill out an application or contact me TODAY. Make TODAY the first day of your New Year helping the animals. It’s the best gift you can give them–and yourself!
The Volunteer Office Is Open
7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Tuesday - Saturday
Phone
941-625-6720 x106
We promise that any animal that enters our doors and can be made adoptable through veterinary care and/or training will have a roof over its head, food, enrichment, and the love of our staff
EIN: 59-1146309
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All rights reserved Copyrights 2023 | A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435 7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.