Volunteering

Picture of a Shih tzu sat on a white background

Do you have an interest in the welfare of animals? 

Our volunteers are vital to the success of Friends for Animals, and they find the work very rewarding.  Many of us think about volunteering for years but never act because we don’t like to form attachments to dogs and cats we cannot keep.  If that’s what you’re struggling with, don’t worry!  There are lots of volunteer positions where you do not work directly with the dogs and cats.  It’s important to remember that any volunteer position helps the animals.

Opportunities

Potential volunteers should read the job descriptions listed below or click here for a full list of job descriptions, read the General Guidelines for Volunteers and Benefits of Volunteering. If you find an opportunity that is a good match for you, please print, fill out and sign a Volunteer Application, Liability Waiver, Non-Disclosure Agreement and a Code of Ethics Policy to bring to FFA to discuss your interests. If you’re interested in dog walking, please print, fill out, sign and bring a Dog Walking Policy.

Provide walks, socialization, and cleanup for our dogs. Come get in your steps with our dogs. Walking hours are 9 am 1 pm daily any day of the week.

Help the puppies with socialization skills (touch, new people, sights and sounds, objects and other animals). The puppies need these skills, so they can be ready for their forever homes.

Position is during our “Open to the Public” hours on Thursday, Friday, Sunday 12 pm 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am 5 pm. Duties include greeting and assisting customers, answering the phone and taking messages, and other light office duties. Minimum shift is 2 ½ hours per week.

Are you creative, an event planner or enjoy working at events as part of a team? A few events held in the past have included luncheons, raffles, car and dog washes, photos with Santa, golf tournament and a 5K. Need help in putting together ideas, organizing, getting sponsors, and putting on the events.

We have partnered with PetSmart in Hickory and PetSense in Lenoir to hold adoptions fairs at their stores on alternating Saturdays. Need assistance in helping our staff member watch over the animals during the adoption fairs.

Duties include bathing and grooming our animals onsite in our commercial pet tub. This may be a wet and messy job, but the animals definitely appreciate looking and feeling their best.

Someone to take donated items that we cannot use and sell them on behalf of Friends for Animals. There is a small retail store onsite that could be managed and/or perhaps you attend events and set up a table to sell these items? You would oversee the entire process from pricing, displaying, selling, and handling the money.

Duties include light duty office work to include making copies, using label makers, filing and completing other tasks as needed. Preferred days for this role are Monday Wednesday 1:30 pm 4:30 pm.

Different needs arise that require computer skills from creative graphics to MS Office Suite programs to using our internal software programs. Time commitment will depend on the specific project.

Someone that can fix or build almost anything with basic tools. Are you a jack of all trades who can be our handy oncall person? Hours required depend on the specific repair or upgrade needed.

Someone who can keep our “yard” looking good and safe for our animals and customers. Schedule is flexible.