VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Help keep our shelter pets happy and healthy by providing daily care, exercise, and socialization. Volunteers in this role may assist with:

• Walking and socializing dogs
• Playing with and comforting cats
• Providing enrichment activities for animals
• Cleaning and organizing animal areas

Spread awareness and support our lifesaving mission by volunteering at community events! You can:

• Assist at adoption and fundraising events
• Represent FAHS at public outreach opportunities
• Help with adoption events
• Help with event setup, registration, and coordination

Not all volunteer work involves direct animal care—there are many behind-the-scenes ways to help! Volunteers can assist with:

• Laundry and dishwashing
• Organizing donations and supplies
• Administrative tasks and data entry

FAHS is dedicated to humanely managing community cat populations through our TNR program. Volunteers help ensure free-roaming cats are trapped, spayed/neutered, and safely returned to their outdoor homes. Key TNR roles include:

• Site Visitor – Visit trapping locations before surgery dates to assess the colony and develop a trapping plan.
• Trapper – Set humane traps and monitor them to ensure safe capture.
• Transporter – Drive cats to and from veterinary appointments.
• Pre-Surgery Care – Provide safe, temporary housing for trapped cats before their surgery.
• Post-Surgery Care – Monitor cats during recovery, ensuring they are fed and housed safely before being released.
• Veterinarians & RVTs – We are always in need of veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians who are willing to donate their time to community cats. Your skills directly impact our ability to save lives and reduce overpopulation.

Our foster families play a vital role in saving homeless pets by providing temporary care for young, small, or medically fragile animals who aren’t yet ready for the shelter. By opening their homes and hearts to these animals, fosters create a renewable lifesaving resource—giving each pet the time, care, and socialization they need to thrive before adoption.

For more information on our fostering program, to apply to be a FAHS foster, and for separate dates for our Fostering 101 classes, visit our fostering page.

• Volunteers must be 16 years or older (under 16 may volunteer with a parent/guardian)
• Volunteers must be 18 years or older to interact directly with shelter dogs.
• Volunteers must submit a volunteer application and attend a volunteer orientation.

Before getting started, all new volunteers must attend a Volunteer Orientation at FAHS. This session is designed to give you a complete overview of our shelter, volunteer expectations, and how you can make the biggest impact.

During our 1-hour orientation, you will:

• Learn about FAHS and our mission
• Get an introduction to each volunteer role and how to get started
• Take a guided tour of our facility, including animal care areas
• Learn about safety protocols and best practices for volunteering
• Have the opportunity to ask questions and find the best volunteer fit for you

Submitting a volunteer application and attending orientation are the first steps in becoming a volunteer. Once completed, you’ll be ready to begin making a difference in the lives of animals in need!