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It's a big job to take care of all the animals at The Washington Animal Rescue League, so we welcome your help! The League depends heavily on volunteer support to care for the animals and to help them find their forever homes.Weekend and evening hours are available but the greatest need for volunteer help is Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The League is launching a new volunteer foster home program. If you would like to find out more about how you can help dogs and cats by giving them a temporary place to stay in your home, please call the volunteer manager at 202-726-2556, ext. 217 or complete a foster volunteer application as found below.
League volunteers perform the following duties:
Dog Walkers provide socialization and exercise to dogs to keep them healthy and happy until they are adopted. Dog walkers must be able to lift 50 pounds and be willing and able to handle all breeds and sizes of dogs.
Cat Socializers work with cats and kittens to keep them content and healthy until they are adopted.
Adoption Counselors answer questions, show animals to potential adopters, and recommend appropriate animals for adoption. Adoption counselors must become familiar with the animals and their temperaments and understand the League’s adoption procedures and the Meet Your Match Program.
Development Volunteers help with special events, clerical work, mailings, and data entry.
Special Event Volunteers set up and break down equipment, staff tables, sell items, manage registration, collect donations, etc.
Offsite Adoption Event Representatives work at stores and businesses, handing out information, showcasing available pets, collecting donations, and answering basic questions.
Adoption Event Coordinators work with the volunteer manager and the adoptions manager to plan and execute offsite adoption events. They attend the events from start to finish and direct other volunteers. Most events are on weekends and utilize one of the League’s vans.
Greeters welcome visitors to the League, help them sign in, direct them to appropriate areas, answer basic questions, and assist with the Meet Your Match Survey.
Animal Care Volunteers scoop and mop dens, wash bowls and litter pans, fold laundry, clean glass, etc.
Animal Hospital Volunteers help with daily medical care of shelter and public animals, do light cleaning, and assist with vaccination clinics and other special clinics. These volunteers must be 18 years or older.
Administrative Volunteers provide support for a variety of tasks as directed by the development department, executive director, volunteer manager, adoption manager, and/or kennel manager.
Foster Care Providers take appointed special-needs or under-socialized cats, dogs, puppies, or kittens into their homes. All supplies and pertinent instructions are provided by the League. These volunteers must be 18 years old.
Please note :
- All volunteers must attend a general orientation to learn about the League, and the work we do here. Orientations are held twice a month. They last 1 1/2 hours. At the orientation, volunteers who want to work with the animals will be provided with the dates and times for the next mandatory classes: Dog Walking or Cat Socialization. Volunteers need to commit to working 6 hours a month for a whole year
- Dog walking volunteers need to be in good health and able to lift 50 pounds.
- Children between the ages of 12-17 may become junior volunteers, but they need to apply with a parent or guardian, who becomes a volunteer as well and continually supervises the junior volunteer. Each junior volunteer needs to be accompanied by one adult.
Volunteer Application
Junior Volunteer Application
(ages 12-17)
Foster Volunteer Applications:
Why Should You Volunteer?
"Becoming a volunteer at the League is one of the best things I have ever done! I enjoy it so much and feel that I'm a part of something wonderful! I'm a part of a team of people both on staff and who volunteer that are doing something to ensure the well-being of animals that under other circumstances might have otherwise had a very bleak outcome… [You] are doing such a great service to all concerned, both human and animals." -Karen Koostra, volunteer
Volgistics Link for Existing Volunteers
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