An organization like the Placer SPCA is only as good as our volunteers – and our volunteers are the best!
With the dedicated assistance of our volunteers, the Placer SPCA is able to maintain high-quality care of the animals and continue its life-saving work through innovative programs and services to the community. If you love animals and would like to make a difference in their lives, we would love for you to join our team of dedicated volunteers.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older or teams ages 13-17 can be accompanied by their legal guardian. We require a commitment of four hours of volunteer service per month for at least six months.
Please read the information below to learn more about how to become a Placer SPCA Volunteer.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Placer SPCA! Attending an In-Person Orientation is the first step toward helping companion animals find their forever homes. Registration for orientation is required to become a Placer SPCA Volunteer.
Volunteer Requirements – Please Read Before Registering for a Volunteer Orientation:
- Solo volunteers must be an adult (18+)
- Jr. Volunteer Teams (one parent/legal guardian PLUS a teen: ages 13 to 17). Teens MUST be accompanied by their own parent or legal guardian at all times. ***When registering for a Jr. Team spot ONLY REGISTER FOR ONE TICKET under Jr. Team (this will cover for both the parent/legal guardian PLUS one teen).***
- The volunteer commitment is a minimum of 4 hours of volunteering per month.
- Registration is required to attend the in-person orientation. We do not accept drop-in attendees at orientation.
- No refunds or transfers to other orientation dates.
- Additional virtual training is required before volunteering/fostering with animals.
- Placer SPCA does not offer court-ordered volunteer hours.
Dog Habitat Socializer & Walker
Dog Habitat Socializer & Walker
If you’re looking to enhance the visitor experience and work directly with our dogs, this is the volunteer position for you! There are two levels within this position which require training that must be taken in succession. You may choose to stop at level 1 or you may advance to levels 2 as you gain additional dog handling and dog training skills.
TRAINING & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Attend Volunteer Orientation
- Dog Level 1 – Habitat Heroes (Dogs)
Following orientation, you will attend a 2.5-hour virtual classroom presentation about becoming a dog volunteer. This class will be followed by a virtual tour and a written quiz. You will learn how to train our dogs in their habitats and how to enhance the visitor experience. - Dog Level 2 – Out & About
You will attend a 2-hour virtual classroom presentation, followed by a quiz. Once you have passed, you will then sign-up for a hands-on training session with an experienced volunteer where you will learn more advanced dog training skills. You must pass a hands-on skills test to become an official Out & About volunteer. Once you pass a hands-on skill test, you will then be ready to walk our dogs to our play yards and on neighborhood walks. *Volunteers must be 18+ for this role.
Cat Socializer
Work with cats and kittens, keeping them well socialized and exercised. This decreases their stress, keeps them healthy and increases their adoptability.
TRAINING & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Attend Volunteer Orientation
- Cat Level 1 – Habitat Heroes (Cats)
Following orientation, you will attend a virtual 2-hour classroom presentation about becoming a cat volunteer. This class will be followed by a virtual tour and a written quiz.
Rabbit/Critter Socializer
Work with rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, mice, etc. Handling these animals keeps them well socialized, gives them exercise, can lessen their stress and makes them more adoptable.
TRAINING & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Attend Volunteer Orientation
- Level 1 – Rabbitat Heroes
Following orientation, you will attend a virtual 1.5-hour classroom presentation about becoming a critter volunteer, followed by a written quiz and hands-on training.
Get Acquainted Team Member (Volunteers ages 18+ only)
Provides guidance and counseling to the public during the process of animal selection ensuring the right people are adopting the right animal for their life situation. Get Acquainted Team Members are expected to work with potential adopters to help them find the right match. Get Acquainted Team Members can work in the shelter or at mobile adoption sites in the community. Shifts are usually 2-4 hours in length.
TRAINING & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Attend Volunteer Orientation
- Complete all required animal virtual classes for the animals you wish to counsel:
- Dogs: Habitat Heroes (Dogs) and Out & About
- Cats: Habitat Heroes (Cats)
- Critters: Rabitat Heroes
- Adoption Counselor Training
***Following all required trainings, potential Get Acquainted Team Members must be approved by the Director of Programs & Volunteers.***
Pet Mobile
The Placer SPCA Pet Mobile is a state-of-the-art, 20-foot custom trailer that travels to areas throughout the County to showcase some of the wonderful animals we have available for adoption.
TRAINING & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Attend Volunteer Orientation
- Complete all required animal virtual classes for the animals you wish to handle:
- Dogs: Habitat Heroes (Dogs) and Out & About
- Cats: Habitat Heroes (Cats)
- Critters: Rabitat Heroes
- Adoption Counselor Training
- Pet Mobile Driving Training with experienced Pet Mobile Driver volunteer*
*Only if interested in becoming a Pet Mobile Driver. Volunteer must be 21 years of age with a clean driving record, and be willing and able to drive a full-size truck with a 20-foot trailer.
Foster Volunteer
Many of the animals that come into the Placer SPCA end up needing to spend time in a foster home. While a majority of the foster needs are for kittens, our dogs, cats and critters also benefit from foster care to recover from illness or surgery, get a break from the stressful shelter environment or work on behavior issues.
TRAINING & RESPONSIBILITIES:
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- Attend Volunteer Orientation
- Attend Foster Orientation (Facebook Group)
- Foster Animal Training (Facebook Group)
Following orientations, you will need to sign-up for foster-specific classes depending on the animals you wish to care for through our private Placer SPCA Facebook training group. For more information, please contact volunteer@placerspca.org.
Thrift Store Volunteer
We’re always happy to welcome fun, new people to join our team! We can use your skills to sort, price, display, cashier and work with customers. Volunteers must be 18 years or older and commit to one 4-hour shift per week (i.e. Every Monday from (9:30am-1:30pm).
TRAINING & RESPONSIBILITIES:
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- Attend Volunteer Orientation
- Attend Thrift Store Training
During this training, we will assess your interests and availability to place you in the appropriate role within the Thrift Store.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
There are many other ways to help that don’t require hands-on training with the animals.
- Attend Volunteer Orientation
Following orientation, you can assist in a variety of ways around the organization such as:
- Center Greeters
- Special Events*
- Administrative/Mailing*
*These are on an as-needed basis and may not fulfill your 4-hour commitment. For more information, please contact volunteer@placerspca.org.
