Volunteer
Thank you so much for your interest in joining AWS’ team of dedicated and caring volunteers. Volunteers provide invaluable service to our animals, programs, services and the community members we help.
Ways to Get Involved
We offer flexible schedules and have many difference opportunities for you to help! From cleaning kennels in the Adoption Center to caring for a pet (fostering) in your own home, from attending an event to helping out in the veterinary clinic, every volunteer makes a difference. Thank you for positively impacting the lives of the pets we care for and the people we serve in our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach out if you have other questions or concerns.
Yes! We welcome people of all ages to help out. Youth 15 years old or younger are welcome to volunteer at AWS with a parent or guardian volunteering alongside them. Furthermore, those aged 16-17 are welcome to volunteer individually with a parent or guardian’s consent.
For the most part, opportunities to help out take place during the day, 8 am – 4 pm, seven days a week. We encourage those who work a traditional M-F schedule, consider a weekend daytime shift. For those interested specifically in dog training, our Canine Training Team may have some evening hours, when classes are in session.
AWS is a big facility and there is truly something for everyone! Therefore, tasks could include:
- Cleaning dog kennels
- Cleaning cat housing
- Tidying up animal spaces
- Walking dogs
- Visiting with cats or small animals
- Making enrichments and toys
- Assisting veterinary staff
- Helping with training classes
- Supporting animal transports
- Participating in events
- Doing laundry (so much laundry!!)
- Running errands
- Sorting donations
- Washing windows
- Folding envelopes
- Answering telephone inquiries
- Greeting guests in the Adoption Center lobby
- And much, much more!
Thank you for your interest! To get started, fill out our application (adult or youth). The application asks questions about your availability, your interest and your skills. Once we receive your application, we will be in touch to invite you to an upcoming orientation.
It helps us tremendously to have our volunteers commit to a set schedule (say every Wednesday from 9 am – 11 am). However, we are flexible. If helping out at our facility doesn’t work with your schedule, there are ways you can help outside of AWS, either animal-based (fostering AWS pets in your own home or taking dogs on dates) or project-based (making supplies, treats and more for AWS pets via our At-Home Project Guide.)
We have limited opportunities for groups. When we can host a group, tasks can include grooming our walking trails, painting or helping at events. In fact, our biggest event of the year, Woofstock, is a GREAT way to help out as a group and make a big difference at AWS!
Volunteer & Foster Spotlight
Let us shine the spotlight on some of of the amazing people who support our work! We couldn’t do it without the lasting love and support from you!
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Dog Date Super Team Francesca & Conor
For this Foster Friday, we’re highlighting the incredible super team of dog dater’s Francesca and Conor! You may recognize their photos from our social media or animal profiles, because these two not only take AWS dogs on incredible dog dates in Southern Maine, but they also take incredible photos of their adventures and share them with us!! We’re so grateful for all of the time they spend helping the dogs spend time outside of the Adoption Center, as well as helping them find their new homes with all of the amazing photos! Hear from this super team about their experience…
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Celebrating our Kitten Fosters
For this Foster Friday, and International Cat Day, we thank our dedicated kitten fosters! These kindhearted folks open up their hearts and homes to mama cats and their babies and keep them happy and healthy until it’s time to be adopted. In fact, kitten season isn’t just summertime here at AWS – it’s all year round! Just this year alone, our foster families have provided more than 12,000 HOURS of care to young cat families. We couldn’t do it without you! Why Foster? Our fosters make a significant impact in the lives of animals in our community! Each foster allows…
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Woofstock Volunteer Spotlight
With Woofstock nearly a week away, we’d like to highlight the many folks who make Woofstock possible! From morning set up to afternoon breaking down, it wouldn’t be a success without our Woofstock Volunteers. While it’s impossible to name everyone, we want to give a special shoutout to the volunteers who man the very busy retail table! With their impeccable customer service, patient and kind personas (not to mention t-shirt folding talents), with these volunteers at the helm, we sell out our t-shirts each and every year! While we won’t name them here, they know who they are! Thank you!…
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Summer of Fun at AWS: Fostering Flowers
This summer at AWS is all about having fun with our community. Take part in AWS’ summer of fun by fostering flowers, fostering pets and fostering fun! Foster Flower Beds We’re opening our campus’ beautiful flower beds to local businesses this summer! With forty acres and several beautiful gardens, AWS’ campus is wonderful place for our dogs to walk, our community cats to free roam, and our community to enjoy while visiting AWS. How can you help? Our brand-new foster a flower bed program is seeking sponsorships from area businesses and corporations. This is a great way for your employees…
Questions?
For more information, please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator via email or telephone at (207) 985-3244 ext. 121.
