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. 

Home | Volunteer Opportunities

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 to our Volunteer Coordinator 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. Through our Youth Programs, we offer a number of other special opportunities for students in our community our help out with our operations and programming.

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! 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 volunteer application (adult or youth). The application asks questions about your availability, your interest and your skills. Once we receive your application, our Volunteer Coordinator 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 volunteering at AWS 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 volunteer as a group and make a big difference at AWS! For youth or school groups, please contact our Youth Programs Coordinator for details on scheduling a volunteer visit.

Volunteer & Foster Spotlight

Let us shine the spotlight on some of our amazing volunteers, foster families, and community volunteer programs! We couldn’t do it without the lasting love and support from you!

  • Why Foster a Dog?

    Why Foster a Dog?

    Happy Foster Friday! We like to celebrate our foster families, our fostering community, and the act of fostering itself every Friday here at AWS. There are many wonderful and beneficial […]

    Read More

  • Foster Friday: Snowball & Marshmallow

    Foster Friday: Snowball & Marshmallow

    Happy Friday! Our foster families make a huge difference in the lives of our animals by opening up their doors to adoptable pets who need some time away from the […]

    Read More

  • One Year of Doggy Dates

    One Year of Doggy Dates

    Happy Valentine’s Day! One year ago today, we started our Doggy Date Program where our community of short-term fosters take our resident dogs out for an afternoon, night, or sleepover […]

    Read More

  • Luna & Diane

    Luna & Diane

    SMILE ALERT!! On Fridays, we highlight our amazing foster families who do so much for our pets. We wouldn’t be able to care for as many pets as we do […]

    Read More

Questions?

For more information, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator via email or telephone at (207) 985-3244 ext. 121.

Follow Us!

@aws.maine

Ready for the cutest creativity event of the season?!

AWS’ Youth Programs Coordinator, Miss Amanda, as well as professional artist, Piper Castles, from River Tree Arts will be hosting a fun and interactive drawing workshop here at the Boston House at AWS! Designed for students in Grades 6+, children will learn and practice drawing skills of springtime animals while also being able to interact with them! What’s better than drawing alongside some adorable, hoppy bunnies?!

Join the event on Saturday, April 6 from 9 am- Noon. Registration is through River Tree Arts, but you can access the registration form on our website! 50% of all proceeds will be donated directly to AWS. We can’t wait to see your little artists there!
St. Patrick's Day may be over, but we can't miss the opportunity to share this sweet Happy Homes story of a dog previously named Shamrock. Adopted from us years ago, his human sister wrote in to tell us how happy she is with her best friend, now named Coda. We'd definitely say he's one lucky little shamrock alright! 

"Coda is just the most amazing dog ever! He is so humorous and adventurous and I could not think of another reason that I would ever wake up early and walk in below freezing temperatures. But he inspires me to take that nightly stroll! He is so fluffy and loves being snuggled and going to his occasional ice cream stops. I got him when he was just a puppy and I was only in 2nd grade. Now I am 17 and we sure have grown up together. I love him!" 🍀

We love Happy Homes stories like these! Share your own with us by writing in online or posting below!
𝗗𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮, 𝗔𝗪𝗦 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟰. While our friends at @klpdnews work hard to get the electricity up and running, our aptly named bunny Snowball wants everyone to know that AWS' staff, volunteers and resident pets are doing just fine. 🤍
Happy National Puppy Day! One of the best ways to celebrate your furry friend is to learn how to keep them healthy and safe. And since March also happens to be Flea and Tick Prevention Month, now is the perfect time to review where those pesky parasites could be hiding. Ticks like to attach where they can't easily be removed by the host! 

Making sure your pets are up to date on their flea, tick, and parasite medications is the best way to keep them safe from unwanted guests. Even in the winter months, pets should be on preventatives. Happy spring to you and your pup!