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 for volunteers and have many different ways you can make a difference!

Frequently Asked Questions

Reach out to our Volunteer & Foster Coordinator if you have other questions or concerns.

Yes! We welcome volunteers of all ages. Youth volunteers 15 years old or younger are welcome to volunteer at AWS with a parent or guardian volunteering alongside them. 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 volunteering opportunities for students in our community.

For the most part, our volunteer opportunities are during the day, 8 am – 4 pm, seven days a week. We encourage those who work a traditional M-F schedule to consider helping out on the weekend. For those volunteers 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 & Foster Coordinator will be in touch to invite you to an upcoming Volunteer Orientation. Then you’ll be ready to start helping!

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. We also offer volunteering opportunities at home, either animal based (fostering AWS pets in your own home) or project based (making supplies, treats and more for AWS pets via our “At-Home Project Guide.”)

We have limited opportunities for groups, and tasks can include grooming our walking trails, painting or helping at events. 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 and foster families.

  • 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 & Foster Coordinator via email or telephone at (207) 985-3244 ext. 121.

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@aws.maine

And the winner is... 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 #𝗔𝗪𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗧! Our feline friends are celebrating with catnip as we speak and of course, they've received bragging rights over the dogs. Maybe next year Team #awsdog can win back the crown but for now, all hail the cats! 

We want to thank our community for their incredible support this Giving Tuesday. Yesterday's friendly competition between dog lovers and cat lovers has brought in an incredible $𝟏𝟏,𝟕𝟐𝟖 in funds to support the health and wellbeing of the pets in our care. We have been blown away by the kindness and generosity of our community of supporters this year and every year. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮!!!
Sheena was expecting another victory for the dogs today, but so far Team #awscat has remained ahead of the game this Giving Tuesday! However, the night’s not over yet! If you think canines are more cuddly than cats (just look at how cozy Sheena is!), donate to Team #awsdog now and help your favorite species win the crown! 👑 #givingtuesday #dogsrule
Sweet Citrus wants you to know that the cats are still ahead in the Giving Tuesday competition, and that if they win he will wear his cone like a crown! 👑 Donate now to vote for Team #awscat and help Citrus be the kitty king!
Hi folks! My name is Zeus and I'm here to tell you that currently, Team #awsdog is down by almost $1000 in this year's Giving Tuesday competition. Geesh! That doesn't make sense to me because the theme is which species is the Coziest Companion: Cats or Canines? I mean, obviously it's dogs! We love to snuggle on the couch with you, in your bed, on the floor, and even in the car. We're snuggly machines! I mean, just look me right now all cozy in my winter jacket as I go for a hike. Don't you just want to hug me?!

Anyway, what I guess I'm saying is that I would love your help getting Team #awsdog to the top so we can keep our crown for two years in a row. I'll never hear the end of it if I let those pesky felines win! Donate right now and I promise to give you a big sloppy kiss if you come to visit. GO TEAM #AWSDOG!!!