Volunteer @ AWS

We have plenty of ways you can help out at AWS!

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Thank you for your time and talent

Love animals? Want to spend time with them while they are in our care? Enjoy the veterinary medical field? Want to make a difference in our operations? Or love to mow the lawn? If you answered yes to any of those questions, we could use you! Learn about the difference ways you can help at AWS and apply today.

Make a Difference!

Learn about the different ways you can help at AWS.

Each animal space is cleaned and sanitized daily, the most important way to keep our resident pets happy and healthy. Our volunteers play an integral role in our daily cleaning and laundry. We also offer opportunities to volunteer during animal transports, in the Adoption Center Lobby, or by taking dogs for walks, entertaining cats, visiting rabbits and birds. And that’s just the start. There are so many ways volunteers support our animal shelter operations!

Clinic volunteers play a vital role in AWS’ onsite, full-service Veterinary Clinic. Regular tasks include cleaning, doing laundry, sterilizing surgical equipment and comforting animals through recovery.

Helping out in the Clinic is a great opportunity for retired nurses, veterinary technicians or those who don’t get squeamish in medical situations. Those who are interested in animal care and veterinary sciences are also encouraged to get involved!

Be a second pair of hands for our trainers during classes and resident dog socialization. Our Training volunteers help direct students during class, move equipment around, answer clarification questions, as well as set up and clean up before and after all behavior training. Classes take place morning, afternoon and evening, most days a week.

Volunteers who love working with kids will have a great time in Youth Programs, supporting our humane education programming. Youth program volunteers are often retired teachers or day care providers, though anyone who enjoys education and/or working with children is encouraged to get involved!

So much of our daily work takes place outside of the animal spaces. We look for assistance in our Business Office, stuffing envelopes and helping with data entry. For those who enjoy the outdoors, our Facilities team appreciates help caring for our 40 acre property. Lawn mowing, weeding and planting, keeping our trails groomed are common and very helpful volunteer tasks.

Are you passionate about chatting with people? Do you enjoy taking pets out in the community? Then we’d love to have you as an events ambassador. We are always looking for new ambassador volunteers to represent AWS at community events, like festivals and parades.

Check Back Soon

*Due to the overwhelming support of our community, we are not currently accepting volunteer applications at this time. Please check back soon if you wish to apply. Thank you for your support!

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.

Youth volunteers 15 years old or younger are welcome to volunteer at AWS with a parent/guardian volunteering alongside them. Those aged 16-17 are welcome to volunteer individually with a parent/guardian’s consent. If under 18, please fill out the youth application.

Questions?

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

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Jackie the guinea pig and his friend Chelsea want you to know that they're Team #awsdog! Just like guinea pigs, dogs love to cuddle and therefore, they deserve the crown. However, those pesky cats remain ahead of the competition! Help Team #awsdog win by donating now! Follow our LinkTree right to the Giving Tuesday page. Woof!
Giving Tuesday is just getting started and Team #awscat is already ahead! If you're a feline fan like our teammate Jesse here, donate to Team #awscat to help them keep the lead!
Team #awsdog is kicking off Giving Tuesday with a little love from Tahoe and his human friend, Sam. When it comes to the question 'which pet is the Coziest Companion: Cats or Canines?', Tahoe and Sam are here to say Team #awsdog all the way!!

If you feel the same, donate to the cause and help canines everywhere win the day!
The cats and dogs at AWS are ready for another friendly competition this Giving Tuesday on November, 28! Who will win?This year's competition centers around which species is the Coziest Companion: Cats or Canines? Throughout the day on Giving Tuesday, follow along on our social media pages as the pets and people of AWS try to convince you which of their favorite species deserves your support as the coziest, cuddliest animal. 

Remember, the team who raises the most funds on Tuesday will be crowned this year’s Giving Tuesday winner. Most importantly, all funds raised in this friendly competition support pet care here at AWS. We look forward to seeing which pet comes out on top as the coziest companion! 

(psst! You can help your favorite team get ahead by donating early on our website. Just follow the link tree in our profile to the Giving Tuesday page!)