Teen Volunteers
The Teen Volunteer Program is a great way for youth to gain volunteer experience and learn about animal sheltering. The program provides opportunities for youth, ages 15-17 to volunteer at the shelter without a parent or guardian but under the supervision of shelter staff and adult volunteers. Individuals under 15 may apply to the program if, and only if, they will be turning 15 by the beginning of the service term for which they have applied. Teen Volunteers assist with the basic, day-to-day socialization of animals at the shelter. Duties include exercising and socializing select dogs, cats and other small animals. Teen volunteers may also assist with shelter maintenance assignments and limited community events and education programs.
The Teen Volunteer Program is highly competitive and space in each term is limited to 30 participants. New Teen Volunteers are accepted in cohorts with a new group starting a 3-month, fixed term volunteer service in the Spring (service period is March through May), Summer (service period is June through August) and Fall (service period is September through November). At the end of each volunteer service period, teens currently in the program are welcome to apply for the following term but acceptance is not guaranteed.
The Teen Volunteer program is an excellent way for busy teens to fit volunteer service into their schedules and is a great way to complete Senior Project hours. However, the Teen Volunteer Program has limitations on volunteer shifts and total monthly service hours allowable. If you are interested in applying to the Teen Volunteer Program to fulfill Senior Project hours, please read through the program requirements carefully (below) to be sure that our program will work for your schedule and satisfy all your school requirements.
*Please note - Participation in the Teen Volunteer Program requires a $20 materials fee to help off-set the costs of volunteer uniforms and training materials. We value your service and appreciate help with these costs. However, if you are financially unable to cover the fees, please let us know and we can find a way to help.
Teen Volunteer Program Requirements
- The Teen Volunteer Program is open to youth ages 15-17.
- Applications are accepted January (Spring term), April (Summer term) and July (Fall term).
- Teens must commit to volunteer for at least 4 hours a month for a 3-month service term.
- Service terms are in the Spring (Mar-May), Summer (Jun-Aug) and Fall (Sep-Nov).
- Current volunteers must reapply to continue service beyond their 3-month term.
- Volunteer shifts are only offered on pre-designated days and times.
Before applying to the program, please be sure that you are able to volunteer for one or more of the following 2 hour shifts:
Tuesdays: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Wednesdays: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Fridays: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am - 12:00pm - 3:00pm and 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Sundays: 10:00am - 12:00pm and 3:00pm - 5:00pm
- Teen Volunteers must be able to sign up for shifts using an online, internet based system.
- Teen volunteers are limited to a maximum of 12 volunteer hours per month.
The Teen Volunteer Program is very popular and spaces are limited to 30 participants per session. If you are interested in applying to the program to fulfill Senior Project service hours, please plan accordingly. Special accommodations are not made for individuals working on school projects.
If you are ready to commit to a 3-month teen volunteer term, please CLICK HERE to fill out the electronic application. If the form is not available, please check back in the specified months (January, April, July).
The application window closes on April 30th. You will receive notification if you have been selected for an interview by May 7th. Interviews will take place on May 18th between the hours of 10:00am – 2:00pm (you will be notified of an exact time via email).
Please note that not all applicants will be selected for an interview, and not all those selected for an interview will be admitted to the program. To be accepted into the program, you must be available for both the interview, as well as the two training dates below. For those admitted to the program, the training dates are as follows:
- Friday, May 24, 2013 from 4:00pm – 7:00pm
- Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 10:00am – 1:00pm