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GIVE YOUR TIME

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Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Richmond SPCA! 

Our volunteers go above and beyond to ensure the health and happiness of animals in our care and contribute to the success of the lifesaving programs we deliver to the community. Through cleaning, clerical work, enrichment, reward-based training and community outreach, the support volunteers give helps us to save thousands of lives each year.  

Want to volunteer as a group with your company, club or organization? Submit a group opportunity request.

The Richmond SPCA does not accept court-mandated volunteers. 

Application, Onboarding and Training

Our volunteer management team onboards new volunteers periodically throughout the year based on our needs for volunteer support.

Here are the steps to join our amazing team of volunteers:

  1. Submit a volunteer interest form.
  2. When a need for support arises that matches your interest(s), we will contact you to complete our online application.
  3. Qualified applicants will receive an invitation for a virtual meet and greet.
  4. If our needs and your availability match up, following your meet and greet, you’ll be invited to complete an online orientation.
  5. After completing the online orientation, you’ll get access to sign up for volunteer shifts and training opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities

Work with cats

Volunteers must be 14 or older to work independently with cats, unless otherwise specified. Volunteers between the ages of 7 and 14 may help if they volunteer with a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Cat-related shifts are offered daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

  • Cat Care: Offered daily from 9 to 11 a.m. 

  • Lobby Habitat Assistant: Offered Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

  • Cat Kennel Assistant: Offered daily from 9 to 11 a.m.

  • Cat Enrichment: Offered daily from noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. 
  • Blue Team
    Blue Team volunteers provide essential physical and mental exercise to the cats in our care, and help cats learn behaviors that will prepare them for adoption. Volunteers interested in joining the Blue Team must be 18 or older, have completed 12 hours of cat-related volunteer shifts, and undergo additional training. Members of the Blue Team are asked to volunteer at least one hour each week dedicated to Blue Team-specific volunteer tasks.
  • Kitten Krew
    Our Kitten Krew volunteers care for kittens awaiting adoption, including cleaning their spaces and enriching their time with us. This is a seasonal shift that is only hosted during kitten season (May – August). Volunteers interested in joining the Kitten Krew must be 18 or older, have completed 12 hours of cat kennel assistant shifts, and undergo additional training.
Work with dogs

Volunteers must be 16 or older to work independently with dogs, unless otherwise specified. Volunteers between the ages of 7 and 15 may help if they volunteer with a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Dog-related shifts are offered daily between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 4 p.m.

  • Dog Walking: Offered weekly from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. and daily from 3 to 4 p.m. 

  • Dog Enrichment: Offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and noon to 2 p.m. 
  • Green Team
    Green Team volunteers are trained in positive reinforcement to help the dogs in our care gain skills that prepare them for adoption, while providing them both physical exercise and mental stimulation. Volunteers interested in joining the Green Team must be 18 or older, have completed 12 hours of dog-related volunteer shifts, and undergo additional training. Members of the Green Team are asked to volunteer at least one hour each week dedicated to Green Team-specific volunteer tasks. 
  • Running Buddies™
    Our Running Buddies volunteers provide our homeless dogs with much-needed exercise, which enhances our dogs’ health and happiness while they await adoption. Volunteers interested in joining the Green Team must be 18 or older, and complete additional training. Runs are scheduled on Wednesday evenings and on Saturday and Sunday mornings. 
Help behind the scenes

Volunteers must be 14 or older to work independently. Volunteers between the ages of 7 and 14 may help if they volunteer with a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Behind-the-scenes volunteer opportunities are offered daily between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  • Dog Enrichment Prep: Offered Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. 

  • Dishes: Offered daily from 11 a.m. to noon, noon to 1 p.m., and 4 to 5 p.m. 

  • Laundry: Offered daily from 8 a.m. to noon and noon to 2 p.m., Sundays and Mondays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 4 to 6 p.m. 
  • Photography
    Skilled photographers are needed to help take photos of our pets and our people for our website and for marketing materials.
Volunteer at Richmond SPCA events

Throughout the year, we host and benefit from events both at our facilities and in the community.

  • Host an info table
    Represent the Richmond SPCA at an event in our community! Events could be hosted at restaurants, businesses, community organizations and more. Info table volunteers must be 18 or older to work independently. Volunteers between the ages of 7 and 14 may help if they volunteer with a parent or guardian over the age of 18.
  • Assist at a benefit event
    Volunteer to help with event-related tasks at an event that supports the Richmond SPCA. Volunteer age requirements depend upon the tasks assigned.
  • Support our signature fundraising events
    Help raise lifesaving funds to help animals in need and the people who love them! Volunteers are needed at our annual signature fundraising events throughout the year.
    • Dog Jog, 5K and Block Party
      Hosted at the Richmond SPCA each March
      Volunteer roles include setup, breakdown, assisting with event preparations, helping at packet pickup, parking, vendor support, event photography and more.
    • Fur Ball
      Pet-friendly black-tie gala, hosted at The Jefferson Hotel each November
      Volunteer roles include pet-sitting for our four-legged guests, assisting with event preparations, setup, soliciting donations for our live and silent auctions, event photography and more.
Become a foster care provider

Foster care volunteers save lives by expanding our capacity to shelter and care for homeless animals beyond the walls of our Robins-Starr Humane Center by taking care of our pets in their own homes. To become a foster care provider, please do not complete a volunteer interest form – instead, visit our foster care page to learn more.

Join our Animal Brigade Service Club

Middle school students (grades 6 through 8) learn more about their four-legged friends and how to help them through volunteer projects and humane education. To join the Animal Brigade Service Club, please do not complete a volunteer interest form – instead, visit our Animal Brigade Service Club page to learn more.

Volunteer Commitment

Richmond SPCA volunteers must commit to giving four hours of service each month for a period of four months. To remain active after the four-month period, you must perform at least one shift every three months. Failure to meet these requirements will result in account deactivation, and to resume volunteering you would need to restart the application process. 

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