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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.