Volunteer with Dogs

Volunteers are vital to the well-being and adoptability of the animals in our care. Follow the instructions below to sign up. As a volunteer, you will be expected to maintain a certain level of time commitment that will be explained to you in detail during the New Volunteer Interest Meeting. 

Court-ordered community service hours may not be completed through our dog volunteer program. There are no exceptions.

Volunteer hours from the dog program may not be used for scholastic purposes unless the student demonstrates a level of commitment to the center by performing a minimum of 16 hours each semester. WCAC staff will not sign documents for students who do not demonstrate commitment, however, you are welcome to self-report the hours for your résumé, college application, or other purposes.

Staff will confirm hours performed as part of the dog volunteer program for scholarships or National Honor Society if the student logs more than 24 hours of service at WCAC. To do so, you must formally request this PRIOR to performing the hours and submit valid documentation of your requirements to our Volunteer Coordinator.

If you are looking to fulfill required service hours, we encourage you to apply for our community service program.

Become a Dog Volunteer

To volunteer with dogs, you must be 16 years of age or older. Children from 14 or 15 years old may volunteer with an adult as a “junior volunteer.” If you wish to participate as a junior volunteer, you must attend the interest meeting and trainings with the adult who will be volunteering with you. It is important to note that the adult volunteer will be the primary dog handler, junior volunteers are not allowed to hold the leash and walk the dog. Duties include walking dogs, socializing dogs, helping adopters find their perfect pet, working adoption events and just providing lots of love to the dogs in our care. We walk dogs rain or shine, in hot or freezing temperatures, and 365 days a year.

Children from five to 12 years of age are invited to participate in our Book Buddies program.

Each dog volunteer shift is two hours long and you can sign up for more than one shift at a time. 

Volunteer shifts are available:

  • "Sunrise Shift", Monday through Sunday, 6:30 to 8:30 am
  • Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm

Dog volunteers must be willing to work a minimum of one shift per week.

Volunteer hours on holidays that the animal center is closed to the public are typically the same as weekend hours.

New Volunteer Interest Meeting Dates

Thank you so much for your willingness to support the animal center!  The January meeting is filled and the next interest meeting is on Tuesday, March 17 at 6 pm.  Space is limited so reserve your seat; please use "Interest Meeting" for the subject line. 

Feel free to contact our Volunteer Coordinator if you have questions that need to be answered prior to the next orientation.