The People Who Show Up: How PIN Volunteers help animals feel safe, seen, and ready for what comes next
Every animal who comes through our doors arrives with a different story. Some need medical care. Others need patience. Many just need someone willing to sit quietly nearby until they feel safe again.
At Pets In Need, volunteers are the ones who show up day after day in dozens of different ways, meeting animals exactly where they are.
From hands-on care to behind-the-scenes support, volunteers make it possible for our team to focus on what matters most: giving every animal the time, compassion, and care they need for a second chance.
Building Confidence, one Moment at a Time
Many volunteers work directly with animals at the shelter, providing daily attention that helps them feel safe and ready for adoption.
Dog walkers don’t just provide exercise. They build confidence.
For many dogs, a walk is the moment when a shy dog finds their stride, a nervous dog learns to trust, and a playful personality finally has room to shine for potential adopters.
Nicole moved to the Bay Area from the Midwest looking to build roots in her community while spending time with animals. After volunteering for about a year and a half as a Dog Caregiver, she’s found much more than she expected.
“The staff at Pets In Need are so welcoming and truly have become a key part of my life here,” Nicole shared. “Each shift is a bit different, which I love. I help clean dog spaces, make sure they’re fed, trained, walked, and most importantly, loved.”
Dan, another dedicated volunteer, sees the impact this consistency makes. “Volunteers provide time, attention, and love,” he shared. “That makes a huge difference when potential adopters come to meet the dogs. The dogs are calmer, more confident, and their personalities shine through.”
For both Nicole and Dan, one of the most rewarding moments is watching relationships form over time.
“There’s no better feeling than when you get to know a dog and they get excited when they see you come back.” Nicole shared.
Cat caregivers help feline friends burn energy, reduce stress, and build positive associations with people. A gentle scratch. A feather wand session. A patient presence.
These small moments can be the difference between a cat staying hidden or stepping forward to meet their future family.
For Sophie, who has been volunteering for more than four years, cat caregiving and socializing has become a cherished way to start her day.
“These kitties are full of energy and just need an outlet to feel comfortable,” Sophie shared. “Being able to help them burn off that energy while giving back to the community has been incredibly rewarding.”
Through patient play sessions and gentle encouragement, Sophie has helped countless shy cats find confidence. The ones who once hid in the corners of their kennels now greet her with soft chirps and headbutts. By the time adopters arrive, these cats are ready to show off their playful side, revealing the loving companions they’ve been all along.
Extending Care Beyond Our Walls
Some of the most transformative volunteer work happens outside the shelter.
Doggy Day Out volunteers give dogs a few precious hours to experience life beyond the kennel. Whether it’s a hike, a park visit, or a quiet afternoon in the sun, these outings reduce stress, bring out their true selves, and help our team better understand what each dog needs in a home.
Wey-Jiun, a longtime volunteer, has completed 138 Doggy Day Outs with 69 different dogs, and counting.
“You make the biggest impact by simply being present and willing to help,” she shared.
Each outing gives dogs the chance to just be dogs. To feel grass under their paws, explore new scents, watch squirrels dart up trees, hear birds chirping overhead. Simple joys that remind them what life will look like beyond the shelter. For many, these few hours help them show their true personalities and move one step closer to a loving home.
Foster volunteers open their homes to animals who need extra time, stability, or specialized care. That one-on-one attention helps animals decompress and often leads to meaningful breakthroughs in behavior and trust.
Trulee has been fostering with Pets In Need for more than three years.
“When you foster, you’re giving them a space to breathe,” she shared. “That time can completely change how an animal feels.”
For animals recovering from medical procedures, adjusting to home life, or working through fear and anxiety, foster care is often the bridge between rescue and adoption.
The Quiet Work That Makes Everything Possible
Not every volunteer role involves leashes or toys, and each one is essential.
Surgery assistant volunteers support our medical team by prepping supplies, maintaining clean surgical spaces, and assisting during recovery. Their help allows veterinary staff to work efficiently and focus fully on patient care.
“Our work helps the medical team spend more time caring for the animals,” shared Angela, a Surgery Assistant volunteer. “Even one to two hours can make a meaningful difference.”
A Community Built on Compassion
What sets Pets In Need apart isn’t just the variety of volunteer roles. It’s the community volunteers become part of.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our mission,” shared Sophie, Volunteer Coordinator at Pets In Need. “They show up with open hearts, and that compassion is felt in every part of our work.”
Last year, that compassion made a real impact:
300+ active volunteers
31,914 volunteer hours contributed
But the impact goes both ways.
“Volunteering gives people a sense of purpose, connection, and routine,” Sophie added. “You’re part of something bigger, and that matters.”
Volunteers are trained, supported, and welcomed from day one. Many come to help animals and stay because of the people they meet along the way.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Whether you have a few hours a month or can commit weekly, whether you love dogs, cats, medical work, or behind-the-scenes support, there’s a place for you at Pets In Need.