Volunteer Opportunities
At Pets In Need, volunteers are essential to our mission of caring for animals, supporting families, and strengthening our community.
Volunteer Opportunities
Every day, volunteers make a meaningful impact in many ways, from introducing pets to their new families to caring for pets by cleaning and feeding, to supporting our veterinary team behind the scenes. Their time and compassion help animals feel safe, build trust, and prepare for their next chapter.
Whether you are offering hands-on care, helping with medical support, or creating positive experiences for animals in a shelter, your presence helps give every animal the best chance at a healthy, happy future. Ready to get involved? Learn more about our volunteer roles below
Available Weekly Volunteering Positions
Help our animals by exercising them, introducing them to families, cleaning their spaces, and assisting with medical care.
Next Recruitment:
September 2026
Commitment:
2 hours/week for 4 months
Age Requirement:
16+ years old
Experience:
None required
Cat Caregiver
Cat Matchmaker
Dog Caregiver
Dog Matchmaker & Walker
Rabbit Matchmaker
Surgery Assistant
Ringworm Treatment Team
Public Spay & Neuter Check-In
Public Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic
Cat Caregiver
Help keep our cats happy and comfortable! Cat Caregivers clean cat rooms, provide fresh food and water, and create cozy spaces for cats while they wait for their forever homes.
Cat Matchmaker
Spend time socializing and playing with cats while helping potential adopters meet their perfect match. Cat Matchmakers help showcase each cat’s personality to visiting
families.
Dog Caregiver
Support our dogs by providing meals, cleaning kennels, and helping keep their spaces comfortable while they wait for adoption.
Dog Matchmaker & Walker
Take dogs out for walks, give them exercise and enrichment, and introduce them to potential adopters. Volunteers walking dogs must work with large dogs and those who may be untrained, jumpy, rowdy, or mouthy.
Rabbit Matchmaker
Help rabbits stay active and engaged by providing exercise and enrichment, while introducing them to potential adopters.
Surgery Assistant
Support our medical team on surgery days! Surgery Assistants help keep the surgery suite clean and organized, prepare supplies, and assist with animal recovery—an
excellent role for anyone interested in veterinary care.
Ringworm Treatment Team
Help cats recover from ringworm so they can be adopted! Volunteers provide treatments and clean kennels to prevent reinfection while cats recover from ringworm, a
treatable fungal skin infection.
Public Spay & Neuter Check-In
Be the welcoming face of surgery day! Volunteers greet clients, check paperwork, label carriers, confirm patient IDs, and help keep the clinic organized and running
smoothly.
Public Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic
Help bring essential preventive care to pets in the community. Volunteers assist with tasks like drawing vaccines, managing parking, running the donation giveaway, or
checking in pets—while meeting lots of adorable animals.
Available Drop-in Volunteer Positions
Doggy Day Out
Minimum age: 5 years with an adult
Saturday - Sunday, 9:15 am - 12:30 pm
Make a shelter dog’s day with Doggy Day Out!
Take our active dogs on fun field trips outside the shelter. Enjoy a relaxing morning at home, visit a park for playtime, or explore the Bay’s dog-friendly trails together.
What to know: These high-energy dogs typically aren’t leash-trained and will pull. We’re prioritizing our stronger, rowdier dogs who need this most. If you’re comfortable handling these pups, we’d love to have you! Sign up to make a dog’s day!
Support and Welcome Volunteer
Minimum age: 12 years
Monday - Sunday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Help keep our shelter running smoothly. Greet guests, organize supplies and paperwork, and set up for events. Get involved today!
Animal Ambulance
Minimum age: 16 years old
Monday - Sunday, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Transport animals to life-saving care. Drive animals to vet appointments and take wildlife to the Burlingame rehabilitation center.
How it works: Receive texts when transport is needed. Accept if you’re available. No obligation if you’re not. You’ll only get messages on days you choose. Start saving animals today!
Clinic Flow Volunteer
Minimum age: 16 years old
Wednesdays, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Our weekly low-cost vaccine clinic brings accessible, essential preventive care to the community. A big team of volunteers make this very busy clinic possible! We’ll train you on-site. Please park in the gravel lot to the right of the main parking lot and check in with either RJ or Sophie.
What you’ll do: Use pagers to call visitors to check in and direct them to vaccine stations. Answer questions from visitors. And of course, meet adorable pets! Sign up to volunteer!
Did you know?
Many companies will match employees’ volunteer hours with a donation. Learn more about our volunteer grants.