Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with AWLA. Our shelter depends on dedicated volunteers to be able to complete our mission: improve the lives of animals and people by providing resources, care, and protection.
Please click the green "fill in an application" button to the right to get started.
Please note:
Once you submit your application you should receive an auto-generated email confirming your application submission. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder.
Please be aware that submission does not guarantee acceptance into the Volunteer Program. We will be considering volunteers as space becomes available, based on both opportunity shift availability and the alignment of your schedule and interests with the openings we have. If we are unable to onboard you at this time, your application will be placed on our waitlist, and we will email you once space becomes available.
- If you are a past volunteer interested in returning please email volunteer@awla.org
- If you are interested in becoming a foster please click here.
- If you are interested in group volunteer opportunities please email volunteer@awla.org
- If you are interested in Senior Experience please email youthprograms@awla.org. The 2026 Senior Experience program is now full.
- If you need court ordered community service hours please email mail@awla.org
I would like to volunteer
Get Social
Ways to Volunteer
Animal Placement
Matchmaking (Cat, Dog, and SCA)
Volunteers in this assignment help place animals in loving homes by showing available animals to the public, explaining the AWLA adoption process, and performing a variety of day-to-day kennel tasks. Tasks include: greeting visitors and answering basic questions about the adoption process, ensuring animal and public safety by practicing and enforcing appropriate interaction between the potential adopter and animals, spot cleaning kennels and refreshing water bowls, providing enrichment to the animals during downtime
Adoption Application Volunteer
Volunteers work closely with the Adoptions Team to welcome members of the public to the shelter, explain the adoptions process to prospective adopters, perform application and medical reviews, and prepare adopted animals to go home with their new families.
Placement Event Volunteer (Cat and Dog)
Volunteers will assist our Adoptions and Foster Teams with Adoption and Foster events by showing cats or dogs to potential adopters or fosters. These events may be in shelter or off-site in the community.
Foster and Adoptions Admin Assistant
Volunteers in this role will help our Adoptions and Foster Teams with all the paperwork that comes with placing animals in their forever home. This may include onboarding new fosters, preparing bags to go home with the animals, and keeping our database up to date.
Animal Care
Animal Control
Volunteer Opportunities with Animal Control include:
- Wildlife Transport
- Community Animal Response Team (CART) Volunteer
- Community Cat Volunteer
Community Resources
Volunteer Opportunities with the Community Resources Team Include:
- Community Resources Desk Assistant
- Low Cost Vaccine & Microchip Clinics
- Community Care Clinics
- Mobile Pet Resources
- Pet Pantry
- Pet Pantry Delivery
Events
Volunteer Opportunities in Events include:
- Tabling at public events
- Assisting at AWLA Fundraisers
General Shelter Support
Volunteer Opportunities for General Shelter Support Include:
- Administrative Assistant
- Shelter Animal Transport
- Photography Volunteer
Youth Programs
Volunteer Opportunities with Youth Programs Include:
- Youth Programs Assistant
- Teen Photography
- Adoption Art Ambassador
Mission Statement
Our Mission
Improve the lives of animals and people by providing resources, care, and protection.
Our Vision
A humane community in which animals and people live together harmoniously.
Our Values
Lead Courageously
We strive to be leaders in our field and community knowing that a leader pursues excellence, fosters innovation, and rises to the hardest challenges.
Do Good
Encourage an environment of compassion, respect, kindness, and inclusivity among staff, volunteers, clients, and the community that we serve. Suspend judgment while acknowledging and appreciating the individuality of each person and animal.
Be Honest
Recognize the critical role we serve in the community and maintain the public’s trust through open accessibility and transparency.
Embrace Change
Remain open-minded and adaptable to the changing landscape. We learn from our failures and work every day to improve ourselves and the organization.
Work Together
Support each other by creating a positive, mission-driven, and team-centered culture. Above all, have fun and laugh.
