We offer 3 different Cat Care positions:

Cats in the shelter, Working cats (located in our barn), and cats housed off-site when available.

Essential functions

• Fold packs
• Cut and fold surgical drapes
• Monitor recovering animals
• Laundry
• Clean cages
• Stock rooms
• Clean ears / trim nails
• Assist with vaccine administration
• Assist with animal drop off and/or discharge

• Take photos
• Administer medications/dewormer
• Give medicated baths/clean ears, brush and shave matts

Requirements

• Minimum age of 18 years
• Must be available for a regular weekly shift and/or event clinics
• Possess good internal and external customer relation skills
• Good clerical skills, which includes computer literacy
• Comfortable working with animals of various sizes

• Serve as an ambassador for the ARL in our community

Training & Support

• Complete Volunteer Orientation
• Mandatory canine and feline training classes
• Dog Behavior, Body Language & Handling
• Feline Body Language and Behavior
• In Shelter Training
• Shadow with ARL staff member and/or qualified volunteer

Dress Code

• ID tag and Volunteer t-shirt
• Closed Toe Shoes

• Long Pants

Environment

• Possible exposure to loud noise, odors, fumes, chemicals, and animal waste.
• Exposure to controlled substances, needles, syringes, and other supplies used in the pre- and post-operative treatment and the vaccination of animals.
• Exposure to animals that may be agitated that may attempt to bite or scratch.

Community Outreach Events give volunteers the opportunity to make a direct impact both inside and outside the shelter by helping the ARL build meaningful connections within the community. These events support fundraising initiatives, promote ARL programs and services, and sometimes help showcase adoptable animals to the public. Volunteers assist staff with a variety of event tasks while creating a positive and welcoming experience for attendees. Through their enthusiasm, professionalism, and support, Community Outreach volunteers help make each event successful while advancing the ARL’s mission to help animals and people in need.

Essential Functions

• Assist staff with the coordination of events
• Escort any adoptable animals that may be attending the event
  • ***Not all Outreach Events will include Animals***
• Talk to the public about ARL services and programs
• Interact with the public in a helpful and courteous manner
• Help with the promotion of special events
• Assist with table/tent set up or breakdown
• Assist with any preparations leading up to the event
• Assist with merchandise transactions during events
• Other duties as assigned

*** Bilingual volunteers encouraged to apply ***

Requirements

• Extroverted personality
• Possess good customer relations skills
• Minimum age of 18 years (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)
• Ability to follow instructions from staff and work with minimum supervision
• Self-motivated, mature, and dependable 
• Good organizational skills; excellent at attention to detail
• Enjoy working with all types of people
• Ability to read, write and speak English
• Concern for the welfare of animals and supports ARL policies and mission
• Serve as an ambassador for the ARL in our community

Time Commitment

• Depends on Special Event schedule; larger mostly takes place offsite on weekends but there are occasional pop-up events that take place offsite during weekdays

Training & Support

• Complete Volunteer Orientation
• Shadow with ARL staff member and/or qualified volunteer

Dress Code

• Volunteer T-shirt, ARL apparel, or business casual
• Volunteer Nametag (not optional)
• Long Pants
• Closed Toe Shoes

Here at the ARL, we rely heavily on donations from our surrounding communities given to help support the animals we care for. From food to linens to laundry detergent, many different items can end up in our donation shed and we can always use the extra help sorting through and disturbing all the items that wind up in our donation shed. While this volunteer opportunity may not interact as much with our animals, helping maintain the donation shed plays a key part in how the shelter operates and directly benefits the animals in our care. 

Adoption Counselors play a key role in helping animals find loving homes by welcoming potential adopters, guiding them through our sign-in and waitlist process, and providing accurate, thoughtful information about each animal’s personality, behavior, and needs. These volunteers also support guests by answering questions about our adoption procedures and other services we provide, all while fostering positive relationships with visitors, staff, and fellow volunteers. While most adoption processes happen here at the shelter, the ARL does partake in offsite mobile adoption events and are always looking for more volunteers to help support these outreach events. So if you’re a compassionate, people-focused individual who is comfortable working with animals and want to make a meaningful impact in your community, consider volunteering to be an ARL adoption counselor!

Essential Functions:

• Assist with potential adopted signing in and joining our waitlist
• Providing potential adopters with accurate information regarding an animal’s temperament, behavior, age, breed, and sex
• Answer questions about ARL processes including adoption, relinquishment, medical/behavioral examinations, and end of life services
• Promote positive relationships with the general public, volunteers, and staff while promoting the ARL’s programs, policies, and philosophies

Requirements:

• Minimum age of 18 years
• Possess good customer relation skills
• Good clerical skills, which may include computer literacy
• Comfortable working with animals of various sizes
• Sign ARL privacy contract for computer and password access

Training & Support:

• Complete Volunteer Orientation
• Shadow with an ARL Staff member and/or qualified volunteer
• Adoption counseling training will first focus on cats and smallies before moving on to dogs
  • Those who are interested in dog counseling will complete a mandatory dog walking training provided by an ARL Staff member and/or qualified volunteer 

Essential Functions:

• General office duties: data entry; filing, organizing
• Assist with additional projects, including project development, as needed

Essential functions

• Both parent and child must watch the Book Buddies orientation video, and have a general understanding about proper behavior at the shelter as well as tips on “reading” a cat’s mood.
• One adult volunteer per family must be registered in Better Impact. 
• One adult must be present for every two readers at all times.
• Readers will range from 1st to 8th graders.

Our foster care givers provide much-needed temporary homes for animals who require extra love and support before becoming available for adoption.

This can include animals such as orphaned kittens, nursing mothers, recovering surgery patients, and pets who need help correcting their behavior.

Check out the Foster web page for the most up to date information about fostering.

Foster - Animal Rescue League of Berks County (berksarl.org)

Volunteering as a Transport Driver is a meaningful way to support animals in our care by helping them safely get where they need to go. Whether it’s to the shelter, a veterinary appointment, or another partner location. Transport Drivers play a vital role in ensuring each animal’s journey is calm, secure, and stress-free, all while maintaining reliable communication and flexible availability. If you’re passionate about animal welfare, comfortable on the road, and ready to make a direct impact, this opportunity might be the perfect fit. 

Essential Functions:

• Using our vehicle or your own, providing safe transport to or from the shelter as needed
• Securing all animal(s) being transported, whether through transport boxes, crates, or proper leashing
• Driving with caution, ensuring a safe trip for yourself, ARL animal(s), and others on the road

Requirements:

• Minimum age of 18 years
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and provide a Driver Questionnaire to our insurance company for verification of driving record.
• Ability to receive and reply to transport requests via email and/or telephone within 24 hours
• Ability to do early mornings or later evenings – can include weekends and weekdays
• Available for pickups, drop offs, and waiting at shelter locations while animals are being examined, treated, or prepared for transport

Guest Services Greeters are often the first friendly face visitors meet when they walk through our doors, helping create a warm and inviting experience for potential adopters and community members. In this role, volunteers assist guests with questions, guide them to the right staff or areas of the shelter, share information about our programs, and help process donations and basic paperwork. If you enjoy connecting with people and want to support our mission in a hands-on, customer-focused way, this opportunity offers a meaningful way to make a difference.

Essential Functions:

• Greeting ARL guests as they enter the shelter in a courteous manner
• Help answer customer questions and direct them to the appropriate ARL locations/personnel
• Inform customers about available ARL programs
• Accept donations and process paperwork

Requirements:

• Minimum age of 18 years
• Possess good customer relation skills
• Good clerical skills, which may include computer literacy
• Available during hours of operation
  • 10am-6pm Mon, Wed-Fri
  • 9am-5pm Sat/Sun

Training & Support:

• Complete Volunteer Orientation
• Shadow with an ARL Staff member and/or qualified volunteer

Dress Code:

• Volunteer T-shirt (optional)
• Volunteer Nametag (not optional)
• Long Pants
• Closed Toe Shoes

Essential Functions:

• Have visitors sign into the tablet (one person per party)
• Reminder that those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Thank the guests for visiting during browsing hours!
• Inform guests the kennels are LOUD, offer ear plugs, located in the main animal care hallway.
• Inform guests: NO FINGERS IN CAGES! Kibble treats are available, we ask that treats are tossed under the gate. This keeps everyone safe and healthy.
• Want to meet someone? See an adoption counselor for more details and to meet the pup!
• Help at the front desk in between visitors; should have tasks for you to work on during down time, glass cleaning is always needed/appreciated.

Environment:

• Exposure to loud noises, odors, animal waste, and cleaning chemicals
• Possible exposure to peanut butter in some of our enrichment items
• Possible exposure to dogs being walked through the shelter

Requirements:

• Minimum age of 16 years
• Ability to follow instructions given by a staff member and with minimum supervision
• Ability to be on your feet for long periods of time without sitting down
• Concern for the welfare of dogs and support of ARL’s policies and mission

Training & Support:

• Complete Volunteer Orientation

Dress Code:

• Volunteer T-shirt (optional)
• Volunteer Nametag (not optional)
• Long Pants
• Closed Toe Shoes (preferably non-slip)

Please click the link to complete an application to volunteer for The Animal Rescue League of Berks County!  VOLUNTEER

Helping our pets, our staff and our community, volunteers are an essential part of the caregiving work that we do at the ARL. Through generous contributions of their time and talent, our volunteers allow our pets to receive daily exercise and enrichment, assist our staff with their daily duties, and act as ambassadors for the organization throughout our community at events and fundraisers. Whether you have an hour or two on a weekend to give, or a few hours each day, we welcome you!

Please click the link to complete an application to foster animals for The Animal Rescue League of Berks County!  FOSTER

Our fosters provide much-needed temporary homes for animals who require extra love and support. That can include animals such as orphaned kittens, nursing mothers, recovering surgery patients, or animals that are not doing well in the shelter environment. This is a very rewarding and lifesaving experience.