Make a difference in the life of an animal.
Become a shelter volunteer.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering. Volunteers are valued members of the Clatsop County Animal Shelter. By choosing to volunteer with us, you are helping to create an environment of respect, responsibility and compassion toward animals. Volunteers are instrumental in supporting staff and assisting in the care and adoption of shelter animals.
Volunteer opportunities:
- In-shelter care of animals
- Cat socializing
- Dog walking/exercising
- Matchmaker
- Transportation
- Foster care
- Bathing/grooming
- Administrative
- Special events/projects
- Maintenance/grounds
Volunteers must be:
- 14 years of age or older (ages 14-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times).
- Able to volunteer regularly, preferably once a week for at least three months.
- Able to commit to scheduled volunteer times.
- Able to work well with people: All volunteers work directly with the public under the direction of staff and assigned volunteers.
- Able to comply with Clatsop County Animal Shelter policies and procedures.
To apply, please complete our online volunteer application and, if applicable, follow the instructions to have a parent/guardian complete the parental volunteer application for all volunteers under the age of 18.
All volunteers must attend orientation and training before beginning volunteer service at the shelter. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent during orientation and training and at all times while working in the shelter.
Should you have difficulty scheduling your orientation or need assistance with your application, please call the shelter during regular business hours at (503) 861-0737 or the county’s volunteer coordinator at (503)-338-3620 (M-F, 8:00-5:00).
More details:
Animal Care: This is a little bit of everything. Your assistance helps make the animals stay here more comfortable. Volunteers help to clean kennels, exercise dogs, cuddle cats, and encourage adoptions by showing animals to prospective adopters.
Cat Socializing: Volunteers take cats and kittens out of their adoption cages and into a separate room so they can interact with people (be held, petted and played with).
Dog Walking/Exercising: At the Clatsop County Animal Shelter we have a fenced area where volunteers supervise and let the dogs run loose. Volunteers can throw balls and play with the dogs or just take them for a leashed walk.
Transport: The animal shelter needs volunteers who can be on call to transport animals to the vet in the mornings.
Matchmaker: Help promote our wonderful cats and dogs to the public. You will greet incoming customers and help “matchmaker” our dogs and cats to potential adopters.
Foster Care: Volunteers take care of pets on a temporary basis in their home. Pets in this program are may too sick or too young to be adopted. Occasionally, fostering may also occur when the shelter is over capacity. Fostering can last for several weeks.
Bathing/Grooming: Volunteers groom animals so they can be their best for potential adopters.
Administrative: Volunteers are needed to support staff with administrative assistance including clerical duties, telephone assistance, and organizational projects.
Special Events/Projects: Volunteers assist in a variety of special projects at the shelter including photographing animals, adoption flyers, fundraising and website maintenance.
Grounds/Maintenance: Volunteers help keep the shelter looking spiffy. Help is always needed in the area of landscaping, maintenance and clean up.