Volunteer Opportunities

If you love animals, we have a rewarding volunteer opportunity for you. You can gain valuable animal experience by volunteering, and you'll have the satisfaction of helping homeless animals.

You must be 18 years or older to volunteer for AFRP. The first step is to fill out our online volunteer application or fill out a paper volunteer application at our AFRP Adoption Center in Pacific Grove. You can also pick up a volunteer application at any of our offsite adoption events. Our Volunteer Coordinator will then review your application and contact you to schedule an orientation and training session.

If you have not received a response to your application within 7 days, please email us at volunteer@animalfriendsrescue.org. Thank you

Standard volunteer programs:

Our volunteers are the heart of our organization, and we hope you will consider becoming part of the AFRP volunteer team. 

  • Foster Care

    Provide temporary shelter, care and love for adoption animals.  Some need a few nights' stay until they get adopted, others need a home until they reach an adoptable age or recover from trauma. For more details on what fostering is all about, click here.

  • Animal Transportation

    Transport animals to veterinarian, adoption sites, grooming facilities or wherever necessary. Must be available some weekdays during business hours.

  • Donation Box Helper

    Help AFRP raise funds by collecting the donations from AFRP donation boxes located in businesses and dropping money off at the AFRP office.

  • Veterinary Clinic

    Assist the AFRP vet clinic staff with animal care, feeding, cleaning cages, walking dogs, doing laundry and administrative tasks. Help prep surgical packs, learn vet tech skills and assist with patient care. One shift per week. 

  • Treasure Shop

    Help with sales, pricing, sorting and pick-up of donated merchandise at our benefit shop in Pacific Grove. One 3 hour shift per week suggested. 

  • Special Events

    Volunteers are needed to help with fundraisers throughout the year. Help plan events, solicit donations, check-in guests, assist with set-up/tear down, answer questions, promote public awareness. 

  • Feral/Community Cat Advocate

    Be a part of our trap-neuter-release (TNR) team. Help educate the public about the benefits of TNR and assist with TNR projects in our community. 

  • Certified Trainer and/or Certified Behaviorist

    Assist program dogs with specialized training and/or behavior modification as needed. Must show credentials & be positive reinforcement based.

  • Videography/Photography

    Assist to elevate our current program animals through short videos, and photos from the comfort of their foster homes to help promote them across our social media platforms. Knowledge of social media platforms required.

  • Community Tabling Events

    Spread awareness of AFRP and our mission, recruit volunteers & donors through local community events such as Farmers Markets

  • Office Assistance

    Assist staff at the AFRP office with various roles, such as supply organization, cleaning, public assistance, phones, data entry...

Don't hesitate to contact us at info@animalfriendsrescue.org if you would like to direct your talent and enthusiasm for animals in areas such as fundraising, photography, education, public relations, special events, leadership, animal socializing, dog handling, etc.