Lakeland Animal Welfare Society

Volunteer Opportunities

updated 11/20/02

About Us

The Lakeland Animal Welfare Society houses approximately 2,000 homeless, unwanted, neglected and abused animals every year. Not only do we take in cats and dogs, we also receive rabbits, snakes, ferrets, iguanas, chinchillas, other various small animals and even farm animals!

We are committed to educating the community about issues that will promote an informative approach to pet ownership. We rely heavily on the support of volunteers to carry out our mission and to help the animals in our care.

Volunteer Positions

Below you will find the many opportunities available to help the animals. Volunteers are required to attend an orientation first and must be at least 13 years old to work with the animals. Please call the shelter today to schedule your orientation!

Animal Assisted Therapy

This position encourages the human/animal bond by participating in therapeutic programs at residential communities and nursing homes. This is a great parent-child activity and requires maturity in dealing with the elderly and sick.

Cat Adoption Room Monitor

Volunteers provide supervision and assistance to potential adopters while spending time with the adoptable cats and maintaining the cleanliness of the cat room.

Cat Socialization Therapy

Cat socialization volunteers rehabilitate shy or frightened cats to increase their chances of a faster adoption. Cat socialization volunteers are required to have knowledge of feline behavior and body language.

Clerical Assistant

Maintaining accurate, organized and current information as well as filing, data entry and other office work are the main duties of clerical assistants.

Community Outreach

Volunteers attend community events spreading awareness about the shelter and of various animal issues. Many times, volunteers take the shelter animals to these events, promoting adoptions and responsible pet ownership.

Dog Socialization/Obedience Training

Volunteers work with dogs in the shelter to correct behavioral or social issues they might have as well as working on basic obedience commands. This position requires an understanding of canine behavior and confidence in working with shy, scared or abused dogs.

Dog Walker

Dog walkers provide exercise and mental stimulation to the dogs in the shelter. Getting fresh air and exercise can really make a difference in a shelter dog’s life!

Fostering

Opening your home to an animal in need can make a world of difference to a special animal. Foster homes are needed for everything from small and furry animals to farm animals! For more information on fostering, visit our foster animals page or our animals needing foster page, or email fosters@lakelandanimalshelter.org .

Fundraising

The shelter relies on fundraisers to meet its annual budget. Volunteers are needed to assist with fundraising activities as well as organize and plan new fundraisers.

Infirmary Assistant

Volunteers assist in improving the health while offering mental stimulation to the animals in the infirmary while they are recuperating.

Kennel Assistant

This position involves maintaining a healthy and clean environment for the animals as well as performing various duties to assist the kennel staff.