Job Description

Thank you for your interest in the Houston SPCA Volunteer Program. The Houston SPCA has hundreds of volunteers who dedicate their time to make a difference in the lives of our shelter animals and our community. Without these caring individuals we could not continue our mission to promote the commitment to and respect for all animals and free them from suffering, abuse and exploitation.

Requirements to become a volunteer:

• All potential volunteers must be at least 16 years old at time of application
• Must be able to commit to 8 hours per month for at least 6 months
• Pay a non-refundable application fee of $40 for adults or $25 for youth (16-17 years old)
• All applicants 18 and up must complete a background screening
• Must have consistent access to internet and email
• Must have the willingness to complete all necessary tasks within a specified volunteer area
• Must be able to work well with others as all volunteer positions work directly with staff, volunteers and the public

Volunteer Opportunities:

All new volunteers will be considered a trainee and complete their first 20 hours in one of our six direct animal care areas:

• Large dogs
• Small dogs
• Cattery
• Small mammals
• Wildlife Center of Texas
• Foster Care

After 20 hours are accrued, volunteers will be eligible to apply for additional volunteer opportunities.

Further details outlining these opportunities will be provided at orientation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is there an opportunity for one-time volunteering? Unfortunately, because of the amount of training required to work with our animals, we do not offer one-time opportunities for individuals. We do however offer corporate group opportunities twice per month on Fridays. If you are interested in having your corporate group volunteer at the Houston SPCA in 2018, please contact us at volunteer@houstonspca.org for more details and pricing.

Is it possible to volunteer for only a couple of months/just during the summer? We require a volunteer commitment of at least six months. It takes a lot of time and energy to properly orient and train our volunteers. Since our volunteers play such an important role in our shelter, we will only accept applicants who are willing to make a long-term commitment.

Do you offer court-appointed community service opportunities? At this time, the Houston SPCA does not fulfill court-appointed community service hours.

If my child is under 16, can they volunteer at the Houston SPCA if I accompany him/her? Because of the type of work our volunteers do for us, we do require each volunteer to be at least 16 years of age at the time of application. We do however offer a spring, winter and summer camp for young people ages 8-14 years old, and a Critter Camp Crew counselor program for kids age 15 and older. We also have service projects available for individuals or scout groups.

Can I be a volunteer if I have a criminal record? Everyone is encouraged to apply. Your candidacy may be declined depending on the offense. These are discussed on a case by case basis once the results of your application and background screening have been received.

I prefer to fill out a paper application. Can I come down to the shelter to do so? No, we do not offer paper applications. All of our applications are to be completed online.

If I do not currently have a credit/debit card, can I pay the application fee in person with another payment method? All application fees must be completed online using a credit/debit card.

How to get started volunteering at the Houston SPCA: Apply HERE ---> and Submit Payment: $40 for ages 18 and up; $25 for ages 16-17

Complete Application: Once you’ve paid, you’ll receive an automated email containing a link where you can complete the application. Be sure to check your junk/spam folder!

Complete the Background Screening (18+ only): Once your application is received, you’ll receive instructions to initiate a background screening. Please follow all prompts to complete and submit this screening.

Attend Orientation: After your application and background screening (if applicable) have been reviewed, you’ll be contacted via email to register for our new volunteer orientation. Orientation is generally held twice a month on specific Saturdays. You’ll learn about the shelter and what you can expect as a volunteer.

Attend Training: Once you’ve completed orientation, you’ll be given instructions on how to register for training in one of the animal areas in which you want to volunteer.

Start Volunteering: After training in your area of choice, you can begin to schedule volunteer shifts using our online portal.

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