Volunteer

We call them volunteers, but to the staff and the animals, they are heroes. Wherever they serve, volunteers are a precious resource at Animal Samaritans. Help us help the animals and your community! Become a volunteer for Animal Samaritans.

As a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, Animal Samaritans relies on caring volunteers to help with its many programs and events. If you are interested in supporting our cause with your time and abilities, we’d love to hear from you.

Junior volunteers are welcome to apply but MUST be 16 years or older to volunteer.

  • COURT ORDERED VOLUNTEERS

    We accept court ordered community service volunteers. Court ordered volunteers clean kennels, wash dishes and do laundry. You must contact the shelter manager via email at nmarin@animalsamaritans.org or call the shelter at 760-601-3918

    Do not fill out a volunteer application.

  • The shelter provides animals with a safe environment to live out their lives until a “forever home” is found. Volunteers help the animals feel more comfortable at the shelter by interacting with them through play, grooming, and conversation. They provide love until permanent adopters can be found.

    This important job helps the animals socialize, preparing them for their new homes and increasing their likelihood of being adopted.

    Cat Cuddlers – Volunteers in this program help ensure that cats in our shelters become in a state of optimal physical, behavioral & emotional health!

    Dog Socializers - Volunteers in this program help ensure that dogs in our shelters become in a state of optimal physical, behavioral & emotional health!

    Dog Walkers – Shelters are constantly in need of dog walkers to help take care of the dogs and give them some much needed (and looked–forward–to!) exercise outside of their kennels.

    General Shelter Help - Assist with light cleaning, sweeping, and assist with washing and folding.

  • Our clinics are staffed by licensed veterinarians and trained support personnel. Our volunteers help greet customers and their pets as they arrive.

    Our Greeters help make our clients and their pets feel welcome and valued.

  • Visit our ACT page to learn how you and your pet can bring companionship and emotional well-being to residents in hospitals, convalescent homes, assisted living centers, school, and Juvenile Hall centers.

  • Fostering is a rewarding and hands-on way to help us rescue an animal in need. As a foster, you’ll provide a safe and loving home for a pup or kitten until they find their forever home.

    When you foster, you help save two lives: the pet you take home & the pet entering that open kennel. It’s one of the most impactful & rewarding ways to get involved. The benefits of fostering are endless, but according to our current fosters, the best part is knowing that you played a crucial role in saving a life!

  • Our staff visits 14,000 school students annually, from Palm Springs to Mecca.

  • Animal Samaritans holds several annual fundraisers, which raise resources for our programs and awareness for our organization.

  • Animal Samaritans is always in need of "Highway Heroes" volunteers!

    These volunteers are so important in saving the lives of at-risk, local animals. Our Highway Heroes drive animals in need from local shelters, that have high euthanasia rates, to no kill rescues around the state.

    If you are interested in becoming a Highway Hero and saving animals lives in the new year,

  • Animal Samaritans aims to maximize every dollar raised and every hour of work by staff. As such, Animal Samaritans utilizes volunteers to help staff accomplish the day-to-day tasks that keep our machine running.

    Administrative volunteer work includes everything from data entry, to tracking auction items, to making phone calls, copies, and conducting research. Volunteers may also assist with writing newsletters, forms, invitations, fact sheets and donor database work.

Current Volunteers