Get Involved

Volunteer Program

Looking for a way to match your skills and interests with your love for animals? The Animal Rescue League of Boston may need your help. Our three Animal Care and Adoption Centers, our Spay Waggin' and administrative offices often need volunteers* to help with everything from animal care to general office support; from staffing special events to working on creative projects. Whether it’s feeding our shelter animals or applying your communications, writing, graphic design or office skills, we have numerous and meaningful ways for you to get involved.

Volunteering at the ARL of Boston is not only personally rewarding, but you will learn new skills that can help build your resume.

June 2011 Update: Please note that our Dedham branch is currently not accepting volunteers for the remainder of 2011 due to an upcoming building renovation.  

Things to consider about volunteering at the ARL of Boston

• Are you over sixteen years of age? Minors must submit a Parent Waiver Form. Click here for a downloadable copy.
• Do you have a few hours a week to commit for at least six months?
• Do you have admin or related animal care experience?
• Can you access our locations in Boston, Brewster, Dedham or the listed mobile program sites?
• Do you understand that while we might not have position match for you currently, your application will be kept on file for one year?
• Did you read that the $10.00 application charge is considered a donation to the League whether or not volunteer placement occurs?

Steps to Becoming an ARL Volunteer:

1. Submit your application donation by clicking here and a link to our volunteer application will follow.
2. Please call after 48 hours for a volunteer application review.
3. If matched in a position, attend volunteer orientation and trainings. Please note that a one-time application donation of $10.00 will be collected during the application process. Please note that this is considered a donation to the ARL of Boston and does not guarantee placement in our volunteer program.

Teen program (Currently full, please call back after September 5, 2012)

Teens ages 13-16 may call 617-226-5670 for information on our school year based "Mutts-n-More" program. This program is run of our Dedham branch; each session runs for five weeks and students can receive community service hours for school.  Students in this supervised program help with dog walking, kennel cleaning, cat socializing, farm animal care and cleaning, filing, photography, etc.  Sorry, we do not have a volunteer program for children under 13 at this time.
 
*Please note that the volunteer program is highly competitive and submission of an application and fee does not guarantee placement.  Your application will be stored in our data base, so please do not fill out multiple applications.   

POTENTIAL ARL OF BOSTON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

 *Please see our application for current volunteer opportunities.  Sorry, our group volunteer opportunities are currently filled.

• Administrative Assistant:  Assist our Accounting and Development offices with data entry, filing and answering calls to the public.
• Adoption Assistant: Work with potential adopters in our Adoption Centers helping to select an appropriate companion animal and provide basic behavioral and health-care information and counseling. Adoption Assistants also answer phone calls from the public and assist staff in preparing animals for adoption (i.e. holding animal during nail trims, etc.).
• Canine Companion/Feline Friends: All dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens need regular exercise and socialization, and some of our shelter animals have special requirements. Volunteers give the shelter dogs and cats the extra TLC they deserve.
• Morning Kennel Cleaner: Provide the staff with important behind the scenes help cleaning the Animal Care and Adoption Centers.
• Assist staff in preparing animals for adoption (i.e. holding animal during nail trims, etc.).
• Laundry Aide:  Assist with making sure that our pets have clean, comfortable bedding to rest on.
• Mobile Clinic: Help our Spay Waggin’ team at our surgery locations assisting with animal care and surgery clean up.

Feel free to contact Debby Vogel, Volunteer Services Manager, at dvogel@arlboston.org or (617) 226-5670 with any questions or for more information.