Note: You will be required to purchase a Pet Orphans Volunteer t-shirt (to be worn at all times while volunteering) at the time of Orientation for $15.00.

Due to training costs and the need to keep every volunteer updated with policy and safety practices, along with the desire to encourage and offer as much assistance to our dedicated volunteers, we have a minimal participation commitment of 5 hours monthly to be a Pet Orphans Volunteer.

Following is a list of the volunteer opportunities at Pet Orphans of Southern California. When filling out the on-line application, you will be given the opportunity to list the positions that are best suited to your interests and skills.

Please keep in mind that we also need volunteers who can donate their time and ability in specialized areas for short term and ongoing projects, such as auto repair, copier repair, computer repair and handyman type jobs. If you have special skills you would like to offer, or if there are any services you can provide which are not listed on the volunteer application, please describe them in your application at the end in the Additional Comments section.

At your volunteer orientation you will receive a Volunteer Handbook with each position described in detail as well as the requirements (i.e. Orientation, Kennel Training, etc.). You may always be cross-trained and take on several tasks if you choose. Please indicate which volunteer opportunities interest you the most by marking your choices in the blanks provided. Junior Volunteers may NOT perform jobs with an asterisk * by them.

VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS:

Adoption Counselor *: Assist prospective adopters with the selection of a pet best suited to their family and lifestyle placing pets into loving, permanent homes that are mutually compatible for the pet and adoptive family. Requires additional training with experienced Adoption Counselors and the Adoption Manager.

Cat Socializer: Help keep Pet Orphans of Southern California cats content by providing necessary attention, brushing and playtime. Give special attention to our shy felines to improve their chances of adoption.

Dog Socializer: Provide attention, quiet time and positive reinforcement to our dogs through affection, brushing, holding and loving. Sit with dogs and give “quiet” time to help relieve them of the stress of kennel time. Reinforce good behavior and discourage inappropriate behavior consistently. Train basic commands (sit, stay, down).

Dog Coach (Invitation Only)*: Provide exercise and attention to the dogs at our shelter. Assist with teaching the dogs simple obedience (sit, heel, down, stay, leave it, etc.) and loose leash walking skills. Must consistently adhere to the training principles provided by POSC. Must successfully complete the Dog Coach extended training program and continue to take a Refresher Dog Coach course once a year.

Puppy Pre-school: "I Ain't Afraid of No Mailman" Puppy Socialization Party -- Help socialize our puppy residents to the big bad world and everything in it!

Rover's Rehab: Help shy & fearful dogs come out of their shells and become more adoptable, a seven to nine day program that gives rewards for strong, confident behaviors and encourages dogs to solicit human interaction.

Foster Parent*: Foster Parenting is only available to our current and regular volunteers. We are not able to accept Foster Parents who are not involved with our ongoing programs. We are very fortunate to have large and spacious kennel facilities and large catteries so our dogs and cats are here on the property when we are open to the public 7 days a week for prospective adopters to meet. However, on occasion we do need to find a suitable Rehabilitation/Foster Parent. These instances arise when a particular dog may not be kenneling well, or may have certain issues. Pet Orphans would pay to have a trainer come into the Foster Parent’s home and train the Foster Parent on how to work with the dog to successfully overcome specific issues. Then the dog is returned to Pet Orphans and made available for adoption. To participate in this program, in addition to being a current volunteer, a Foster Application, additional training and approval of the Adoption Manager are required.

Fundraiser: Assist with POSC fundraisers, or create your own. May place or distribute informational Pet Orphans of Southern California brochures and flyers for the public to view.

Greeter*: Welcome the public during our weekend open hours (11:00 am - 5:00 pm) and answer phones. Provide general information about our procedures to visitors.

Groomer Assistant: With training, learn how to bathe and groom our dogs, cats, puppies and kittens to keep them clean and healthy.

Humane Education*: May help make packets for students or assist with school presentations in educating the public on responsible pet ownership and the need for spay/neutering.

Kennel Helper: While we hope all volunteers help in this area, we need specific volunteers to assist the kennel staff in a variety of tasks as needed, including cleaning kennels, washing dog dishes, laundry, maintaining facility cleanliness and generally making our pet orphans comfortable.

Mobile Events: Represent Pet Orphans of Southern California, and take our orphans on the road to community events to increase their chances of adoption while promoting awareness of our shelter to a variety of off-site locations.

Office Assistant: Assist office staff with general duties such as answering phones, filing, entering computer data, photocopying, putting adoption packets together, etc.

Special Events: Throughout the year, we always need assistance with a variety of special events. Duties may include computer input and various organizational duties.

*Not available to our Junior Volunteers.

Adult Volunteer Application Form

Junior Volunteer Application Form