They need you. We need you. You can make a difference.
WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING NEW VOLUNTEERS
APPLY TO BECOME A volunteer
The Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. relies on the assistance of caring, hardworking volunteers to help us find homes for thousands of animals that come through our doors every year. Our volunteers make an enormous difference in our life-saving mission.
Meet the
Humane Education Coordinator
Welcome prospective volunteers! My name is Jennifer Love and I am excited to add you to our well-rounded team of animal lovers. I followed my passion and earned my Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Science and Equine Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is 2016. From there I joined the Community Outreach team at OC Animal Care in Tustin, and eventually gained additional experience in rescue management before joining IVHS in 2020. By volunteering at the Inland Valley Humane Society, you will gain rewarding experience in a wide variety of skillsets varying from veterinary care to adoptions. We rely on our volunteers to promote a comfortable and stress-free environment for our animals during their stay at the shelter. Daily enrichment, grooming, and socialization allow our animals to have an outlet from their kennel, and greatly improves well-being & adoptability. I am thrilled to utilize your current level of experience with animals, and teach you new skills that can be applied in and out of the workplace.
IVHS & SPCA Volunteer Program Mission Statement
To provide a meaningful experience for volunteers as they enrich the lives of shelter animals and provide assistance to shelter staff, customers and potential adopters.
IF YOUR STUDENT NEEDS A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS FOR SCHOOL PLEASE CLICK HERE AND LOOK UNDER PROJECTS.
Adoption Ambassador
Goal of position: to find forever homes for our shelter animals that are a good match for both the animals and the potential adopters
Duties
- help place animals into permanent homes, loving and responsible homes
- show animals to potential adopters
- assist the public in selecting a companion animal
- communicate and provide assistance to Adoption Counselors
click here for full description
Dog Walking & Enrichment
Goal of position: to provide an outlet for dogs to de-stress and engage in behaviors that promote well-being
Duties
- walk & socialize adoptable dogs
- provide bathroom relief for adoptable dogs
- complete Animal Report Cards
click here for full description
Cat & Rabbit Care
Goal of position: to stimulate the animals through sights, sounds and smells while in their kennels
Duties
- socialize cats & rabbits
- prepare, distribute and clean various enrichment items
- documents interactions with each animal
click here for full description
Office Assistant
Goal of position: provide assistance to various departments for the following duties
Duties
- help write Pet Sympathy cards & Thank You cards
- organize Volunteer Desk area
- put together event goodie bags
- data entry
- gather supplies for foster to-go boxes
- sort donations
- file paperwork
- fold clean laundry
click here for full description
Health Care Center
Goal of position: provide assistance to veterinarians, technicians and animal patients in the clinic
Duties
- fold & wrap surgical gowns and drapes
- clean & sterilize surgical areas, instruments and equipment
- clean animal kennels in health care center
- help receptionists discharge animals back to their guardians
- clean & fold laundry
- help recovering animals after anesthesia
- make cones for animal patients post-surgery
click here for full description
Kennel Photographer
Goal of position: to capture creative and high quality photographs of adoptable animals to improve website media for the lost & stray animals within our care
Duties
- take photographs and videos of adoptable animals
- help capture content for social media
click here for full description
Groomer
Goal of position: to improve the physical appearance of adoptable animals
Duties
- bath & groom adoptable animals
- take photographs of groomed animals
- Anyone 18 years or older may apply to become an IVHS & SPCA volunteer (14-17 year olds must be with a legal guardian. The legal guardian must sign up to volunteer and be with the 14-17 year old at all times. IVHS offers outside projects for our younger animal lovers – Click here for youth volunteer programs.
- You will be given a shirt, apron and name badge on your first day. Temporary name badges are available in the volunteer center if you forget your badge. No open toe shoes. Long pants are required.
- Due to the current construction of our future medical facility, the public parking lot is limited to customer parking only. Please park along Humane Way.
If you are a corporation looking to volunteer as a group, we offer sponsorship opportunities. Please contact our Special Events Coordinator, Lisa Roybal, at lroybal@ivhsspca.org
If you are an organization looking to help, we offer our annual Paws for Pets Walk in May for a one day opportunity to give back. Please contact our Special Events Coordinator, Lisa Roybal, at lroybal@ivhsspca.org
How do I become a volunteer?
IVHS takes volunteers over the age of 18 (or 14 if with a parent/guardian), no experience needed! Please fill out an online application, and sign up for an orientation date. Following your orientation, you can begin volunteering at any time. We have an easy-access volunteer portal where you can sign up for shifts. Proof of a COVID vaccination is required to volunteer at IVHS.
How old do you have to be to volunteer?
14 years old is the minimum age to volunteer at IVHS, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also an approved volunteer. Volunteers 18+ may volunteer unaccompanied.
Can I get community service hours for school?
Hours towards school-ordered community service can be verified upon completion of shifts, and should be signed off on before the volunteer signs out for the day. Volunteers are directly responsible for tracking and logging their own hours. A letter of recommendation can be written after 20 hours of volunteer service.
What do I do if I cannot find an open orientation spot?
Orientations are hosted the first Saturday of the month, and the third Tuesday of the month. If you do not see available orientation slots, the day has been filled. Volunteer orientation openings are released a month prior to each scheduled orientation date.