Thank you for your interest in volunteering
with the Animal Protection Society of Durham!
Click here to fill out your volunteer application.

APS Volunteer General Requirements:

• Volunteers must be 16+ to walk dogs without adult supervision
• Volunteers must be 15+ to volunteer with our cats without adult supervision
• Volunteers 10+ may volunteer with parent or guardian
• Volunteers work at least 8 hours per month and commit to volunteer for at least six months (for exceptions to this or questions, please still apply and note this in your application; we still want your help!)
• Volunteers must be able and willing to follow procedures for the safety of the animals, the public, volunteers and staff.
• All Volunteers must 1) attend an orientation and 2) complete necessary training before volunteering.
• We accept community service volunteers. To apply, please click here. Our Volunteer Manager will be in touch within a week.

Volunteering at an animal shelter will be physically and emotionally challenging. Should you decide to volunteer, please know you will make a difference in the lives of the animals at the Durham County Animal Shelter and the Durham community, at large.

Volunteers We Need The Most

• Weekday Morning Dog Walkers (8am-10am)
  • Many of our dogs are house-trained, and hold it throughout the night until volunteers are able to let them out in the morning. Sometimes, we have only 1-2 volunteers to walk 40 dogs. This is a crucial shift, as it grants our dogs relief that is important for both their physical and mental health.
  • While we need dog care volunteers throughout the day, the morning shifts typically mean shorter, quicker walks to potty. By the afternoon, we hope dogs will have been out at least once already, and can be taken on more leisurely walks!
• Dog Enrichment Volunteers
  • Passing out toys, introducing new scents, spending quiet time in the back of the kennel.
• Cat Care Volunteers
  • Help with cleaning in the mornings and socializing in the afternoon.
  • Are you under the age of 10 but still want to help? Come and read to cats! All ages are welcome but this is a great position for our younger volunteers.
• Medical Care Volunteer
  • Work closely with our medical department to help clean cages, stock medical supplies, help create surgical packs, etc.
• Front Desk Volunteers
  • Help with filing, greeting the public, answering phones, and data entry.

• Education/Event Volunteers (bilingual a plus!) 
  • Table for community events, raise awareness and educate the public about APS, etc.

How to Become a Volunteer

Dog Walker

1. Complete APS Volunteer Profile at the link at the top of the page. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a welcome packet with a link to the orientation presentation, FAQ about shelter volunteering, and a shelter map.
2. Once you’ve completed Orientation, set up a time to be trained to become a Dog Walker. *Most volunteers will go through two to five hours of training before they begin volunteering independently
3. After completing Orientation and Training, you can sign up through your VicNet portal to find volunteer hours that are right for you.

Dog Enrichment

1. Complete APS Volunteer Profile at the link at the top of the page. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a welcome packet with a link to the orientation presentation, FAQ about shelter volunteering, and a shelter map.
2. Once you’ve completed Orientation, set up a time to become trained with Dog Enrichment.
3. After completing Orientation and Training, you can sign up through your VicNet portal to find volunteer hours that are right for you.

Cat Care

1. Complete APS Volunteer Profile at the link at the top of the page. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a welcome packet with a link to the orientation presentation, FAQ about shelter volunteering, and a shelter map.
2. Once you’ve completed Orientation, set up a time to be trained to help with Cat Care. *Most volunteers will go through two to five hours of training before they begin volunteering independently
3. After completing Orientation and Training, you can sign up through your VicNet portal to find volunteer hours that are right for you.

Medical Care Volunteer

1. Complete APS Volunteer Profile at the link at the top of the page. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a welcome packet with a link to the orientation presentation, FAQ about shelter volunteering, and a shelter map.
2. Once you’ve completed Orientation, set up a time to be trained to help with Medical Care. *Most volunteers will go through two to five hours of training before they begin volunteering independently
3. After completing Orientation and Training, you can sign up through your VicNet portal to find volunteer hours that are right for you.

Front Desk Volunteer

1. Complete APS Volunteer Profile at the link at the top of the page. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a welcome packet with a link to the orientation presentation, FAQ about shelter volunteering, and a shelter map.
2. Once you’ve completed Orientation, set up a time to be trained to help with the Front Desk. *Most volunteers will go through two to five hours of training before they begin volunteering independently
3. After completing Orientation and Training, you can sign up through your VicNet portal to find volunteer hours that are right for you.

Event Volunteer

1. Complete APS Volunteer Profile at the link at the top of the page. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a welcome packet with a link to the orientation presentation, FAQ about shelter volunteering, and a shelter map.
2. Once you’ve completed Orientation, click here to complete  Event Volunteer specific Orientation.
3. Once completed, email certificate to Anna Wilcox at anna.wilcox@apsofdurham.org
4. After completing both Orientations, you can sign up through your VicNet portal to find volunteer hours that are right for you.

Dog Handler for Events

1. Complete APS Volunteer Profile at the link at the top of the page. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a welcome packet with a link to the orientation presentation, FAQ about shelter volunteering, and a shelter map.
2. Once you’ve completed Orientation, set up a time to be trained to become a Dog Walker. *You must have 8 hours of Dog Walking experience to become a Dog Handler for events.
3. Once you’ve completed Orientation, click here to complete Dog Handler specific Orientation.
4. Once completed, email certificate to Anna Wilcox at anna.wilcox@apsofdurham.org
5. After completing both Orientations, you can sign up through your VicNet portal to find volunteer hours that are right for you.

Cat Handler for Events

1. Complete APS Volunteer Profile at the link at the top of the page. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a welcome packet with a link to the orientation presentation, FAQ about shelter volunteering, and a shelter map.
2. Once you’ve completed Orientation, set up a time to be trained to become a Cat Care volunteer. *You must have 5 hours of Cat Care experience to become a Cat Handler for events.
3. Once you’ve completed Orientation, click here to complete Cat Handler specific Orientation.
4. Once completed, email certificate to Anna Wilcox at anna.wilcox@apsofdurham.org
5. After completing both Orientations, you can sign up through your VicNet portal to find volunteer hours that are right for you.

How Teens & Children Can Help

Many young people ask how they can help the homeless animals at the Durham County Animal Shelter. Due to liability concerns, volunteers working with the dogs (feeding, socializing, etc.) must be at least 16 to volunteer without a guardian present (at least 15 to work with the cats).

Children and Teens 10 years or older, Learn more here…

Children 9 years and younger, Learn more here…

(We do not have on-site shelter volunteer opportunities for kids 9 years and under)