Summer Opportunities

Minimum age: 12 years
When: Monday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Office admin volunteers help with the essential behind-the-scenes tasks that keep the shelter running, including organizing pet supplies and paperwork, greeting guests, and setting up for events. This is a great opportunity for young volunteers looking to get involved.

Note that this is not a weekly shift. Opportunities are drop-in only. We will reach out to you when hours become available.

Minimum age: 16 years
When: Monday-Sunday, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wildlife transporters take sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife from our shelter to Peninsula Humane Society's wildlife center in Burlingame for treatment and rehabilitation. When wildlife (such as baby squirrels, birds, and raccoons) arrive at our shelter you’ll receive a text message alert. If you are available to transport within two hours, you have the option to accept the transport. There is no obligation if you’re unavailable. Click here for more details.

Minimum age: 5 years with an adult
When: Select days, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Want to make a shelter dog's day? Take one out for a Doggy Day Out! Through this field trip program, participants can take a dog out of the shelter for a few hours. Field trips can be a relaxing morning at home, a visit to a park for playtime, or even a hike on one of the Bay’s dog-friendly trails!

Minimum age: 18 years old
When: Monday-Sunday, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Laundry Care volunteers help with cleaning, folding, and putting away laundry. These volunteers fill an essential role to help make sure all of the animals have clean and fluffy towels and blankets to use and sleep on! Sign up to volunteer today to help our animals have comfort and care!


In-Shelter Volunteering

Minimum Age: 16 years old (or turning 16 in the next 6 months). Please note that the minimum age for in-shelter volunteering is strictly upheld. Underage volunteers cannot volunteer with an adult.

In-shelter volunteers work directly with animals in the shelter, providing crucial exercise, socialization, and training for the shelters’ cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds.

Due to the extensive training that we provide, we ask for a minimum commitment of 2 hours every week for 4 months.

Because of the training provided, we are only able to bring on new volunteers during our recruitment periods, which open on the first day of the following months: January, April, July, and October. Please note that we are not able to bring on new volunteers outside of these recruitment periods.

Summer recruitment is closed

We will be recruiting again on October 1st, please check back then!


Use this form to get email updates on the latest volunteer opportunities, including when in-shelter recruitment begins.

Email  volunteer@petsinneed.org for any questions. Please remember that we are not able to bring on in-shelter volunteers outside of our recruitment periods noted above.

Did you know? Many companies will match employees’ volunteer hours with a donation. Learn more about volunteer grants.