Animal Shelter Volunteer

Awareness & Understanding

Thousands of animals sit in shelters right now waiting for someone to care. In Salt Lake County alone, Animal Services (slco.org/animal-services) takes in tens of thousands of animals every year. Volunteering at a shelter means walking dogs, socializing cats, cleaning kennels, and helping animals stay calm and adoptable. Start by watching "A Day in the Life of an Animal Shelter Volunteer" on YouTube to see what the work actually looks like. Visit the websites of Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org) — headquartered in southern Utah — and the Utah Humane Society (utahhumane.org) to explore their missions. You're ready for the next step when you can describe three specific tasks shelter volunteers do and why each one matters for the animals.

Research & Investigation

Research the shelters near you. In the Salt Lake Valley, major options include the Utah Humane Society (Salt Lake City and South Salt Lake), Salt Lake County Animal Services (West Valley City), and smaller rescue organizations like Rescue Rovers or Liberty's Army Animal Rescue. Visit their websites and check their volunteer pages — most list age requirements, training schedules, and time commitments. Some shelters require volunteers to be at least 15 or 16 years old; others welcome younger volunteers with a parent. Write down three shelters, their volunteer requirements, and their application process. You're ready for the next step when you've identified the shelter that is the best fit for your age, schedule, and location.

Planning & Preparation

Get yourself ready before you show up. Complete the shelter's online volunteer application and sign up for their orientation session — most Utah shelters offer these monthly or biweekly. Learn basic animal body language so you can read when a dog is stressed or when a cat wants space. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has free dog and cat behavior guides at aspca.org. Watch YouTube videos from the channel "Zak George's Dog Training Revolution" for tips on calm, confident handling. Gather what you'll need: closed-toe shoes, clothes you don't mind getting dirty, and a positive attitude. You're ready for the next step when you've submitted your application and completed the shelter's required orientation.

Taking Action

Show up and do the work. Complete at least four volunteer shifts over the next few weeks. Each shift, push yourself to go beyond the basics — if you usually walk dogs, ask staff if you can help with socialization for shy animals. Take a few notes after each shift: which animals did you work with, what did you notice about their behavior, and what did you learn? If the shelter allows it, share a photo or update on social media to help an animal get adopted — even one post can make a difference. You're ready for the next step when you've completed four shifts and written a short reflection on what you've observed about animal behavior and shelter operations.

Leadership & Expansion

Take your commitment to the next level. Ask a shelter staff member if you can take on a more responsible role — foster care orientation, leading other new volunteers on a tour, or helping organize a donation drive for supplies. You could also use Canva (canva.com) to design a free social media post or flyer highlighting one adoptable animal each week. Reach out to friends or family and invite at least one other person to come volunteer with you or donate supplies the shelter needs. Shelters always need items like old towels, newspaper, and Kong toys. You're ready for the next step when you've taken on at least one expanded responsibility or recruited one other person to support the shelter.

Impact & Reflection

Reflect on the six weeks you gave to animals in need. Write a one-to-two page reflection covering what you learned about animal welfare, what surprised you, and how the experience changed how you think about your community. Consider how shelters connect to bigger civic issues — animal overpopulation, responsible pet ownership, and community funding decisions. If you want to keep going, explore volunteer leadership programs at the Utah Humane Society or apply to Best Friends Animal Society's youth programs. You're ready for the next step when you can explain how your volunteer hours made a measurable difference — whether that's an animal adopted, a skill you taught, or a donation you helped bring in.