King County Animal Care and Control - Volunteer Opportunities
On behalf of the staff and animals at King County Animal Care and Control, thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. Our volunteers are critical to our success in helping the animals in our care. We have volunteer opportunities that provide you one-on-one with the animals - and they're what it's all about!
Volunteer Positions
Dog Exercising
What's better than a nice long walk with a furry friend. Become a Dog Exercising volunteer and take adoption dogs on trail walks near the Kent shelter, or a friendly park near the Crossroads shelter!
You must be comfortable with all sized dogs; some dog experience is helpful. The dogs have good hearts, but not always good leash manners. Exercise is key to keeping them healthy and happy while at the shelter. And most importantly their time outside with the volunteers releases some of their energy so they visit better with prospective adopters.
Dog Exercising volunteers at the Kent shelter can also take adoption dogs to the fenced, off-leash area for play.
Required training: Volunteer Orientation, Dog Exercising training Commitment: Two hours a week, with an overall commitment of 6 months
Kent shelter: Dog Walking/Exercising Bellevue (Crossroads) shelter: Dog Walking
Cat Cuddling
Cat lovers this volunteer position is for you! Imagine spending a couple of hours doing nothing but playing and loving adoption cats! It's fun for the volunteer and awesome for the cats and kittens. Volunteers take cats and kittens out of their adoption cages and into a separate room. Sometimes the cats want to play and some just want to be snuggle bugs and be held and pet. Some experience with cats is encouraged.
Required training: Volunteer Orientation, Cat Cuddling training Commitment: Two hours a week, with an overall commitment of 6 months
Position available at both shelter locations.
Off-site Cat Care
We have great cats available for adoption at four remote locations, and we need help caring for them!
Reber Ranch - Kent PetSmart - Federal Way Petco - Covington Petco - Bellevue (Crossroads)
We have morning and late afternoon/evening shifts available. This is a great opportunity for the cat person who lives close to one of these stores, or drives by on their way to or from work, school, etc.
The morning Off-site Cat Care volunteer will clean the cats' cages, feed them breakfast, and give the cats some love and attention. The evening volunteer will do a spot check clean (litter, water, etc.), feed the cats' dinner and provide more love and attention.
Required training: Volunteer Orientation, Off-site Cat Care training Commitment: Weekly (length depends on number of cats at the location), with an overall commitment of 6 months
Foster Care
Open your heart and your home to dogs/puppies and cats/kittens who need to get well or get bigger before they can go out for adoption. Sick animals get better faster in a stress-free environment. Your home is the perfect place for them to get one on one attention and the love they need to grow and/or get well.
Foster Care for Special Needs Animals
Dog and cats with special medical needs or behavior issues can require extra care from a special foster home before being made available for adoption. By opening your home to these animals, you are providing them with extra time and special assistance before their new home is found.
We also have a need for Foster Care when the shelter is over capacity. Fostering is a great experience and a great way to involve the whole family in volunteering. Foster homes expand our walls. Fostering offers you the experience of saving a life.
Required training: Volunteer Orientation, Foster Care training Commitment: Varies with animals' need. Fostering can last for several weeks.
Click here to read more about foster care volunteering.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Additional ways to help get involved.
Fundraising
Work with Friends of King County Animal Care and Control, a non-profit group committed to raising money for shelter animals and programs.
Towel or Blanket Drive
Coordinate a towel or blanket drive at your school or office. Make our shelter animals a little more comfortable by collecting blankets for them to lounge on.
Other special projects
If you have an idea for a special project, please let us know!
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