Volunteer Opportunities
Current Volunteers
If you’re already a Cat Care Society volunteer, thank you for dedicating your time and energy to help us achieve our mission! Log in to Vicnet to log your time and manage schedules.
New Volunteers
Volunteer applications are now open! Applications will be open until February 8 (or until application limit is reached).
New volunteers will undergo shelter training and individualized training for their role. Learn about open positions and complete your application below!
Things to consider before applying
Caring for cats in a shelter setting is very different from life with a pet at home. While Cat Care Society works hard to create calm, enriching spaces, shelters can still be overwhelming for cats. They are surrounded by unfamiliar sights, sounds, scents, and people, often all at once. Because of this, we ask volunteers to approach every interaction with patience, awareness, and extra care.
Many people are also surprised by how active volunteering can be. While there are plenty of sweet moments with our cats, much of the work involves helping keep their spaces clean, comfortable, and engaging during their stay with us. Most volunteer roles include standing, walking, bending, lifting, and being on your feet for extended periods of time.
We encourage you to thoughtfully consider these realities as we determine a role that helps set both you and our cats up for success.
Volunteer Requirements
- Must be 16 years or older
- Must complete a background check
- Must commit to a weekly 2-hour shift
- A $35 onboarding fee is required for all new volunteers*
*If you are passionate about our program and are unable to pay the fee, please reach out to us at volunteers@catcaresociety.org to discuss options.
Application Process
Our application and onboarding process takes approximately 6-8 weeks to complete:
- Fill out the volunteer application online
- Complete a phone interview with our volunteer team to learn more about open positions
- Pay the $35 volunteer onboarding fee to help cover costs of background check, t-shirt, and nametag
- Complete a background check
- Attend a 90-minute volunteer orientation at the CCS Shelter. Available times:
- Monday, February 23, 5:30-7:00 PM
- Wednesday, February 25, 5:30-7:00 PM
- Saturday, February 28, 10:00-11:30 AM
- Complete individualized training for your role and your first shift*
*Training shifts may occur on days/times that are different from your regular shift assignment.
Open Positions
2-hour weekly shifts are available for the following positions. Click the button below each position to read the full position description
Cat Care Specialist
8:00-10:00 AM, 12:00-4:00 PM daily
Cat Care Specialists are critical to the cleanliness of our facility and care of our cats. This position focuses on maintaining clean, comfortable, and enriched living spaces while working closely with the Animal Care team to observe cats’ daily habits. Providing a calm, well-maintained environment reduces stress and supports cats as they prepare for their next home.
Adoptions Assistant
11 AM-5 PM Thurs-Sun
Adoptions Assistant volunteers support the Adoptions Team by welcoming patrons and helping them navigate the shelter. This role plays an important part in creating a positive visitor experience and connecting cats with potential adopters. Volunteers may answer basic questions and help keep adoption areas organized and inviting.
Enrichment Volunteer
10 AM-12 PM, 2:00-4:00 PM Sat-Thurs
Enrichment Volunteers provide mental and physical stimulation to support cats’ emotional well-being and encourage natural behaviors. This role involves engaging cats in approved enrichment activities and socialization, based on individual needs. Volunteer observations help behavior staff make adjustments to improve outcomes and address emerging needs.
Cat Care Specialist
8:00-10:00 AM, 12:00-4:00 PM daily
Cat Care Specialists are critical to the cleanliness of our facility and care of our cats. This position focuses on maintaining clean, comfortable, and enriched living spaces while working closely with the Animal Care team to observe cats’ daily habits. Providing a calm, well-maintained environment reduces stress and supports cats as they prepare for their next home.
Adoptions Assistant
11 AM-5 PM Thurs-Sun
Adoptions Assistant volunteers support the Adoptions Team by welcoming patrons and helping them navigate the shelter. This role plays an important part in creating a positive visitor experience and connecting cats with potential adopters. Volunteers may answer basic questions and help keep adoption areas organized and inviting.
Enrichment Volunteer
10 AM-12 PM, 2:00-4:00 PM Sat-Thurs
Enrichment Volunteers provide mental and physical stimulation to support cats’ emotional well-being and encourage natural behaviors. This role involves engaging cats in approved enrichment activities and socialization, based on individual needs. Volunteer observations help behavior staff make adjustments to improve outcomes and address emerging needs.
Ready to join us?
Click the button below to being your Cat Care Society volunteer journey!
Want to Foster Instead?
What Volunteers Are Saying
Volunteering for CCS is a great experience. It has allowed me to contribute to the community and feel like I’m making a difference, no matter how small it seems. I always walk away knowing I spent a few hours doing something that was needed that will help the staff working there focus on other important things. And I get to see and pet cats! I encourage people to apply – there are so many different opportunities to help anybody can do it.”
– Dany T, CCS foster, seminar assistant and shelter organization volunteer
“It feels good to help an organization that you believe in. It's one thing to provide funding, which is incredibly important! But it is also personally satisfying to be able to give my time, energy, and love directly to the shelter.”
– Melissa C, CCS retail store volunteer
“I would recommend volunteering to others because it’s bringing love to an animal and bringing love to a person. It brings more love to the world!”
– Vicky G, CCS volunteer cat socializer
Open Hours
Tues–Weds: Closed
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