Oceanside Campus
Thank you for your interest in serving at the shelter!
Our team of dedicated volunteers help at our Oceanside Campus assist with animal care tasks and exceptional guest service. If you can comitt to one shift every other week, for at least three months, we would love to have you join the team!
Check out this virtual tour of our Oceanside campus!
New volunteers join the team and help with non-animal handling activities in our Guest Relations and/or Animal Care departments. Learn about animal sheltering and San Diego Humane Society services all while supporting our daily work!
Volunteer Activities:
Guest Guide
Be the first smiling face our visitors see when they arrive on campus. Provide a welcoming experience by greeting each guest and connecting them with the services they need. Community members visit us for many different reasons, such as adopting a new family member, bringing in a found stray, receiving free pet food and supplies, reclaiming a lost pet or having to relinquish their pet. Whatever they need, our Guest Guides are there to assist them with compassion.
Shifts typically available 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday, Friday-Sunday.
Animal Care - Projects
Assist with enrichment projects to support the care of the animals. Tasks include prepping treats, cleaning dishes, laundry and spot cleaning kennels.
Shifts typically available 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday.
Animal Care – Kennel Cleaning Routines
Assist staff with cleaning kennels for dogs, cats, rabbits or guinea pigs. May also assist with laundry and dishes. These tasks do not involve handling animals which allows volunteers to get started and make an impact quickly, with limited training requirements. Helping with these daily tasks ensures the animals are well taken care of and comfortable while at the shelter.
Shifts typically available 8-10 a.m., Tuesday-Sunday.
Animal Handling Activities
After 5 shifts and two months of successful service on our team, volunteers 18 and older are eligible to apply to step up to core level teams to support activities such as dog walking (greatest need), kitten care in our kitten nursery or in our hospital. We recruit for these teams periodlically throughout the year, as needed. These roles require online and hands on training, more responsibility and a commitment of 4 shifts per month.
Please review these requirements to determine if our volunteer team is a match for you:
Schedule: Initial volunteer shifts available 10 a.m.-5 p.m, Tuesday-Sunday. Additional volunteer activities unlocked after completing first two shifts in the shelter.
Flexible schedule - Shifts must be booked online via website or app.
Comittment: One 2-hour shift every other week, for a minimum of 3 months.
Age: Volunteers 16 or older may volunteer unaccompanied. Under 16 but want to get involved? Check out our DIY page or Youth Services page!
Access to a computer or smart phone: All volunteer communication is done via email, scheduling and training is done online via website or app.
Training deadline: Applicants must complete their Orientation within one month of applying and serve their first volunteer shift within one month of attending Orientation.
New volunteer onboarding steps:
- Application - We recruit new volunteers throughout the year, on an as-needed basis. Our online application is posted below during open recruitment periods.
- Online Learning - Complete one training course to learn more about San Diego Humane Society and the volunteer program.
- Orientation- This small group session includes a behind-the-scenes tour and group service projects to determine if our volunteer team is the right fit for you.
FAQs: You can review additional frequently asked questions here!
Recruitment Period and Application
We are now accepting applications for new volunteers!
