Specialized Skills and Pro Bono
Even with more than 500 staff members, an active Board and over 5,000 volunteers, we can always use more help! Skills-based volunteering, also called pro bono volunteering, is a great way for you to donate your time, energy and talent in a meaningful way, while you develop your skills, and enhance your resume.
How to Become a Volunteer
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Review the volunteer opportunities below.
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Email your resume and any additional items requested to [email protected].
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The Volunteer Engagement team will review your information and will schedule a phone or in person interview if there is a position that fits your skills and interest.
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Qualified applicants selected for a program will be trained by our professional staff!
Professional volunteers from the community assist in the following areas:
Administrative Professionals |
Professional Administrative Assistants help our Operations, Philanthropy and Human Resources teams with database management, donor relations and various clerical tasks. Volunteers must have office experience and be computer and database savvy. Typical commitment is one 3-4 hour shift per week. Current Need: All positions are filled at this time, please check back for future openings. |
Veterinary Professionals |
Professional Veterinarians, Registered Vet Technicians and Vet Assistants volunteer with our Veterinary team during surgery, treatments and rehabilitation for shelter animals or our San Diego Kitten Nursery team with kitten treatments. Volunteers must successfully complete a working interview prior to volunteering. DVM volunteers must successfully complete a background check prior to volunteering and must possess a valid CA license and liability insurance. RVT volunteers must possess a valid CA RVT certification. Typical commitment is one 3-4 hour shift per week. Current Need: Vet Assistant, RVT and DVM positions available in San Diego and Escondido. |
Professional Dog Trainers |
Professional Dog Trainers and Animal Behavior Specialists assist the Behavior & Training team with training and behavior modification for shelter animals. Volunteer trainers may also assist the Behavior & Training team with public classes and outreach events. Volunteers must successfully complete a working interview prior to volunteering and possess a valid animal training or behavior specialist certification (CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CTC, CBCC-KA, CAAB, etc). Typical commitment is one 2-4 hour shift per week. Current Need: Positions available in San Diego and Oceanside. |
Professional Groomers and Bathers |
Professional Groomers assist with grooming adoptable animals at the shelter or at your grooming salon. Volunteer groomers must be have professional grooming experience with bathing, cleaning ears, trimming nails and cutting and working with a variety of coats. Typical commitment is one 3-4 hour shift per week. Volunteers use own grooming equipment. Current Need: Positions available in San Diego; all grooming positions in Escondido and Oceanside are currently filled, unless you have a mobile grooming van. Professional Bathers assist with bathing dogs at the shelter. Volunteer bathers must be have professional experience with bathing and cleaning ears. Typical commitment is one 3-4 hour shift per week. Current Need: Positions available in Escondido |
Professional Photographers |
Shelter Animal/Event Photographers conduct weekly photo shoots for adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals to be used as promotional photos on the animals’ online profiles. Volunteers will also be asked to serve as event photographers to cover various fundraising events throughout the year. Volunteers must submit a professional portfolio, including samples of companion animal photography, to be reviewed for quality and brand fit. Professional animal photography experience preferred. Typical commitment is one 2 hour shift per week. Current Need: Positions available in Oceanside. Please complete this interest form if you would like to be considered for a volunteer position in our photography program: Photographer Form |
Professional Videographers |
Shelter Animal/Event Videographers shoot and edit videos for adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals to be used as promotional videos on the animals’ online profiles. Volunteers will also be asked to serve as event videographers to cover various stories and fundraising events throughout the year. Volunteers must submit a professional portfolio, including samples of videography work to be reviewed for quality and brand fit. Professional videogrpahy experience preferred, but will also consider students and story telling enthusiasts with own camera or high quality cell phone. Comittment is a weekly set shift, typically 2 hours in length; training provided. Current Need: Positions available in San Diego, Oceanside and Escondido. Please email [email protected] with a link to your resume and online portfolio if you would like to be considered for a volunteer position. |
