Volunteer with Monmouth County SPCA
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Monmouth County SPCA! We offer in-shelter volunteer opportunities for persons18 years of age or older.
The mission of the Monmouth County SPCA’s Volunteer Program is to enhance the daily care and well-being of our shelter animals by partnering with our staff to provide hands-on support. By performing essential daily tasks, volunteers free up staff so they can dedicate their expertise and additional time and attention to the animals who need them the most.
Our volunteers help in every area of our shelter, from basic needs, to dog walking, cat socialization, and outreach events. We rely on our volunteers to help us provide top-notch care for our animals and maintain the MCSPCA as a premier animal welfare organization. Join us in fulfilling our mission to advocate for all animals!
MCSPCA Volunteer Interest Survey
Junior Volunteer Program
for those under the age of 18
To Become a Volunteer:
All volunteers must be at least 18 years old, no exceptions.
All volunteers are required to:
- Fill out the MCSPCA Volunteer Interest Survey. Within a few days you will be contacted.
- Attend New Volunteer Orientation. Orientations are held every two months at the shelter. Orientation will cover specific information about the volunteer process. Pay a one time $100 Volunteer Fee. Pass a background check, and complete additional onboarding paperwork.
- Attend a tour of the shelter with a Mentor Volunteer.
- Train with a Job Mentor in various basic needs of the shelter
- Complete 16 hours of basic shelter needs from a job chosen from the New Volunteer Job Booklet. After completing your 16 hours performing shelter basic needs, connect with the Volunteer Coordinator about interests in other areas of the shelter. Until fully trained, interaction with shelter animals must remain limited.
Volunteer Opportunities
The MCSPCA is much more than just an animal shelter and we need volunteers in all areas throughout our organization.
Below are just some of the opportunities open to MCSPCA Volunteers. Tap each title to learn more:
Basic Needs
All new volunteers will start with basic shelter needs as outlined in the New Volunteer Job Booklet. Basic Needs cover the essential things that help our shelter run smoothly such as laundry, dishes, puppy care, and more. New volunteers will become comfortable and oriented with the shelter, staff, and fellow volunteers. Volunteer opportunities are available 7 days a week.
Dog Walking
Our dogs are always in need of care, exercise, and enrichment to best prepare them for finding homes! After completing 16 hours of basic shelter needs volunteers will have the opportunity to take our Introduction to Shelter Dog Walking class where volunteers will learn the proper protocol for walking dogs in the shelter. Once trained, dog walking opportunities are available 7 days a week.
Cat Socializing
Our cats are always in need of care, enrichment, and, of course, love! After completing 16 hours of basic shelter needs volunteers will have the opportunity to take our Introduction to Feline Socialization class where they will learn the proper protocol for socializing cats in the shelter. Once trained, Feline Socialization opportunities are available 7 days a week.
Welcome Desk
Volunteers at our welcome desk and adoption desk are the face of the MCSPCA. These volunteers greet and direct visitors as well as take calls and messages. Regular volunteers are needed, especially on the weekends during our busiest times.
Adoption Counselors
These volunteers have the job of approving adoptions for one of our homeless animals and giving them a new start in a loving home.It is a set schedule. Detailed training is required along with a commitment of 6 months. You must also work with the animals to become familiar with them for talking with potential adopters.
Thrift Store
Our thrift store sells gently used items at a reduced price, and all profits from the store go directly back to running the shelter. Volunteers help sort, hang, price, and market donations.
Foster Program
Some of our animals need a more comfortable environment for socialization or destressing, or may be too young to be put up for adoption. These animals are placed into our foster program until they are adopted from their foster homes or come back to the MCSPCA. We greatly appreciate the help of our foster families to help our animals be better prepared for finding their forever homes (You don’t have to be a MCSPCA Volunteer to foster! Click here for more information).
Fundraising, Events, & Outreaches
The MCSPCA is a 501C3 nonprofit. Fundraising is an essential part of the shelter. Volunteers have the opportunity to assist the Development department with envelope stuffing, soliciting donations, helping at outreach events, including joining our Community Crew team. We are always open to hearing your fundraising ideas!
Transports
Volunteers help transport injured wildlife to local rehabbers. They also help transporting shelter animals to local vets who donate their services as needed.
Pet Pantry
Pet Pantry volunteers help sort and shelve animal food and supplies donated to the shelter. Volunteers also help put together food that is donated to local community outreach programs.
Volunteer FAQ’s
I’m under 18 years old, how can I help?
Although the nature of our volunteer work does not allow for those under 18 to volunteer, we always encourage interested individuals to check out our Junior Volunteer Guide! Hosting fundraisers and donation drives outside of the shelter an in our communities is a great way to support our shelter and our animals!
What are the volunteer hours?
Our volunteers are typically at the shelter between the hours of 8AM-6PM, 7 days a week. New volunteers may only volunteer between 8AM-4PM until they are properly trained to help out in other areas of the shelter.
I have experience working with animals, can I accelerate the volunteer process?
All of our volunteer must go through the same orientation process, no exceptions. This is for the safety of our volunteers, staff, and of course, our animals.
I’ve had a background check completed, do I still need to pay for one?
Yes, you will still need to complete a background check to volunteer with us. Only background checks completed by the MCSPCA are accepted and they must have been completed within the last 6 months.
I need to complete a service requirement, what can I do?
We ask that all volunteers commit to at least 6 months of volunteer work with at least 8 hours of service each month because of the level of training involved in our volunteer program, which typically does not fit the time schedule of a service requirement. We encourage hosting a fundraiser or donation drive to acquire service hours, more information can be found about that here!
I am not able to volunteer independently, can I still volunteer?
Unfortunately, do to the nature of our work all volunteers must be able to volunteer independently. We have limited resources, staff, and space which requires all volunteers to be able to complete their work on their own.
I previously volunteered for the MCSPCA and want to get started again, how can I?
Please email the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] for more information on this. Please include your full name, when you went through orientation, and how long it has been since you volunteered.
I don’t have a computer at home or access to an email address. Can I still volunteer?
We rely on emails and an online volunteer software to communicate with all of our volunteers, track volunteer hours, and have our volunteers sign up for different opportunities. Because of this, all volunteers must have easy access to a computer and email address.
