Happy little chihuahua

We need your help!

Volunteers are the heart of our organization and essential to our work. Each year our volunteers give a collective 10,000+ hours both in-shelter and out-of-shelter. Our staff and volunteers partner together to form a vital team that’s essential to carrying out our mission to promote the health, care, and adoption of these animals. There are many important roles that you can fill to help animals in need. For safety’s sake, all volunteers need to be 18 or older.

Main Volunteer Opportunities

puppy-sits-diapers-paper-napkins-odor-remover

Cleaning/Organizing opportunities

Calling all those who love to organize! Our Cleaning volunteers are absolutely essential to the daily running of the operation. From helping with laundry and dishes to organizing food, toys, and more you can ensure a clean and nurturing environment and make a positive impact on so many animals.

CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS

Help is needed:
Saturday 3 pm - 5 pm
Saturday 5 pm - 7 pm
Sunday 12 pm - 2 pm
Tuesday 3 pm - 5 pm
Wednesday 2 pm - 4 pm
Friday 2 pm -4 pm

Please Note: Shelter Cleaning does
not involve working with the animals

cute labrador retriever dog car

Animal Transport opportunities

Calling all those who love to drive! Due to the fact that we have limited in-shelter medical capabilities, we are very dependent on our off-site vet partners for surgeries, diagnostics and more. Our animal transport volunteers ensure we can get our animals to these critical appointments. There is no minimum number of transports – even an occasional transport is greatly appreciated – we need as many people as possible!

young couple walking with-dog-street-man-woman-happy-together with husky breed

Dog Care opportunities

Our Dog Care volunteers are a critical part of our team. From walks in the woods and playtime in our large back pen to just sitting with a dog or building enrichment, like Kongs and Lickimats, our Dog Care volunteers help enrich the lives of the dogs in our care and make their stay as positive as possible.

Please Note: Our current need is for volunteers with dog experience - previous animal welfare experience, work in the animal field, positive-reinforcement training experience, experience training own dogs, etc.

Baypath Humane Society cat cleaning

Cat Care opportunities

Our Cat Care volunteers are essential to the daily care and enrichment of the cats and kittens in shelter. From cleaning their spaces and monitoring their well being to socializing a new cat or playing with kittens in our cat rooms, our Cat Care volunteers ensure a healthy and stimulating environment for our cats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM
FROM A LONGTIME VOLUNTEER

More Volunteer Opportunities

Administrative
We can always use help with some of the not-so-exciting-but-absolutely-essential things like scanning, copying, spreadsheet creation, etc. *These roles are currently filled. Please check back!
Fostering animals
Fostering is a wonderful way to make an impact and ultimately improve the likelihood of successful outcomes for so many animals.
Signature Events
Our Signature Events throughout the year are critical fundraisers for the animals. Consider helping out on the committees or with day-of activities to help ensure these events are a success.
Outreach events
Constantly increasing awareness of our role as a community resource is imperative. This is a fun way to get the word out via town events, farmers events, animal events, etc.
Photography & Videography
Are you passionate about animal welfare and photography? Do you have experience working with animals? Baypath is looking for a volunteer photographer to help capture our adoptable dogs and cats at the shelter. These photos will be used to showcase the animals' personalities and unique characteristics, to help find their forever homes.
Group opportunities
We have many groups and businesses join us for shelter beautification or special projects.
Social media/graphic design/marketing
Social media and media communications are absolutely essential to our mission. We are always looking for creative ways to get the word out and increase awareness. *These roles are currently filled. Please check back!
VCA spay & neuter clinic assistants
This hands-on monthly clinic is a great opportunity for anyone with a veterinary-related background or anyone looking to pursue one.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A comprehensive orientation focused on safe animal handling.
  • A cat/dog mentor program with fellow volunteers.
  • Additional training opportunities on topics such as clicker training (for dogs and even cats!) or helping fearful dogs.
  • Books and articles on animal sheltering developments.
  • Social media engagement to recognize volunteers and share successes.
  • Confidential volunteer surveys.
  • A bi-weekly newsletter.
  • Volunteer appreciation events.

To provide consistency for the handling of our dogs and cats, we require a commitment of two hours per week for at least six months. Volunteer shifts are scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in two-hour increments. Volunteers work every day of the year, in all weather conditions. Please understand this is an expectation of your commitment.

It depends on the role. Please review the various roles about. Each one indicates how to learn more information or apply.

Prior dog or cat experience is not required to volunteer, but it is beneficial. Please see our essential capabilities document for more information.

Our volunteer opportunities require moderate physical exercise, so please be sure you understand and are comfortable with the physical aspects of the role in which you are interested. Please see our essential capabilities document for more information.

REAL IMPACT, MEASURABLE RESULTS

10,742

Volunteer Hours in 2022

133

Active Volunteers in 2022