Our organization could not exist without volunteers. As a private, nonprofit organization, we rely on the assistance of caring and hard-working volunteers in all of our programs. Volunteers who work directly with the animals can increase an animal’s chances of adoption by providing additional human contact. Volunteers also help us inform the community of the aims and objectives of APA! and promote responsible pet ownership.
The future of APA! lies largely with its volunteers. We are all working for the animals.
Volunteering with Austin Pets Alive! can be as simple and easy as standing under a tent for two hours at some of Austin’s coolest hang-outs.
Volunteers are required to:
- submit an on-line application,which includes signing a Volunteer Agreement and a Release and Waiver of Liability form
- attend an orientation session
- join an APA! Yahoo! Group
- be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian if under the age of 18
- attend additional training sessions as required by APA!
- possess a valid Texas driver’s license, if driving an APA! vehicle for animal transport
- treat animals in our care with kindness and concern for their welfare
- represent themselves and APA! in a professional manner and treat clients with respect
Please complete and return our Volunteer Application. Once you submit your application, you will be automatically emailed an invitation to sign up for an orientation. Thank you again for your interest!
Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering
What can I do as an Austin Pets Alive! volunteer?
How do I become an APA! volunteer?
I’m having problems with the volunteer application.
I completed the online application, now what?
I don’t see any orientation sessions listed on the orientation sign-up link, what do I do?
Can I attend the next orientation session, even though I’m registered for a later one?
How long is orientation?
Is there anything I can do to volunteer with APA! before I attend an orientation?
I attended an orientation, now what?
I’m under 18, can I volunteer?
I want to take a dog for a walk/run on the Lady Bird Lake Trail, do I need to be trained to do that?
I need to fulfill community service hours, what should I do?
My group would like to set up a service day, do we need to attend an orientation?
What can I do as an Austin Pets Alive! volunteer?
Volunteer opportunities are constantly changing as we grow and develop new programs. Below is an alphabetical listing of current opportunities, but you will get more details and learn about the latest needs and options when you attend orientation.
Adoption
Assist adoption staff at APA! facilities and offsite locations by answering questions from the public and facilitating introductions between potential adopters and our animals. Follow up with clients after adoption to check in and answer any questions or concerns.
Behavior
Work with our highest need dogs on manners, socialization, and basic obedience to make them more adoptable. Dog Behavior volunteers are eligible to take dogs on field trips and participate in training opportunities like TTouch and Doga.
Construction
Help with various construction projects around the resource center. Carpentry work, plumbing, electrical work, etc!
Data Entry/Office Work
Enter data to keep our processes running smoothly.
Events
Promote APA!’s mission and recruit volunteers, fosters, adopters, and donors at special events around town. Work at info tables and booths, and hang out with adoptable animals while representing Austin Pets Alive!.
Foster, Foster Coordination
Provide temporary care for cats or dogs in your home until they can be adopted. You must be the owner/renter of home and fill out a Foster Care Volunteer Application. See our Foster page for more information.
You can also assist in this effort by becoming a Foster Coordinator. Foster Coordinators coordinate between different departments to keep our foster program running smoothly.
Fundraising
Our organization is completely dependent on donations. This committee assists in finding individual and business sponsors; researching and writing grants; overseeing donor recognition; develop and assist with fundraising events.
Intake Coordination
Work with Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) to determine which animals to bring into program based upon available space, coordinate incoming animals with Foster Coordinator, input new animal info into database, arrange/provide for transport to foster home. Qualifications: Computer skills/internet access, highly organized, ability to remain level headed when faced with emotional decisions.
Love-on-a-Leash Team (dog walking and dog needs)
Come help the LOL team walk our building dogs and ensure they get the exercise and TLC they need every day. Shifts are from 7-9am and 8-10pm. For more information, contact the LOL team leaders at email hidden; JavaScript is required to sign up now.
Medical Coordination
Assist in clinic areas like reception and recovery; ensure pets are up to date on all medical requirements prior to attending adoption events; ensure medical information is in database; help fosters with medical questions; coordinate medical needs with veterinarians.
Neonatal Ward
Feed and care for bottle baby kittens (and occasionally puppies) in the on-site neonatal ward. Ensure sanitation of ward, all equipment, and supplies. Shifts available around the clock; volunteers must be able to commit to regular shifts during kitten season.
PASS Helpline
Answer calls from public one day a week to help them rehome their pet instead of taking it to Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC).
Photography
Take and post digital photos of shelter and foster animals for marketing materials. Experience and DSLR camera strongly preferred.
Marketing/PR/Graphic Design
Help educate the public about APA! and our mission. Seek out public speaking opportunities; presentations at local fairs, farmers’ markets and other events; distribute PR materials at events and local businesses. Create a variety of promotional materials including brochures, ads, posters and flyers.
Transport
Transport dogs from TLAC and other locations to adoption sites and back via your own vehicle.
Volunteer Coordination
Assist in all aspects of recruiting, orienting, determining placement of, and coordinating volunteers for APA! departments.
Website/Other Tech Support
Design or program our website, support our databases, provide media/tech support for conferences, new facilities, etc.
Writing/Editing
Write a variety of different marketing materials; create animal biographies; edit publications like the No -Kill Handbill.
How do I become an APA! volunteer?
The first step to becoming a volunteer is to fill out our online Volunteer Application. Once you have completed the application, you will receive an email prompting you to sign up for a Volunteer Orientation. At the orientation session you will learn about our organization and all of the various ways to get involved.
I’m having problems with the volunteer application. How can I get help?
A common reason that an application fails to submit is required fields left blank.. All items with a red asterisk must be completed.. Also, each application must have a unique email address, so duplicate applications from the same email address (shared by family members, for example) will not submit.
The email inviting you to orientation is the verification that we received your application, but if you don’t receive the email that doesn’t mean the application wasn’t received. In most cases, if you don’t find the email in your regular inbox, it will be in your spam filter or junk mail folder because your email settings are not allowing email from Austin Pets Alive.
If you continue to have problems submitting your application or finding the email about orientation, please let us know by emailing email hidden; JavaScript is required.
I completed the online application, now what?
Shortly after submitting the online application, you will receive an email from us prompting you to sign up for volunteer orientation. You will see a drop-down menu, where you will find your name listed alphabetically by first name. Select your name, then use the drop-down menu to select an upcoming session.
We usually hold two orientations per month, one on a weekend morning and one on a weekday evening. All sessions are held at APA @ TLAC (Town Lake Animal Center, 1156 W. Cesar Chavez).
I don’t see any orientation sessions listed on the orientation sign-up link, what do I do?
Only sessions that are not already full are listed on the sign-up link. We’re always adding new dates, so keep checking back on the link.
Can I attend the next orientation session, even though I’m registered for a later one?
The next scheduled session is always shown on this webpage, even if it is full. If you want to attend a session that is full, you may come and see if space is available after all registered participants have been seated; however, be aware that we often have standing room only.
How long is orientation?
The entire program typically lasts two to two and a half hours. Approximately the last half-hour is devoted to separate trainings for dog walking and cat care so you can get started right after orientation if you want to work in those areas.
Is there anything I can do to volunteer with APA! before I attend an orientation?
Yes! Individuals can walk dogs at our headquarters location, 2807 Manchaca Rd. 7-9 am and 8-10 pm, or at TLAC 8-10 am and 6-9 pm. You may also assist in caring for cats 11 am-7 pm at Manchaca or 11:30 am-7 pm at TLAC.
When arriving at either of our facilities to volunteer, always check in with an adoption counselor or shift lead and let them know that you have completed an application but have not yet attended orientation. They will get you started. You will be limited in which dogs you can walk until you’ve had further training.
I attended an orientation, now what?
During orientation, you will complete a form indicating areas in which you’d like to volunteer. Afterwards, we transmit new volunteer information to the various team leaders and they should contact you within a week to ten days to follow up and get you started. You will also be contacted by a volunteer matchmaker who can help you get in touch with team leaders of interest or otherwise assist you in getting started volunteering. At any time, whether a week or a year after orientation, you may email email hidden; JavaScript is required for information, direction, or other assistance related to APA! volunteering.
I’m under 18, can I volunteer?
Volunteers under 18 are welcome to volunteer when accompanied by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must also register to volunteer by filling out the online application and attending an orientation session. We consider supervising adults to be volunteers as well.
Dog volunteering: Volunteers must be at least 16 years (and have a parent or guardian present) in order to handle a dog and control the leash.
Neonatal ward: Volunteers under age 13 are not allowed to volunteer in the nursery, and must be at least 16 years to bottle feed with a trained adult.
I want to take a dog for a walk/run on the Lady Bird Lake Trail, do I need to be trained to do that?
Yes, you need to complete some training in order to take APA! dogs off-site to the Lady Bird Lake Trail. there are two options:
- Jog-a-Dog: You do not need to be an existing APA! volunteer to participate in this program. Attend a one-time training session to get approved for walking/running APA! dogs on the trail.
- Dog Behavior Program: Volunteers that have attended an APA! orientation session can join our Dog Behavior Team to learn dog handling, socialization, and basic training skills. Trained Dog Behavior volunteers can take approved dogs out on field trips, including (but not limited to!) the trail.
I need to fulfill community service hours, what should I do?
If you are seeking community service hours for school, an organization, or personal pleasure, please follow the steps above for How do I become an APA! volunteer?. You will be in charge of any documentation, including tracking your volunteer hours on your own time sheet. You may request than an APA! supervisor initial your time sheet each time you volunteer. If you require other documentation of your volunteer hours including APA! letterhead, please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required before beginning your service.
If you are seeking court-ordered community service hours, please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required.
My group would like to set up a service day, do we need to attend an orientation?
Groups interested in one-time or short-term projects do not need to attend an orientation session. Based on the age, size, and availability of the group, we can arrange an appropriate activity for you. Please email email hidden; JavaScript is required and include the name of your organization, number of volunteers, and whether anyone in your group is under 18.
