Make a Difference in a Pet’s Life!

Volunteering is a rewarding way to help pets at the Big Bear and Devore Animal Shelters. By walking dogs, socializing cats, or lending a hand at adoption events, you’ll have a direct impact on their journey to finding their forever homes. Volunteering gives you flexibility and purpose with just a minimum commitment of 10 hours per month.

Join Our Pack of Volunteers!

Enjoy cuddles, furry friends, and the joy of making a difference in shelter pets’ lives. Plus, you’ll earn a free paw-some t-shirt! Want to become part of the team?

  1. Fill out a quick application — we’ll guide you every step of the way.
  2. Be at least 18 years old and provide a valid form of identification.
  3. Commit to a minimum of 10 volunteer hours per month.
  4. Complete an interview with our volunteer coordinator.
  5. Pass a background check and wellness exam.
  6. Attend orientation — then your volunteer journey begins!

Ways You Can Help

  • Animal Care Mobile Services
    • Set up for success: Help with event setup.
    • Support smooth operations: Coordinate the flow of pets and visitors during Animal Care Mobile Services events.
    • Be a welcoming presence: Greet adopters and visitors, answer questions, and guide them where they need to go.
  • General Outreach
    • Engage with the community: Attend adoption and outreach events to connect with pet lovers.
    • Help events run smoothly: Assist with setup and teardown, including tables, signage, and materials.
  • Keep pets comfortable and healthy: Clean kennels and cat cages, refresh bedding and toys, and maintain litter boxes.
  • Make sure no bowl is empty: Refill water bowls.
  • Keep the shelter sparkling: Sweep, mop, and sanitize shared spaces for a safe environment.
  • Stay organized: Help arrange and tidy storage areas for quick access to supplies.
  • Pitch in on upkeep: Wipe surfaces, take out trash, and keep windows shining.
  • Support the team: Restock food, litter, and cleaning materials so staff and volunteers never run out.
  • Be a watchful friend: Report any signs of illness, injury, or unusual behavior to staff right away.
  • Comfort and calm pets: Sit quietly and read with shy or nervous dogs to help them feel safe.
  • Encourage positive behavior: Use treats to reward calm behavior and good kennel manners.
  • Go on enriching outings: Take adoptable pets on short “Wagging Walks” to stimulate their minds and bodies.
  • Support basic training: Help pets practice commands like sit, down, and focus.
  • Manage enrichment supplies: Collect, clean, and refill toys and items like Kongs, Frisbees, or other interactive tools.
  • Distribute fun and treats: Hand out enrichment toys and snacks to engage pets throughout the day.
  • Assist with grooming: Help with basic grooming to keep adoptable pets looking and feeling their best.
  • Track Pet Well-Being: Notify the appropriate staff of any emotional, behavioral, or medical observations made during enrichment activities.
  • Educate the public: Share information about responsible pet ownership.
  • Support Telling Tails reading sessions:
    • Set up chairs, mats, and sign-in materials for participants.
    • Welcome and assist participants during reading time.
    • Gather books and help clean up after the session.
  • Spotlight adoptable pets: Take photos and videos to showcase their personalities on social media and in promotions.
  • Bring stories to life: Edit images and videos, and write engaging bios or captions that help pets stand out.
  • Capture special moments: Document daily shelter life, staff interactions, and community events.
  • Design eye-catching materials: Help create posters, flyers, banners, and graphics to promote adoptions and programs.
  • Share powerful stories: Assist with digital storytelling projects that connect pets with loving homes faster.
  • Keep rescue records organized: Scan and file documents.
  • Help pets shine online: Make sure rescued animals’ digital profiles are accurate and up to date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Devore Animal Shelter
19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino, CA 92407

Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

We encourage you to explore our Animal Care website to learn more about our programs and service areas.

For additional guidance and insights, check out these helpful resources:

Yes! We provide hour-verification certificates for academic programs. Please remember to sign in and sign out for each volunteer shift so we can accurately track your hours.

We can keep your completed application on hold for up to one year. If more than a year passes, you’ll need to reapply, including the interview and background check process.

Absolutely! We accommodate volunteers of all abilities and encourage you to sign up. We’ll work with you to find an opportunity that matches your strengths.

Yes! The Animals aRe First Fund (ARFF) supports free or low-cost adoptions, spay/neutering, microchipping, and more.

To donate, please visit: Animals aRe First Fund

We love having visitors of all ages at our shelters! While our volunteer program is currently open only to individuals 18 and older, we encourage you to check back in the future for opportunities to get involved.