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Thank you for your interest!
There are many ways to work with homeless pets, assist with their care and be a part of programs that make our community a kinder place for pets and people. We provide training so that volunteers can safely and efficiently assist shelter staff and help the animals in our care.
Age Requirements:
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Volunteers 12-15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/guardian over the age of 21. For more information regarding volunteering under the age of 16, contact our Volunteer Coordinator using the form below. Please note that the youth and the parent/ guardian must both register for an orientation.
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Youth 16+ may volunteer independently at the shelter without a parent or guardian.
Orientation
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The first step is to attend orientation, please sign up via the links below and join us to learn more about how you can be a part of the amazing work that happens here.
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Corporate group projects can be accommodated on a case-by-case basis, please contact us using the form below to discuss the details and timing of your group visit to the shelter.
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Students who are working on school projects or in need of volunteer hours are welcome to submit requests below, we try to accommodate as many as we can. The more notice you give us, the greater chance we can make something work!
Upcoming Volunteer Orientations
DECEMBER 15 - click here to register
JANUARY 5 - click here to register
NOTE: You must pre-register for volunteer orientations. Please inquire below if you are interested in attending an orientation and we do not have a date available that works for you, or if you have other questions.
Contact Our Volunteer Coordinator - - -
Cat and Small Animal Teams
Volunteers for this team clean, feed and care for cats and various small animals. After animals are cleaned and fed, volunteers take time to socialize with the animals. Socialization is very important to allow the animals to feel more comfortable with people in the shelter environment.
Cat & Small Animal Team volunteers are required to review training materials/videos and complete personal training sessions with a mentor.
Cat Care and Small Animal Care shifts are scheduled daily 8:00-10:00am
Cat Socialization and Small Animal Socialization shifts are scheduled Tuesday-Saturday 11am-1pm.
Age requirement: 12+
Dog Enrichment Team
Volunteers work with shelter dogs to provide social time and basic training skills, giving shelter dogs a chance to enjoy time outside of their kennel, decompress and engage in human interaction. Volunteers may also work on basic training skills to help increase their adoptability. Only positive reinforcement training methods are used.
Dog enrichment volunteers are required to complete a dog training orientation and two personal training sessions with a mentor.
Dog Enrichment shifts are two hours long and scheduled daily between 8:30am - 5:00pm
Age requirement: 12+
Special Events Team
We encourage volunteers with past events experience to assist in this aspect of our organization. Volunteers who participate in special events should be customer service oriented, familiar with Pope Memorial SPCA’s mission and the scope of services we provide. Volunteers attend offsite adoption events and help with fundraisers throughout the year.
Special events are typically held on weekends at various times throughout the year.
Age requirement: 16+
Pet Therapy Team
Volunteers and animals enrich the lives of many people who are unable to have a pet, through either hospitalization or housing restrictions. Our pet therapy teams visit hospitals, nursing homes and retirement centers to bring the joy and healing effects of pet companionship.
Pet Therapy visits are scheduled Monday-Friday at various times, dictated by the facility requesting a visit.
Age Requirement: 12+
Foster Care
Foster homes make it possible for Pope Memorial SPCA to care, socialize and re-home many more animals than would be possible otherwise.
Foster homes are called upon most often to foster pregnant cats, cats with nursing kittens, orphaned kittens or kittens that are weaned but still too young to be placed for adoption.
Dogs requiring temporary medical care, whether daily medications or to recover from surgery, are often placed in foster homes.
Fosters are called on an as need basis.
Click here to learn more and apply!
Age requirement: 18+
Humane Education Team
Our humane education goal is to develop fun, informative and engaging programs for youth. We offer interactive educational experiences for groups interested in learning about animal welfare. Presentations are offered in Merrimack County to schools, after-school programs, troops, recreation centers, summer camps, libraries, faith-based organizations, senior citizen centers, community organizations, businesses and more. These programs can easily be integrated into a classroom curriculum. Our programs often partner with a canine, feline and/or small animal companion along with staff and volunteers.
Another Humane Education program is our “Paws to Read” late afternoon sessions, where children read to animals at the SPCA.
Humane education events are scheduled Monday - Saturday
Age requirement: 16+
Dog Park Team/Facility and Grounds
Volunteers assist with general maintenance of the SPCA property or Concord Dog Park located on Old Turnpike Road. Tasks include; mowing, weed whacking, and light brush removal. Trash pickup is also needed, and bags can be disposed of in our dumpster.
Age requirement: 16+