Why Volunteer | Program Goals | Requirements | Contact Us
| Volunteer Application | Volunteer Newsletter

Note for those interested in volunteering:
We are currently re-vamping the Volunteer Orientation program, which is a requirment for volunterring with RCDAS. We are proud to announce our new Program Manager for Volunteer Services, Candace McGrew.
We should be up and running no later than May 2008. Please continue to review the information we've provided here and submit your application. You will be called back for orientation in the order that your application was received.

The Department of Animal Services provides animal care services for the unincorporated portions of Riverside County and has contracts with a number of cities: Riverside, Hemet, San Jacinto, Calimesa, Coachella, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and Banning.

We accomplish this task with highly trained motivated staff and volunteers at our three animal care facilities in Riverside, Thousand Palms and Banning.

The Volunteer Services Program Branch consists of a Volunteer Coordinator at the above three locations, a county wide Animal Foster Care Coordinator, and the Volunteer Services Program Manager. Together, this team will cultivate anyone who wants to volunteer.

Why Volunteer?
• Meet new people with similar interests
• Acquire work experience for future endeavors
• The personal satisfaction of community service
• Develop new skills while exploring the field of animal care

We are looking for individuals who enjoy working with animals and would like to help the animals at our shelters. At your orientation, we will give you an overview of our services and philosophies, and will give you details regarding expectations involved with each position.

Because you care, you can be part of making the shelter animals stay at Riverside County Department of Animal Services more comfortable while having fun. You can have hands on with the animals or help with clerical staff. You can work at special events, meet new people, discover that you have talents you never knew about and who knows, maybe find the perfect new pet for your home. Most importantly, volunteering will make life brighter for pets in our shelters!
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services Mission Statement is:

“Working together to improve Riverside County for its people and animals.”

Volunteer Program Goals
• Provide opportunities for volunteers to enhance the welfare of shelter animals
• Assist in offsite adoption events
• Continue to educate the public as to welfare and care of animals
• Groom animals to aid in their adoptions
• Utilize animal foster homes to give the younger or injured animals a home and family to live with while they grow old enough to adopt or recuperate from an injury

Requirements
There are a number of volunteer opportunities that you can participate in. But first, see the five steps to becoming a volunteer:

1. Be at least 18 years old
2. Attend a two hour Volunteer Orientation and Dog Behavior Class
   
3. Attend training classes based on your area of interest
4. Donate a minimum of 4 hours per month for the animals
5. Make a huge difference in the lives of shelter pets!

There may be specialized training involved, but everyone must go through a one hour Volunteer Orientation that will be held twice monthly on dates and times to come

Contact Us
Please call one of the numbers listed below, based on your location, to find out more about volunteering for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

Riverside area
Volunteering - (951) 358-7467
Fostering     - (951) 358-7042

Desert area
Volunteering - (760) 343-4430
Fostering     - (760) 343-3644

Volunteer Application

If you are interested in helping the animals and joining the animal services team, please contact one of the individuals listed above to set up an appointment, fill out our Volunteer Application, and bring it with you to the appointment. We look forward to meeting you!

Thank you for your interest in our Volunteer Programs.