Escondido Humane Society: Volunteer opportunities at the Escondido Humane Society

Our dedicated group of volunteers helps animals hands-on, from animal care and community outreach to foster care and events. There are a variety of opportunities available, and volunteering can work around your schedule and talents. There are many more volunteer opportunities available that aren't listed here. If you are interested in learning more about our opportunities, or if you would like to join our volunteer team, contact Mary Ellen, director of volunteer services, at (760) 888-2270 or volunteer@escondidohumanesociety.org.

Volunteers walk dogs, cuddle cats and rabbits, and help with socializing, cleaning, feeding and other care. Anyone interested in working with our animals must first attend a volunteer orientation and go through training for their chosen task. Volunteers between the ages of 13 and 16 can volunteer for events and reading therapy only.

Our foster families provide life-changing support for our special needs companion animals. We provide the veterinary care, behavioral support, foster training, and anything else our animal may need - you provide the safe, caring home environment. We are actively recruiting temporary foster homes.

Mobile adoption volunteers take our dogs into the community. If you like to interact with the public and want to help promote our animals and the shelter, adoption outreach might be perfect for you! Dog walker training is required for mobile adoption volunteers.

We are currently recruiting volunteers to help us in our Adoptions Center on the weekends. Greeters meet the public when they enter the center, answer any questions potential adopters have, and direct them to the proper location.

We are currently recruiting volunteers to help us care for animals at our off-site locations. Our adoptable cats are at PetSmart, Kahoots and Petco in Escondido and Petco in San Marcos, and our adoptable bunnies are available for adoption at the Escondido, Poway, Carmel Mountain and San Marcos Petco stores. There is a special need for volunteers at PetSmart and Petco in Escondido on Sundays and Mondays.

Education department volunteers help with a variety of duties, including birthday parties, pet therapy, classroom visits, tours, and camps. A commitment of at least six months is required. Volunteers must be comfortable with a wide assortment of animals and enjoy working with children and adults.

Volunteers in our reading therapy program read to animals in a monotone voice to help relieve stress and keep animals calm. Reading is especially good for stray animals because a lot of them aren’t used to human interaction and it helps them feel more comfortable and less stressed.

Volunteers in our Cat Behavior Team (cbet) work with cats who need a little more socialization. They use careful, slow interactions to help cats come out of their shells. All volunteers in the cbet program must go through training first.

Our Early Morning Program (EMP) was started and is run by volunteers. Volunteers in the EMP program get the dogs out early in the morning for some fresh air and exercise before the afternoon walkers come later in the day.

Our nite walk program is from 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Nite walk volunteers take the dogs out for one last pit stop before they are tucked in for the night. It is the perfect opportunity for people who want to volunteer after work. We are actively recruiting volunteers to join the program.

Get some supervisory experience and take care of the dogs at the same time. You will be supervising 10 to 12 dog walkers. Time commitment is one morning a week for 4.5 hours or one evening a week for 3. 5 hours. Qualifications: Great with people; medical background or participated in dog training class; must attend a dog-handling class.

Make a difference for animals in need by participating in our veterinary student externship. You will participate in all functions of our veterinary department, including intake and exit exams and procedures, examns on medical and surgical patients, medical treatment planning and administration, and much more.

Escondido Humane Society | 3450 East Valley Parkway, Escondido CA 92027 | (760) 888 - BARK / (760) 888-2275

Adoption Center open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week; Animal Control open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week