Volunteering at Dallas Animal Services
How to sign up
Dallas Animal Services volunteers are a big part of the #Dallas90 family — helping us to increase the number of lives we save, improve the quality of life of the animals in our shelter, and support our community in becoming home to the nation’s best pet owners.
There are many ways to get involved as a volunteer with DAS and we need each one of our hundreds of volunteers to help us #BeDallas90.
We would love to have you join our team! Here is the process for becoming a D90 Volunteer:
- Fill out a volunteer application.
- Attend one of our virtual volunteer information sessions.
- Watch our Volunteer Orientation videos (links provided after your information session).
- Attend an in-person Welcome Tour.
Group volunteer projects include:
- Reading to pets
- Beautification/organization projects
- Outdoor/Landscaping projects
- Phone Fur-tography
Your group can also bring much-needed donations to the shelter for the animals. Common donations that we can always use at DAS include towels, blankets, soft treats, and newspaper. You can also view our shelter wish list for all ongoing needs.
If you are interested in applying for a group volunteer opportunity, click the link here to fill out an application. If you have any questions about group volunteering opportunities, email DASVolunteer@dallas.gov.
Volunteers ages 5 – 12 can participate in non-animal handling opportunities with a parent or legal guardian. We require a ratio of 1:1 for supervision of minor volunteers.
Volunteers ages 13 – 15 can volunteer in animal handling opportunities with a parent or legal guardian. We require a ratio of 1:1 for supervision of minor volunteers
Volunteers ages 16 – 17 can volunteer in animal handling opportunities alone after a parent or legal guardian accompanies them to the initial training sessions.
Learn more about being a D90 Volunteer by reading through our Volunteer Handbook.
Individuals needing to complete volunteer hours mandated by a court can do so at Dallas Animal Services. Service hours are limited to approved offenders. To get started, please first create an account and fill out our online application.
Please be sure to include a summary of your offense on your application. We cannot move forward with your application without this.
After we have received your application, you will be contacted for your next steps.
Court Ordered Community Service Tasks include:
Washing Dishes
Doing Laundry
Shelter Cleaning & Maintenance
Support in Other Volunteer Areas as Needed
Community service roles do not involve animal handling.
PLEASE NOTE:
You will NOT be allowed to do your community service hours with Dallas Animal Services if your offense is any of the following: theft, burglary, domestic violence or abuse, cruelty or assault toward humans or animals, arson, any sex-related offense, manslaughter/murder, stalking, kidnapping, any felony, or any other offense at management’s discretion. All offense information will be verified prior to approval.
Questions? Email DASvolunteer@dallas.gov.
- Dog walking
- Weekend group dog-walking
- Dog playgroups
- Dog socialization
- Cat socialization
- Cleaning
- Photography
- Events
- Outreach
- Pet support
- Customer service
- Adoptions assistance
- Veterinary assistance
- Kitten nursery assistance
Core responsibilities:
- Check in with volunteer coordinator to receive the list of eligible dogs.
- Ensure the dog is fed prior to leaving the shelter.
- Take and submit photos of the dog off-site for use on their online profile.
- Take and submit behavior observations to be used when promoting the dog and counseling potential adopters, fosters, and rescue organizations.
- Ensure the Doggy Daycation kit is fully stocked with supplies
- Practice safe animal handling
Requirements:
- Completion of a Virtual New Volunteer Info Session (if onboarded after March 2023), New Volunteer Video Orientation (online), and Welcome Tour.
- Completion of a foster agreement & general release waiver.
- Ability to clock in and out using the My Impact App
- Must be able to provide a clean & safe environment for the dog.
- Knowledge of Dallas Animal Services policies and protocols, such as, but not limited to, adoptions, fostering, and safe animal handling.
- Ability to represent Dallas Animal Services in a professional manner in all situations with the public, volunteers, and staff.
- Ability to create and sustain positive working relationships within the Dallas Animal Services, with volunteers, the public, and be a team player.
- Ability to learn and quickly adapt to changes in programs and procedures.
Doggy Daycations are scheduled in My Impact from 10:30 AM – 5 PM, but we can be flexible on the times. Let us know a few days in advance so we can plan ahead!
FAQ's
No! Our staff will go over all the training you’ll need to successfully accomplish the opportunity you select.
Of course! We even have a few “remote” volunteer opportunities that can be completed from the comforts of your own home. You can see our full list of volunteer opportunities on our Volunteer Opportunities page.
Yes, existing fosters should email DASVolunteer@dallas.gov to become a volunteer. We will send you instructions on how to update your my Impact account to get started as a volunteer. It’s also easy for existing volunteers to become fosters by
emailing DASFoster@dallas.gov.
No, all volunteers need to go through our species-specific animal handling course before interacting with our pets. Many of our volunteers bring years of experience and animal expertise to our program, but it’s important that all volunteers go through the same training in order to learn DAS policies, procedures, and our preferred animal handling techniques.
Yes, we have roles ranging from customer service to animal marketing to enrichment and behavior, which will allow you to have a positive impact on our mission and our pets without direct interaction. Check out our Volunteer Opportunities page or email DASVolunteer@dallas.gov for help finding the perfect position for you!
Welcome back! Please email DASVolunteer@dallas.gov to have your volunteer account reinstated. Depending on how long you’ve been away, we may ask you retake our Volunteer Orientation and animal handling training.
Yes, you are welcome to complete service hours for school, church, or other organizations with DAS. If you need your hours verified, please contact DASVolunteer@dallas.gov.
We are only able to verify hours that were completed as part of official DAS activities. Please also remember that volunteers are required to volunteer at least 4 hours per month for a period of 6 months.
Have another question? Email our volunteer team at DASVolunteer@dallas.gov with any additional questions you might have about volunteering with DAS.
