I Want to Volunteer

Volunteer with Cats

Help enrich and save cats’ lives at your city shelter as a cat volunteer!

Getting started to volunteer with our cats is an easy two-step process:

    1. Become a Level 1 (no animal handling) volunteer by first watching our Online Volunteer Orientation Video here and next completing our Online Volunteer Application.
    2. After you’re approved as a Level 1 Volunteer, you will gain access to sign up for a Level 2 Cat Handling Course. These are offered one Saturday and one Sunday afternoon most months.

Enrichment and Support

Ensure MAS cats and kittens get the TLC they need (and deserve) every day. Cattery care volunteers sign up for bi-weekly shifts between 2pm–4pm to help with enrichment, general support, and matchmaking cats with new families. We also need matchmakers for Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4pm-7pm.

Marketing and Photography

Help our cats put their best paw forward on adoption websites (PetHarbor/PetFinder) and social media by taking photos and writing engaging bios to attract the purrfect family. You don’t need a fancy camera, a smartphone will do the trick! 

Events

Memphis Animal Services foster cats and kittens participate in monthly adoption events offsite at various locations. Help our team make these events successful by assisting with setup, talking to potential adopters, and breakdown. 

DIY Cat Enrichment 

Want to help shelter cats from the comfort of home? There are lots of DIY items you can make and collect to help make shelter life more fun for the cats in our care! 

Items to Collect for Shelter Cats

  • Shower Curtain Rings
  • Wine Corks
  • Toilet Paper Rolls
  • Ping Pong balls
  • Towels, Blankets, Sheets
  • Canned Food Trays

DIY Projects for Shelter Cats

  • Fleece Tie Blankets
  • Fleece Tie Toys
  • TP Roll Toys

*Shelter Volunteers must be 18+ years old to volunteer with the cats at Memphis Animal Services. If you have children under 18 who want to help our shelter cats, check out the list of DIY Enrichment Items above for activities for you and your child or classroom. You can drop off item donations during our regular business hours, or email [email protected] to schedule a drop-off/Cat Area Tour.