I Want to Volunteer

 Help enrich and save dogs’ lives at your city shelter as a dog volunteer!

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

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

Enrichment and Support

Ensure MAS dogs get the playtime and enrichment they need (and deserve) every day. Dog enrichment volunteers will take dogs out to our play yards to play and relax, provide in-kennel enrichment by stuffing, cleaning and distributing Kongs, and assist with matchmaking potential adopters to new furry family members. 

Marketing and Photography

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

Events

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

Playgroups

Staff run playgroups are an opportunity for our dogs to socialize with each other! Help bring dogs to and from the play yards, learn about dog behavior and playstyles, and get to watch some serious fun. For more information on our playgroup protocols, check out Dogs Playing for Life. 

*Shelter Volunteers must be 18+ years old to volunteer with the dogs at Memphis Animal Services. If you have children under 18 who want to help our shelter dogs, please consider a donation drive to help collect items for our shelter dogs and email [email protected] to schedule a dropoff and shelter tour.