Volunteers


We need you! Volunteer at The Anti-Cruelty Society.

The Anti-Cruelty Society has provided shelter and medical care for thousands of animals since 1899. Volunteers make our success possible by helping in our shelter and veterinary clinic and with special events. If you love animals, you'll be volunteering at the right place.

Volunteer at Anti-CrueltySteps to becoming an ACS volunteer:

  1. Register for an upcoming new volunteer orientation. Orientations are held in our Education & Training Center, 169 W. Grand Ave. on a monthly basis. ***Please note, new volunteer orientations will be offered beginning summer of 2008. Please check back then to register for a session.****
  2. Attend an animal handling and safety seminar. These sessions will be hosted on a monthly basis and you may sign up for one at orientation.
  3. Choose the program you would like to participate in. After you complete new volunteer orientation and attend an animal handling and safety seminar, you are ready to get trained in the shelter. Experienced volunteer trainers will prepare new volunteers to assist in one of the programs listed below.

Please contact the Director of Volunteer Services, Darlene Duggan, with any questions you may have, by e-mail at dduggan@anticruelty.org, or by phone at (312) 644.8338, ext. 313.

Requirements to Volunteer

  1. Must be at least 18 years of age. (If you are under 18 years of age, click here for information about volunteering opportunities for younger teens.)

  2. Volunteer at least 5 hours per month and remain active for 1 year.

  3. Attend orientation and animal handling safety seminar.

Volunteer Benefits:

  • Spending time with animals who need love and attention
  • Continuing education lectures by staff members and field experts
  • Career experience
  • Meet other animal lovers
  • Seasonal parties and gatherings
  • 10% discount in ACS Boutique on all merchandise.
  • Discount on training classes.

Volunteer Programs:

  • Adoption Counseling
    Experienced dog and cat adoption volunteers assist in the adoption process by interviewing ACS customers wishing to adopt a dog or cat and educating them about proper pet care. Counseling occurs after the initial screening interview has been completed by a staff member and is the final step in an adoption. A volunteer must have a significant amount of experience in the dog and/or cat adoption room and be recommended by an ACS shelter manager.
  • Busy Fingers
    This sewing circle was created by a small group of volunteers to make fleece beds for cats in the adoption room. Production has grown to also include dog bandannas for adoption room canines and covers for cat carriers used in the Spay/Neuter Clinic. No previous handcraft experience is necessary to participate in the workshops. Tasks include machine sewing, obtaining and cutting fabric, assembly, trimming, finishing and marking.
  • VolunteerCat Adopts
    Assist cats with their adoption and placement into loving homes. Help handle and interact with cats, answer visitors questions, help with adoption applications, and provide cats with as much love as possible while they are residing at ACS.
  • Cat Socialization
    Experienced Cat Adoption volunteers provide additional care, love and human interaction to our feline friends, in effort to help alleviate their stress and maintain their health and sociability while at ACS.
  • Clean & Preen
    By helping to bathe, groom and play with the animals, volunteers can keep the dogs and cats healthy, happy, clean and smelling nice.
  • Customer Service
    Greet visitors, answer questions and assist staff with various office needs.
  • Dog Adopts
    Provide care to our canine companions. Walk, handle and play with the dogs, answer questions from visitors, assist with adoption applications and help place the dogs into good homes in the community.
  • Foster Parenting
    Provide a loving home to an animal that is too young or sick to be adopted immediately and allow them the opportunity to become strong and healthy and then be available for adoption. Note: It is not necessary to attend a volunteer orientation to foster.
  • Good Manners
    Experienced dog adoption volunteers work with dogs available for adoption to alleviate some of the stress and boredom that they feel in the shelter. Dogs then have a better chance of being adopted as a result of their polite behavior. Volunteers learn tricks and techniques from the Animal Behavior and Training (AB&T) staff.
  • Office Assistant
    Help with a variety of projects and needs in departments including: Customer Service, Humane Education, Spay/Neuter Clinic, and Volunteer Office. Responsibilities vary and may include filing, phone calling, IT assistance such as database and web site updates, along with boutique and other projects.
  • Patient Care
    Actively participate in the rehabilitation of sick and injured animals by providing special attention, comfort and care to help them recover from illness or injury.
  • Pet Finder
    Promote the adoption of ACS dogs and cats via the petfinder.com web site by taking photos of animals and writing bios for animals available for adoption.
  • Pet VisitationPet Visitation
    Volunteers and their dogs visit with an organization in the community such as a retirement or children’s foster home and share their dog’s love and affection with others. All dogs must be Canine Good Citizen Certified to participate.
  • Physical Exam (PE)
    Working in the clinic, volunteers assist veterinarians as they conduct physical exams of animals, prior to their approval for adoption.
  • Post Surgery Recovery
    Experienced volunteers assist with the post surgical recovery in the spay/neuter clinic.

  • SAFE/SHPP Programs
    The Short Term Accommodations for Emergencies (SAFE) and Stay Home Pet Project (SHPP) Programs offer crisis foster and in home pet care for families and individuals experiencing temporary emergency or crisis situations such as house fires, domestic violence, surgery or medical treatment. Please note, additional application and training are necessary to participate in these programs. VOLUNTEERS ARE CURRENTLY NEEDED!

  • Special Events
    Throughout the year ACS sponsors and participates in events all around the Chicago area, including, Bark in the Park, It’s Raining Cats & Dogs, Dog Wash , Animal Images, off-site adoption events, and other community events. These events have multiple goals including, raising money, promoting and marketing ACS and its animals in the community.