Volunteering at Joybound is about more than just giving your time — it’s making a difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them. Whether you’re providing hands-on care for shelter pets, assisting at events, or helping community members keep their beloved animals, every role helps create a kinder, more compassionate world for pets in need.
Join our team of dedicated volunteers and become part of a community that shares your passion for animal wellness. Whether you have a few hours a week or want to get involved in a larger way, there’s a place for you at Joybound People & Pets.
“Volunteering at Joybound is a way to give back, but you get so much more in return.”
– Doris, Joybound Volunteer
Volunteering is a rewarding experience that allows you to connect with animals, give back to your community, and meet fellow animal-lovers. The time and effort you contribute directly impact the well-being of animals, from providing essential care to helping them find loving homes. No matter your role, you’ll leave knowing you made a difference.
Joybound’s online volunteer orientation will introduce you to our mission, programs, and available volunteer opportunities. Orientation is the first step to joining our team and ensuring you’re set up for success in your role. We ask for a six month commitment of at least eight hours a month. We are unable to accommodate short-term community service volunteer opportunities or sign off on hours before a six month commitment is complete.
If a regularly occurring volunteer role isn’t the right fit for you, consider joining our event & large project volunteer email list by filling out this form and we will contact you when we could use an extra hand during our larger events and projects.
Volunteer Orientation
Start your journey as a Joybound volunteer through our easy online volunteer orientation process.
Foster Volunteering
Fosters a provide temporary space where dogs and cats can heal, grow, and receive personalized care.
Current Volunteer Portal
Already a volunteer? Log in to Joybound’s Volgistics Volunteer Portal to manage your schedule and access resources.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways to get involved at Joybound, whether you want to work directly with animals or support behind the scenes. While most of our volunteer roles are available for volunteers ages 16+, some roles may be available only to ages 18+. Here are just a few of the departments and program that you can help:
General Volunteering
Volunteering
Begin your online foster orientation process to start volunteering your time to make a difference in the lives of pets.
Foster Volunteering
Fostering
Fosters a provide temporary space where dogs and cats can heal, grow, and receive personalized care.
Volunteer Foster Training
The first step on the Shelter to Service psychiatric service dog pathway? 15 weeks of training in the home of a volunteer.
Volunteering with Your Pet
Pet Hug Pack Volunteering
Well-behaved, friendly pets can join our visiting therapy animal program to provide comfort to people in need.
Specialty Volunteering
Youth Volunteering
Volunteering provides teens with a chance to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and make a real impact.
Group Volunteering
Ready to shake up your team-building routine with something meaningful and memorable? We’ve got you covered.
One-Off Volunteering
If a regularly occurring volunteering isn’t the right fit, we can contact you when we could use an extra hand during larger projects.
“I love volunteering here because of the diverse opportunities at Joybound.”
– Candace, Joybound Volunteer
Departments You Could Volunteer With
Joybound has a wide variety of programs and departments that we invite volunteers to participate in. This includes:
- Animal Care: Animal Care volunteers help ensure our shelter pets are happy and comfortable during their stay.
- Adoptions: Adoption volunteers play an important role in matching pets with loving families.
- Community Engagement: Community Engagement volunteers serve as ambassadors for Joybound, often acting as someone’s first contact with our organization.
- Community Solutions: Community Solutions volunteers connect pet guardians in need with vital resources.
- Events: Event volunteers help make Joybound’s internal and external events successful and engaging.
- Foster: Foster volunteers provide temporary, loving homes for animals in need.
- Pet Hug Pack: Therapy animal volunteers with well-behaved, friendly pets can visit people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other community spaces.
- Shelter Essentials: Shelter volunteers keep our shelter running smoothly, behind-the-scenes.
- Shelter to Service: Shelter to Service Volunteer Foster Trainers help psychiatric service dog candidates master skills before being paired with their program participant.
- Thrift Store: Thrift Store volunteers assist customers, organize merchandise, and sort and tag donated items at our Concord location.
- Training Classes: Training volunteers assist with Joybound’s award-winning public training classes.
- Veterinary Clinic: Clinic volunteers support our on-site clinic, which provides care for shelter animals and community pets.
- And much more: There’s always a way to help at Joybound! Whether you have special skills in photography, marketing, office work, or another area, we can find a role that fits your talents and passion.
Questions
If you have questions about being a Joybound volunteer, feel free to read our volunteering FAQs, where we answer some of our most commonly asked questions about volunteering.
Volunteering FAQs
👋 How old do I have to be to volunteer?
Most of Joybound’s volunteer opportunities are available to volunteers ages 16+. However, some roles may be available only to ages 18 and older – please review each role description for additional details. Sign up for our online orientation today!
👋 If I am not old enough to volunteer, but want to help, what can I do?
Host a fundraiser or donation drive. Past fundraisers have included donated birthdays, live streams, lemonade stands, and much more.
Or consider fostering as a family to get involved. Start the foster orientation process to hear about the realities and rewards of this unique volunteer role from experienced foster parents. Bring your questions to this free, no-obligation information session.
👋 I work regular business hours. Can I volunteer after work or on weekends?
Weekend and evening volunteer opportunities are available.
👋 What kind of commitment is required?
We ask for a commitment of six months with at least eight hours each month.
👋 Can I complete my court-ordered community service at Joybound?
We require a six month minimum commitment from all volunteers. We cannot accommodate short-term community service volunteer opportunities or sign off on hours before this six month commitment is complete.
👋 I want to volunteer with my pet. What are my options?
You and your pet might be a great addition to our Pet Hug Pack® therapy animal program, or consider becoming a foster family.
👋 Are there ways I can volunteer from home?
Yes! Consider becoming a foster home! Every new foster family means another pet rescued from an overburdened, public shelter. Other remote volunteer opportunities include event coordination, providing assistance through the Resource Center to pet guardians in need, and more.
👋 After I attend orientation, how long until I can start volunteering?
Most volunteer jobs require additional training sessions or prerequisites while some jobs can be started right away. Depending on how quickly you progress through the training it will generally take 2-4 weeks to start volunteering.
👋 Do you offer one-time volunteer opportunities for groups?
Is your company or social group interested in a one-time group volunteering session at Joybound? Contact our team at [email protected] and we’d be happy to work with you! Alternately, your group is welcome to help our mission by hosting a fundraiser or donation drive.
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Volunteers make our mission possible.
We’re a proud recipient of funding from Maddie’s Fund®.
We feed our animals high-quality Purina pet food.
You can find all our adorable, adoptable animals on Petfinder