Giving your time and energy to animals through the Santa Cruz SPCA can be an exceptionally satisfying activity. Just ask any volunteer who’s walked an exuberant shelter dog, coaxed a new shelter cat out of her shell, or watched a family connect with and adopt a shelter pet.

Sign up for a Virtual Information Session!

If you have not yet filled out an application, please do so by clicking the Volunteer Application tab next to the orientations tab!

Sign up for an Information Session/Orientation here!

• Sign in from home (fosters), events, and outings.
• Check or maintain information such as your address, phone number, and email address.
• Check and print your schedule, sign-up for schedule openings, and alert Santa Cruz SPCA to times you cannot serve as scheduled.
• Post your hours, and view and print your past service information.
• Check the progress toward the completion of your mandatory service.
• Receive messages.

*To sign in, use the email address you registered with and then click the “Need a Password?” link. A temporary password will be sent to your email and you can then reset your password. 

My child is under 16. Can they come with me to volunteer if I am there to supervise?

Due to the nature of the work we do as well as strict insurance and liability issues, we are unable to have volunteers under the age of 16 performing general volunteer duties — even with a parent supervisor. However, we do offer a few youth volunteer programs designed specifically for younger animal lovers.

Do I have to buy a volunteer bundle?

We require each volunteer to purchase a volunteer bundle, which includes a name tag and apron/t-shirt for $30, and ask that each volunteer wear it during any volunteer time. These apron/t-shirt /name tag combos play the important role of identifying our volunteers to the visiting public as well as to staff members. The apron also helps protect clothing, and the pockets allow a place to store shelter necessities such as leashes, treats, and potty bags. 

I’m already a volunteer at the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter. Do I still need to go through the orientation process with you?

Because we are two separate organizations with very different environments, policies, and procedures, it’s important that any new volunteer complete our orientation process regardless of prior shelter experience.

Do I need to stick to a set volunteer schedule, or can I just come when I want?

It is helpful and necessary to anticipate the help of volunteers given COVID and the size of our new space, so we do require you to keep a set schedule. Of course, within our volunteer management system (Volgistics), you are given the opportunity to self-select a schedule if you’d like. There is the flexibility for any volunteer to sign up for any open shift any time during our open hours even if it is not their regular shift.

What’s the earliest I can come to volunteer and what’s the latest I can stay?

Volunteers typically lend us their time between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.  The specific shifts for working directly with the dogs and cats each day are 8-10, 10-12, 12-2 and 2-4.

Can I still volunteer when you’re closed on Mondays and holidays?

Yes! Even when we are closed, staff and animals are here and would LOVE volunteer help. Duties and hours would generally be the same as for any normal day of business.

I was a volunteer with the SCSPCA a long time ago but have not been in to help in a while. Can I just come back and start up again?

Things are always changing, so we ask that any volunteer who has been inactive for 6-plus months come in for a refresher before resuming volunteer work with us.  To schedule a refresher activation, call our offices (831) 566-3753 for a list of available dates and times.

If I can’t make the orientation dates or if the orientation is full, what do I do?

Contact us directly to find out if we are offering group orientation dates or dates when you can start the process on your own.

I need to fulfill court-ordered community service. Can I do that with the SCSPCA?

We have so many regular applicants that we are unable to accommodate any Court Ordered Community Service at this time.