About Volunteering

They need you. We need you. Volunteer today.

Volunteers are very important people at the Dumb Friends League. As the largest animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region, we rely on the assistance of caring and hard-working volunteers in all of our programs. In a year's time, the League receives as many as 25,000 lost, unwanted and abused pets, and helps tens of thousands of people and animals throughout the Denver metro area, and beyond.

At our main shelter in southeast Denver and our Buddy Center in Castle Rock, cats, dogs, rabbits and other small pets enjoy the comfort of a nurturing environment in state-of-the-art facilities.

The Dumb Friends League encourages the participation of volunteers who support the following mission: to provide shelter and care for animals; to provide programs and services that enhance the bond between animals and people; to be advocates for animals … speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.

All potential volunteers are interviewed prior to placement and participate in our training program as part of their work experience. We encourage you to complete an application. The information on this form will help us find the most satisfying and appropriate job for you.

Volunteers must:

• be at least 16 years old (some positions require individuals to be at least 18 years of age)
• make a six-month commitment of approximately three hours per week

To get started:

1. Complete the application
   If your availability and interests coincide with available volunteer positions, we'll contact you to schedule you for a volunteer orientation.
2. Attend orientation
   Each volunteer attends a two-and-a-half-hour orientation where we provide an overview of our services, philosophies, an introduction to our volunteer program and a tour of the shelter.
3. Interview
   Prospective volunteers interview one-on-one with a League representative to discuss personal goals and to determine the most suitable volunteer assignment.
4. Attend training class
   To learn about safety procedures, pet adoptions, animal behavior and other important information about the League's many programs, volunteers also participate in a hands-on training class.

Why become a Dumb Friends League volunteer?

• You can develop new skills while exploring the field of animal care
• Meet new people with similar interests
• Acquire work experience for future endeavors
• Receive support and guidance from professional staff
• Most importantly, volunteering will make life brighter for the pets in our care, and better for the people and animals in our community.