Volunteer

Are you interested in helping the Chester County SPCA, but don't know where to start? Our volunteers are vital to our success. If you are able to help, the following volunteer positions (listed below) are available.

If you are interested in donating any items to benefit our Volunteer program or our shelter, please download our Shelter Wish List Download PDF.

FUR STAR**** Volunteer Program: If you want to work directly with our animals in a shelter setting, then this position is for you. At the Chester County SPCA, our shelter guests are like family and we want their stay with us to be as comfortable, productive and educational as possible! Fur Star**** Volunteers assist our staff with adoptable dogs and cats to ensure the success of our in-shelter animal training & behavior enhancement program. Fur Star**** volunteers work on three different levels to help us train, exercise and socialize our shelter guests: BEGINNER, ADVANCED, AND CCSPCA TRAINER.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 18 years or older

TIME COMMITMENT: at least one 2-hour shift per month.

*Everyone starts on the Beginner Level, no exceptions. For more information on securing a spot in the next Beginner Fur Star training session, please complete the volunteer application listed below and submit to humaneedandvolunteer@ccspca.org.

By learning the most current and humane animal handling and training techniques, and by teaching ourselves to better understand our feline and canine companions, we can better accomodate their needs during their stay with us!

JUNIOR Fur Star**** Volunteer Corp: Do you want to volunteer, but you're too young to work with the animals? Then the CCSPCA Junior Corp is for you! This opportunity is for individuals ages 10-15 years old.

The CCSPCA Junior Volunteer Corp meets four times a year to discuss important animal welfare issues affecting our community. Activities and topics will vary at each meeting. Team-building activities, "homework" to benefit our animals and shelter, and educational topics are designed to give our youth valuable insight into our shelter and the world of animal welfare.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 10-15 years old

TIME COMMITMENT: attendance of quarterly meetings and "homework" for the months between these meetings.

For more details, please fill out an application below and contact our Volunteer Manager at humaneedandvolunteer@ccspca.org to learn about upcoming Junior Corp meetings.

FOSTER CARE: Volunteers interested in temporarily taking care of a shelter animal in their home should complete a separate foster care application. Please forward this application to the Volunteer Manager. A one-on-one interview with our Kennel Coordinator will complete the application process to see if your home matches the needs of one of our shelter animal canidates.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 18 years or older.

TIME COMMITMENT: usually 4-8 weeks (varies)

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: attendance of one Fur Star Beginner Orientation to learn the handling and training techniques that we employ at the shelter.

DOG'S DAY OUT: Like events and community functions? Have a valid driver's license and reliable vehicle? Then our Dog's Day Out volunteer program is for you! Take adoptable shelter dogs to participating pet supply stores, local events, or CCSPCA fundraisers. While at these locations, talk to customers and attendees about the dog and the Chester County SPCA.

AGE REQUIREMENTS: 18 years or older

TIME REQUIREMENTS: varies

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Fur Star**** Program through the Advanced (dog walking) level. Additional event experience a plus.

SPECIAL EVENTS/FUNDRAISING: Are you interested in organizing and managing events, representing the Chester County SPCA in the community, or do you prefer to roll up your sleeves and energetically complete tasks? Volunteers are needed to work for the Chester County SPCA's fundraising and promotional activities.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 16 years or older. 

TIME COMMITMENT: Episodic

DOG BANK FUNDRAISING PROGRAM: Volunteers monitor dog bank locations and collect donations on a quarterly basis. This money is sent to the shelter to benefit our animals. Dog Bank volunteers must be responsible, able to with with minimal supervision (under our volunteer Dog Bank Coordinator and our CCSPCA Volunteer Manager) and must have their own transportation. Volunteers are always encouraged to keep an eye out for new dog bank locations so that we can expand out donation network.

AGE REQUIREMENT:  16 years or older

TIME COMMITMENT: quarterly collection schedule

SHELTER AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT: The Chester County SPCA's front and administrative office staff need your help! Tasks include data entry/computer work, individual and specialized projects to grow programs, putting together adoption packets and other organizational work, greeting visitors at the shelter, answering phones, or helping staff prep for events, trainings, and workshops.

*This position offers many opportunities for volunteers to work from HOME.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 16 years or older.

TIME COMMITMENT: varies due to each project or task.

VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAM: Volunteers with a knack for photography, a love for animals, and the ability to work alone or on a team (with other volunteers or kennel staff) will be able to use their own photography equipment and edit pictures for our shelter use. These pictures will be used to update our Petfinder page of adoptable animals and will also be used for promotional, educational, and event materials. Photography sessions are scheduled ONE MONTH in advanced, rotate on a monthly schedule, and must be coordinated with the Volunteer Manager ahead of time.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 18 years or older

TIME COMMITMENT: 1 photo session per month

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General Requirements for All Volunteers
Enthusiasm, dependability, communication skills, and a pleasant personality.
Able to make a regular commitment of service as required.
You must be covered by medical insurance if you if you are going to assist with animal care.

To Apply, Call:
610-692-6113 x216 or e-mail at humaneedandvolunteer@ccspca.org. You can also download a volunteer application.