The center is thankful to have the support of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers assist staff in implementing the center’s programs and goals. Volunteers contribute to a variety of important tasks, including keeping the facility clean, helping visitors, providing animal care, and socializing adoptable animals. Areas of service include cat, dog, rabbit, foster care, animal transport, and community events/outreach.
General Volunteer Requirements
To volunteer at the center, one must be:
- At least 18 years old.
- Able to commit to a weekly, assigned shift in animal care or to at least two foster assignments per year.
- Available to make a one-year commitment.
- Able to email and use the internet well.
- Able to support staff in meeting the center's Mission and Goals.
- Not volunteering for a court-mandated reason.
- Comfortable interacting with people and animals.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Greeter
Greeters are the first point of contact for visitors to the center and play an important role in ensuring that their visit is a success. They act as a welcoming ambassador to discern visitors’ needs and direct them accordingly. Greeters may help guide visitors to the kennels, answer adoption and animal-related questions, accept in-kind donations, keep the entry area clean and presentable, or other support tasks. This role provides a big boost to our day-to-day operations. It is a great opportunity to learn about how the center works and join our team.
- Must have a positive, outgoing personality and enjoy working with the public.
- Be able to offer courteous, helpful, and knowledgeable information about the IACC.
- Have the ability to interact well with staff and be able to work independently on special projects.
- Have the ability to be flexible in a dynamic and sometimes fast-paced environment while being patient and empathetic.
- Able to meet the Essential Capabilities.
Animal Transport
Transport Volunteers are needed to drive animals from the Irvine Animal Care Center to rescue organizations, foster care, and/or wildlife rehabilitation centers in Orange County using their own vehicle. The position does not include animal handling. Transport Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, pass a Live Scan background check (free), and have proof of a current driver’s license and auto insurance, as well as access to a vehicle.
- Respond to same-day requests for transport via text message from two to four times per month.
- Able to meet the Essential Capabilities.
- Will be credited with volunteer time and may track mileage for personal tax purposes.
- Be able to bend, kneel, and squat in order to pick up an animal carrier.
- Able to lift and carry 25 lbs.
Foster Care
Bottle Babies
The Irvine Animal Care Center is in need of foster caregivers able to open their hearts and homes to our most vulnerable animals. Orphaned neonates require the around-the-clock care that the mother would normally provide. Foster volunteers take on these duties for orphaned bottle babies:
- Bottle feeding every two to three hours, day and night, for up to three weeks.
- Help going potty and gentle cleaning.
To learn more, visit our Foster Care Program page
Weaning Babies
Weaning puppies and kittens require the around-the-clock care, but on a schedule that’s less intense than Bottle Babies. Foster volunteers take on these duties for weaning puppies and kittens:
- Syringe feeding every four hours for a week or two, as/until the animals transition to eating regular food.
- Kittens may need initial help learning to use a litterbox. Puppies this age are too young to be housebroken, but ample potty pads are provided.
- All weaning babies will need gentle cleaning.
Large Breed Mama Dog with Puppies
The Irvine Animal Care Center is in need of foster caregivers with big dog experience and a comfort level caring for a mama dog that weighs 45-75 lbs. plus her litter of puppies. A typical litter is 5-8 puppies.
- Experience and ability to walk a strong dog.
- Once the puppies begin to wean, space where they eat and sleep plus space for going potty.
All Foster Care volunteers receive this support from the center:
- Training
- Supplies (formula, litter, potty pads, bedding, etc.)
- Equipment (digital scale, carrier, crate/pen)
- Veterinary care, including medical treatment if needed
- Adoption after the animals return to the center
There are no on-site animal care volunteer opportunities at this time.
To get started as a Greeter, Transport, or Foster Care volunteer, send an email to iaccinterestlist@cityofirvine.org with your chosen role as the subject line.
Looking For Other Volunteer Opportunities?
You may check back periodically or follow our social media channels for future recruitment announcements. If you would like to be notified of the next volunteer recruitment, join our interest list by sending an email to iaccinterestlist@cityofirvine.org.
Need More Flexibility?
Here are other ways you can help the animals:
- Collect towels, newspaper, and cardboard paper towel tubes to drop off for the animals during center hours.
- Make and donate:
- Visit our social media outlets at the bottom of this page and share our posts.
For additional volunteer opportunities with the City of Irvine, visit our Volunteer Opportunities web page.
