How To Volunteer

Volunteering at the Florida Keys SPCA We are proud of the work we do for the homeless animals in our community.

We could not accomplish everything we are able to do at our shelter without the tireless dedication from our volunteer team.  We take our job seriously in training and preparing all of our volunteers for working with our animals and completing tasks at our shelter.

Orientation & Training

Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering with the Florida Keys SPCA! Volunteers are a critical part of our mission of helping the animals of the Florida Keys. At this time, we are in the process of overhauling our 16+ year old Volunteer Program and converting our recruitment and on-boarding process to a more accessible model; we expect that we will be ready to launch our updated program and on-boarding process in the near future. At that time, you will be able to learn in more detail about the program and all the volunteer opportunities available.

Our Youth Club portion of our volunteer program will remain the same, requiring an in-person orientation with dates listed below.

Orientation Overview:

  • On-boarding for available positions for 16+ year olds (listed under the Training tabs) will be done in a hybrid virtual/in person model.
  • 16+ year old volunteers are required to complete the Orientation Video.
  • All aged volunteers, including Youth Club, are require to complete the following documents:
  • For 16+ year old volunteers: If you are interested in training in one of the positions listed under the Training tab, email Amina@fkspca.org to request the forms and Orientation video. The completed forms can be submitted via email to Amina@fkspca.org or in-person at the front office of the shelter.
  • After completing the Orientation Video and forms, you will be scheduled for an initial meet & greet with the Volunteer Coordinator and an in-person training shift in the area you wish to volunteer.

Volunteers who are at least 18 years old must complete a background check prior to their first training shift.

All volunteers, including Youth Club, are required to pay a $30 program fee to cover the cost of your volunteer t-shirt and program materials.

Upcoming Key West Campus Orientations for Youth Club:

  • Youth Club - Ages 10-15 (Note: All Youth Club members must have a parent attend orientation with them.)
    • Tuesday 10/4 from 4-5pm
    • Thursday 10/6 from 4-5pm

All training sessions will give volunteers the knowledge they need to perform their position safely and sufficiently on their own. While we are overhauling our current volunteer program, we are continuing to accept new volunteers to assist in our most high needs positions, listed below. These positions will continuously update as they become available.

16 & Up:

Following the orientation session, volunteers will sign up for training depending on where their interest lies. If you are 18+years old, you will be required to pass a background check prior to your first training session. 16 & 17 year olds must bring a parental waiver signed before they start training.

  • Length of Time: Each training class will last 60-90 minutes depending on the animal area or duty.
  • Trainers: New volunteers will train with either a staff member or mentor volunteer.

Available Positions:

Cat Adoption Room Cleaners:

Volunteers needed to help clean the adoptable cat free roam and condo rooms to maintain the health, safety, and comfort of our adoptable cats during their stay with us.

Requirements: Must be at least 16 years old and be comfortable working around cats. Must be able to work independently with limited supervision, able to follow verbal and written instructions, and able to communicate effectively with other volunteers, staff, and the public. Must be capable of lifting 20 lbs and performing tasks that are moderately physically demanding such as cleaning litterboxes, sweeping, mopping, and laundry.

Time Commitment: 2 hours per week minimum on a set schedule within the time frame of the available shifts.

Available Shifts:

Mondays 8:00-11:00 am

Wednesdays 8:00-11:00 am

Fridays 8:00-11:00 am

Saturdays 8:00-11:00 am

Sundays 8:00-11:00 am

 

Dog Kennel Cleaners

Volunteers needed to help clean the dog kennels and rooms to maintain the health, safety, and comfort of our dogs during their stay with us.

Requirements: Must be at least 16 years old and be comfortable working around dogs. Must be willing to make safety a first priority. Must be able to work independently with limited supervision, able to follow verbal and written instructions, and able to communicate effectively with other volunteers, staff, and the public. Must be capable of lifting 20 lbs and performing tasks that are moderately physically demanding such as operating a pressure washer, sweeping, mopping, and laundry.

Time Commitment: 2 hours per week minimum on a set schedule within the time frame of the available shifts.

Available Shifts:

Mondays 8:00 am-12:00 pm

Tuesdays 8:00 am-12:00 pm

Wednesdays 8:00-12:00 pm

Thursdays 8:00 am-12:00 pm

Fridays 8:00 am-12:00 pm

Saturdays 8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sundays 8:00 am-12:00 pm

 

Dog & Cat Laundry & Housekeeping & Organizing In-Kind Donations

Volunteers needed to help with laundry in the afternoons in both the dog and cat areas to support staff and maintain the comfort of our dogs and cats during their stay with us. Assistance with sorting through and organizing the in-kind donations in the Lobby is a component of this position.

Requirements: Must be at least 16 years old. Must be able to work independently with limited supervision, able to follow verbal and written instructions, and able to communicate effectively with other volunteers, staff, and the public. Must be capable of performing tasks that are lightly physically demanding such as washing, drying, and folding laundry and doing dishes.

Time Commitment: 2 hours per week minimum on a set schedule within the time frame of the available shifts.

Available Shifts:

Mondays 1:00 pm-5:30 pm

Tuesdays 1:00 pm-5:30 pm

Wednesdays 1:00 pm-5:30 pm

Thursdays 1:00 pm-5:30 pm

Fridays 1:00 pm-5:30 pm

Saturdays 1:00 pm-4:30 pm

Sundays 1:00 pm-4:30 pm

Youth Club:

Following the orientation session, Youth Club members can start attending bi-weekly animal enrichment & interaction activity classes. No training necessary!

For details on the Youth Club program click here!

  • 18 & Up and High School (16-17 years old)
    • Please look for upcoming dates or contact our Marathon Campus at (305) 743-4800 directly for details.

Questions?

If you have additional questions about our Volunteer Programs please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Amina Chaudhry, directly at (305) 294-4857 or Volunteer@fkspca.org