Volunteer
Make Your Mark
We are so happy you’re interested in getting involved with our work here at Dogwood Animal Shelter. There are so many ways for you to help, and we truly appreciate each and every effort. By lending your support, you’ll become a valuable part of our Non-Profit Organization and help to strengthen our operations.
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Note: If you are a member of a school group that requires volunteer hours (e.g. National Honors Society), please email requests to manager@daslakeoftheozarks.com
Volunteering at you Dogwood Animal Shelter is a rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of animals in need. By fostering pets, you provide a loving temporary home, which helps them adjust and become more adoptable. Assisting at fundraisers not only brings in crucial support for the shelter but also allows you to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for animal welfare. Volunteering offers emotional rewards, builds community, and enhances your skills, making it a fulfilling experience for both the animals and volunteers.
Requirements
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Must be minimum of 18 years of age, or have a parent/legal guardian present for the duration of their time at DAS if between 14-17 years of age. Unfortunately we are not able to accommodate children under the age of 14 years at this time.
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Must have a mature & respectful attitude towards staff, the public & animal residents at all times
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Have an interest in helping animals become successful pets
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Have a working email
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Complete volunteer assessment and attend the in-person orientation
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Must wear closed toe shoes & appropriate clothing for handling animals
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Can kids volunteer?DAS has a few volunteer opportunities with children if they are over 14 years of age and their parent or guardian is present for the entirety of the volunteer shift. If you are their parent/guardian of a minor looking to volunteer, please fill out the volunteer application with your information. You will be asked to provide your child's information if they are volunteering with you. They can also (optionally) submit their own volunteer application as long as their parent/guardian has an app on file with DAS.
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What animals will I be volunteering with?At this time, most volunteers typically handle adult dogs while onsite at the shelter, but may also be handling cats and small animals if volunteering at an event. Please keep in mind that the majority of animals that DAS takes in are strays with no known history and volunteers should expect animals that could be stressed, high energy and untrained. This is why interactions with volunteers are so important to not only give animals a break from the high stress environment at the shelter but also provide DAS with valuable feedback on finding the best home for this animal!
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What about group volunteering?Onsite group volunteer opportunities, such as dog walking, must be scheduled in advance with our volunteer coordinator. There is a 10 person limit per scheduled group event. Please email our volunteer coordinator to schedule a group event. We highly encourage any groups that are looking to support the animals at DAS to organize and collect items from our wishlist! If your group has an animal friendly office, we'd be happy to bring some pets over so you can meet the pets you are supporting!
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Do I have to volunteer a certain amount?You can volunteer once a month or as often as you like! You sign up for your volunteer shifts so you get to work around your schedule! Please note that if it has been over 1 year since you last volunteered, you may be asked to resubmit an application before volunteering again.