Volunteers must be 16 years of age prior to attending an orientation.

Yes!  Please visit the Youth Community Service Project web page for more information.

We request (and the animals need you) for a minimum of two hours per week (8 hours per month) for a minimum initial commitment of 9 months.

All volunteers will be provided with one volunteer shirt per year. If you would like additional shirts, you can purchase them for $11.00. Shirt sizes come in sizes S-XXXL. We also offer sweatshirts for $20.00 that come in S-XXL (optional).

Online electronic applications receive confirmation immediately after they are submitted. Please allow at least 8 weeks for an orientation in your animal care center area. You will be notified of the next orientation scheduled in your area via email within 2 weeks prior to the scheduled orientation date.

Each animal care center has an orientation approximately every eight – twelve weeks or 4-6 classes a year (usually held on a Saturday). After you apply, the Volunteer Coordinator will email you to invite you with next steps. Due to the large number of volunteers enrolled, the Agoura Care Center holds two classes annually during the month of February and September.

Foster volunteers complete a separate onboarding and training process. For more details on how to become a foster, visit our Foster Caretaker page or email foster@animalcare.lacounty.gov

Your first training session will take place at the volunteer orientation where you will learn about dog and cat behavior and behaviors to look out for while you are working with the animals. More extensive training will take place at the animal care center. Each animal care center has a Volunteer Coordinator or Liaison and leadership volunteers that will arrange additional training.

Volunteers are strongly encouraged to have their own insurance coverage. However, the County of Los Angeles does provide some insurance benefits for volunteers.

Volunteers who will perform services in areas that are deemed sensitive will have to complete a live scan background check. You will be informed if your volunteer service requires a background check.

We cannot accept criminal history reports done through another department or agency.  You will have to complete the live scan fingerprint process again through the Department.

Live Scan results can take anywhere from 3-30 days.  We will notify you immediately once they have been received.  If for whatever reason(s) your Live Scan does not clear or there is information obtained that would exclude you from being a volunteer for the department, we will let you know.

There are many other opportunities to help us meet our mission.  Fostering animals that need extra TLC, fundraising, and volunteering at off-site adoption events are just a few examples.  Please email us at: volunteer@animalcare.lacounty.gov for more information about other volunteer opportunities.

Foster volunteers complete a separate onboarding and training process. For more details on how to become a foster, visit our Foster Caretaker page or email foster@animalcare.lacounty.gov

This varies depending on the animal you are fostering. Unweaned animals can be anywhere from a couple days to 8 weeks depending on their age at time of foster. Unless otherwise stated, foster commitments should not exceed 3 months. While in the home weaned animals may require three to six hours a day of dedicated care, injured animals two to three hours a day, bottle babies (un-weaned), eight hours a day (must be fed every two hours) and a mom with her litter, three hours a day.

The Department will provide all the necessary food and supplies to foster parents. All you need to provide is a loving home!