Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Plano Animal Services (PAS). Onboarding as an in-shelter volunteer is a long-term commitment that requires extensive training. If you are not interested/available for a long-term commitment, please do NOT add your name to this list. Read through the following carefully before applying.
Who can volunteer at PAS?
Adults 18+ who are ready to make a long-term volunteer commitment of 8 hours/month on an ongoing basis.
What volunteer roles are available?
Starting volunteer roles include Cat Room Attendant, Dog Exerciser and Greeter. New volunteers can only train in one area when onboarding. After 3 months of regular volunteering, you can cross-train or learn additional skills (group dog walks, adoption counseling).
What is the onboarding process like?
Working with and around animals requires a high level of training. Before becoming a volunteer, you must:
- Add yourself to the waitlist. Applicants typically spend 2-3 months on the waitlist before continuing to the next step.
- Complete a virtual orientation. Invites and additional instructions are sent based on when individuals applied.
- Attend a Prospective Volunteer Work Day. This is a group volunteer opportunity at Plano Animal Services that allows you to become familiar with the environment and staff.
- Complete a background check. Performed at no cost to you. If you already have a recent check through another VIP program, you won't need a new one.
- Pass a hands-on training. Attend a hands-on training for your desired starting role. Dependent on your availability, this usually happens within 1-2 weeks after the Work Day.
- Cleared for volunteering.
Why is there a multiple month wait between applying and being invited to training?
We are fortunate that so many residents are animal lovers and want to give back to the shelter! One thing that can slow down the onboarding process is people realizing the program isn't the right fit for them. This may be due to their schedules, life events (job changes, moving, graduations) or realizing the environment isn't what they expected. The best way to decrease the wait time is to honestly evaluate whether it is a fit BEFORE joining the waitlist.
How can I assess whether it's a good fit?
Here are some questions to ask yourself that may help. We also have a flowchart [PDF] available with suggested actions based on your answers.
- Have you visited PAS recently?
- Are you at a stage of your life where you can make a long-term commitment? If you anticipate major life changes like moving, graduation/starting school, family expansions, etc, it might not be the right time.
- Can you picture how 8 hours of volunteering will fit into your life?
I'm part of an animal training/behavior certificate program or in veterinarian school. Can I volunteer to train animals or do required vet shadowing hours at the shelter?
No. None of our available volunteer roles focus on animal training or involve vet shadowing. You are welcome to be a volunteer, but most likely the work done would not meet the requirements for certificate or vet programs.
What other ways can I support the shelter?
In-shelter volunteering is NOT the only way to support the shelter and its mission.
- Group Volunteering: Organize colleagues, friends or a civic group for a one-time group volunteer event. Groups can be between 3-6 adults. All participants must be 18+. Learn more and submit a request here.
- Donations: Item and/or monetary donations are a great
help to PAS! Animal lovers of any age can host
a donation drive, craft toys or raise funds. Learn more about here. Note: We cannot approve school service hours for donations.
- Awareness: Follow PAS or other shelters and share details
about annual events, adoption specials,
and/or animal safety and care info. Find PAS
on Instagram & Facebook.
PAS sounds perfect for me! What should I do?
Join the waitlist by answering the questions below clicking Join User List. If you are logged into the Portal and don't see any questions, it means your name is already on the list.
Questions?
Contact Morgan Green-Griffin at morgangg@plano.gov
