Volunteer

Volunteers are an integral part of our team. The LA/SPCA staff often needs your help, but the
4-legged creatures always need assistance from volunteers. You can choose to work directly with the animals or contribute your services in other ways to the organization. Some people want to walk dogs or play with cats, while others prefer to help with shelter repairs, clerical work or events. It is up to you. We welcome your talents and time in all shapes and sizes.

If you are age 18 or older please sign up as an adult.

If you are between the ages of 12 and 17 years and wish to volunteer with the LA/SPCA, you must apply as a Team Volunteer or a Youth Volunteer.

Team Volunteers
Team Volunteers consist of a students ages 12 to 14 and a parent, or a guardian who is at least 18 years of age. Both team members must fill out  an individual Volunteer Application, attend Volunteer Orientation together, and they must not be separated when volunteering.

Youth Volunteers
Youth Volunteers are volunteers between the ages of 15 and 17. These young adults understand it takes more than a love for animals to volunteer at a humane organization. They understand it also requires dedication, commitment, initiative, hard work and patience. All youth volunteers are held to the same standards as our adult volunteers and must meet the same requirements before volunteering. There is a special application for Youth Volunteers. To receive an application, please email ginger@la-spca.org.  With your emailed request, please include your name and home mailing address. An application will be sent to you.

We ask that each volunteer/team give a minimum of 6 hours (minimum shift of 2 hours) per month.  All volunteers must complete a Volunteer Orientation. All volunteers/teams are required to pay a $30 orientation fee,  which covers the costs of a leash, apron and volunteer name badge(s). The $30 fee is due at the completion of the volunteer orientation.

If you are interested in volunteering as an individual, or as a team, please review the numerous volunteer opportunities available with the Louisiana SPCA. Once you have determined your areas of interest, fill out the online Volunteer Application, email ginger@la-spca.org, or call the LA/SPCA Volunteer Programs Coordinator, (504) 368-5191, ext. 142.

For those of you interested in working at the shelter, please be aware that we are a facility that must practice euthanasia. We are an Open-admission shelter, meaning we take in ALL animals brought to us regardless of health, age or adoptability. Unfortunately, as with any shelter, we can only house so many animals at one time. The results of not accepting these animals would most likely end in a horrible death for them; a death by violence, disease, starvation, loneliness, or traffic accident. The numbers are overwhelming and our dedicated staff must deal with this tragedy everyday. It is a very sad story that results from irresponsible pet ownership. Please, take this into consideration when making your departmental selection. Please read Why Must We Euthanize and Answer to the Difficult Euthanasia Question to gain a better understanding of our position. Answers to many questions surrounding euthanasia can be found in Frequently Asked Questions.