Animal Rescue Volunteer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Description

Temporary position to be scheduled up to 30 hours per week August 15 - September 30, 2026*

Reports to Animal Care Manager

The Richmond SPCA is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. As a leader in the field of animal welfare, we are cultivating a community committed to saving, protecting and enriching animal lives with a mission to provide education and resources to achieve and sustain a no-kill community. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for about 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our region with vital safety net programs designed to keep thousands of pets in loving homes and out of shelters. Our values of collaboration, creativity, honesty, inclusion and respect guide not only what we do - but how we do it.

Animal Care Technicians play an essential role in caring for our homeless dogs and cats, many of whom are sick or injured and undergoing medical treatment. These team members help protect our animals' health and contribute to their overall wellbeing - making sure they are happy and loved while being readied for adoption to lasting homes.

* This position is scheduled for up to 30 hours per week August 15 - September 30, 2026. Upon hire, you will receive a checklist outlining the essential skills and tasks that must be mastered by the end of the temporary assignment. On or around September 30, 2026 based on departmental needs and your demonstrated performance, Animal Care management may offer the opportunity to transition from temporary status to a regular part-time role with a schedule of up to 28 hours per week. If the essential skills have not been demonstrated, or if there is no ongoing staffing need at that time, employment will conclude on September 30, 2026.

Essential Functions

• Clean animal housing areas while ensuring all protocols and procedures are closely followed
• Wash pet food and water containers
• Scoop and clean litter boxes for cats and spot clean animal housing areas throughout the day as needed
• Walk dogs and assist with behavior modification protocols as requested by trainers
• Assist with doing pet laundry and deliver fresh bedding to pet housing areas
• Provide socialization, enrichment and exercise for animals as outlined by management
• Ensure every pet in your assigned area eats his or her food and consumes his or her medications every day
• Maintain special feeding protocols for puppies and kittens as well as dogs and cats with special needs
• Maintain open and regular communication with the Animal Care Manager, Assistant Manager and Lead Animal Care Technicians
• Report any medical concerns or observations to the veterinary staff for monitoring
• Report any behavioral concerns or observations to the shelter trainers for monitoring
• Work with our awesome volunteers and respond to their questions in a professional manner
• Notify appropriate personnel when animal care supplies are running low
• Clean work areas and preserve the physical appearance of dog and cat areas
• Empty garbage cans
• Assist other colleagues in the department as needed
• Perform side duties daily
• Attend and participate in all required trainings and meetings
• Complete special cleaning projects and other job-related duties as assigned

Requirements

• Able to work in a high volume, fast-paced environment
• Comfort handling/learning to handle dogs, cats, and small mammals, including fearful or fractious patients
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Availability on weekends, holidays, and some weekdays (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day required)
• Have reliable transportation, including during inclement weather**

** This position is an essential personnel position, meaning employees in this position are designated as critical to the Richmond SPCA's shelter operations, as they provide for the health and welfare of our shelter pets. Essential personnel are required to report to work when scheduled even when the Richmond SPCA is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions, or inclement weather.

Qualifications, Skills and Expectations

• Able to react to change productively
• Excellent attention to detail
• Uncompromising commitment to the wellbeing of every pet in our care
• Punctual with a sense of urgency
• Strong work ethic
• Resourceful, positive, get-it-done attitude
• Team-oriented mindset
• Good communicator
• Prior experience working in an animal care environment a plus (but not required)
• Comfort handling and learning to handle dogs and cats
• Good time management and prioritization skills
• Must be able to work independently at times
• Ability to multitask

Physical Job Requirements

• Able to routinely lift 40-50 lbs.
• Able to push/pull a large cart
• Able to work around animals (including those who are sick or injured, or who exhibit challenging behaviors), dog and cat dander, loud noises, cat litter, peanut butter, animal waste, and various chemicals
• Able to bend, kneel and use your arms in a repetitive manner
• Able to stoop and use stairs
• Able to be on your feet for an entire 8-hour shift
• Have physical strength to perform cleaning duties effectively and efficiently

Work Environment

• Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste and disinfectants
• High levels of noise
• Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that are zoonotic (can be transmitted from animals to people)
• Work in a team environment with other passionate, hardworking and dedicated animal lovers, making a difference in their lives every day

Richmond SPCA employees are eligible to become clients of our low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital and have access to an Employee Assistance Program. Employees who average 15+ hours per week are eligible for voluntary (employee-paid) benefits including accident insurance, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance. Employees who average 20+ hours a week can participate in our 401(k) retirement plan and have access to paid wellness leave.

Full-time employees are eligible for insurance benefits, including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and paid personal leave.

The Richmond SPCA is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.