Volunteer/Internships

The Rescue League offers volunteer and internship opportunities.

Volunteer

Volunteers can help in a variety of ways such as walking/playing with animals, fostering animals, helping with pet adoption fairs, or cleaning cages and kennels. Extra help is always welcome. No specific time commitment is asked, just a desire to help animals.

Volunteering can be a rewarding experience in many ways. You may have a skill or an occupation that we may be able to utilize to benefit the Rescue League. Whether your skills/interests involve directly caring for the animals or helping in other areas such as transporting, assisting in adoption fairs, or fund-raising, it all benefits the animals.

If you wish to volunteer, please download the Volunteer Waiver and Volunteer Application. Forms can be mailed to 139 Holden Street, Worcester, MA 01606, dropped off to the shelter, or scanned and emailed to petsavr@aol.com.

Foster Homes

Growing in demand and in popularity is our foster care program. Many animals fare better in a home environment and may need more individualized care. Foster homes allow us to help these animals better. For the foster parent, it can be extremely rewarding and a good learning experience.

For those interested in this area, applications are available at the front desk.

Internship Opportunities

If you are interested in interning, please inform us of your internship needs so that we can make every effort to meet your institution's guidelines. Internships can focus around a variety of shelter functions in addition to animal welfare such as promotional work, or fundraising hours.

If you are interested in volunteering or arranging an internship placement, you may come by the Rescue League and fill out an application. You may also contact the Rescue League by phone at (508) 853-0030 or email us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a minimum amount of hours required to volunteer?

A: No. Volunteers can put as little or as much time as they want. The more time you put in, however, the more effective you can be. Interns, however, usually have to put in a certain amount of time to satisfy their school's internship requirements.

Q: Can I adopt an animal that I have been working with?

A: Volunteers are certainly eligible to adopt animals. Care should be taken, however, not to make impulsive decisions that you or other household members may regret and ultimately not be good for the animal. If you do want to adopt an animal, we would encourage you to speak to an adoption worker to help you make a good decision.

Q: What hours can I do volunteer work?

A: The Rescue League is open Monday through Saturday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Volunteer hours should be done in between these hours.

Q: Is it dangerous for my pets at home to be spending time in the kennels?

A: The Rescue League has a number of procedures to not only keep the kennel free of diseases but to also eliminate the possibility of transferring diseases back and forth from homes. Almost all Rescue League workers and volunteers have pets of their own, so disease control systems are in place and guidelines exist to address this issue.