Volunteering

Volunteer applications are currently closed while we conduct interviews and orientations. Please regularly check back on this page to see when applications are open again.
Thank you

VOLUNTEERING AT SYDNEY DOGS AND CATS HOME

SDCH has a dedicated team of Volunteers who work tirelessly for the Home.  They all have one thing in common, a genuine love of animals and a desire to see them safe, happy and healthy. 

Our Volunteers walk the dogs, spend time with the cats and other animals, work in the kennel area, help with administration and help with fundraising for the Home.

We accept volunteers for work experience, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, disability groups, corporate groups, overseas students and community service people. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Confidence, ability and experience with handling animals. This includes the dogs you have owned.
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to follow procedures and take directions.

     ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• A genuine love of animals.
• A genuine desire to help lost and abandoned animals and make a difference to their lives.
• Be physically fit and enjoy lots of walking. 
• Live within a reasonable travelling distance of the Home and have reliable transport. We will give priority to local volunteers.
• Cope with the emotional highs and lows of working in an animal shelter.
• Make a commitment of 3 hours or more per visit either weekly or fortnightly. Preference will be given to people who come weekly.
• Commit to volunteering at the Home for a period of 6 months or more. Many of our volunteers have been coming for well over a year and some have been coming for 10 years.  

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Walk the dogs. This is very different from walking your dogs at home. There is a variety of dogs, both in size and temperament. As the dogs at the Home are in an unfamiliar environment, volunteers need to show additional consideration and kindness.
• Participate in basic training of our dogs.
• Attend dog training seminars and workshops.
• Spend time playing, training, grooming or just sitting quietly with the dog in its kennel.
• Socialise our dogs.
• Participate in the environmental enrichment of our animals. Brighten the day of our animals by relieving their boredom and stress.
• Spend time with the cats.
• Complete relevant records for our animals e.g. health reports, dog log.
• Comply with the animal hygiene required in the shelter e.g. cleaning up dog waste, use of antiseptic gel for germ control.
• Work as part of a team.
• Other duties as advised by staff.

     BENEFITS TO BE GAINED FOR THE VOLUNTEER

• Hands on contact with animals.
• The joy a lick, a wagging tail, a game and a purr gives you.
• Inner satisfaction experienced by improving the animal’s life while at the Home.
• Pleasure experienced when animals are re-homed.
• Meet and work with other people who share a love of animals.
• Benefits of physical activity.

VOLUNTEER PROCESS

• Read the online information about volunteering at SDCH.
• Read the Volunteer Agreement.
• Download a volunteer application form or obtain one from SDCH’s Office.
• Visit SDCH to become familiar with the environment you will be working in and ascertain if you live within a reasonable travelling distance of the Home.  Will you be able to travel this distance weekly/fortnightly for a minimum of 6 months?
• Fill in and submit your volunteer application form when visiting the Home.
• Be considered for and attend an interview.
• If successful at the interview attend a 3 hour orientation session.

If you would like to proceed with your application, please download and complete a Sydney Dogs and Cats Home Volunteer Application Form and a Volunteeer Agreement Form. These forms are to returned to the volunteer liaison officer or reception staff at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home on the day you visit. It must be received and signed before your informal interview can be arranged. Any further enquires please call our staff on (02) 9587 9611.