Our volunteers are the real heroes in helping all the animals in our care. Every day, they enrich the lives of cats, dogs, birds, horses, and small mammals waiting for their forever homes.
Our animals and staff welcome every volunteer, whether walking dogs, playing with cats, or just sitting quietly with a new rescue. Volunteers also support us at events throughout the community, sort through donations to the Ani-Meals Pet Pantry, photograph the animals, and provide expertise for many of our projects.
We’re grateful for all our dedicated helpers – they make a difference each and every day. We’d love to have you join us!!
For current volunteers
Volgistics Volunteer Logistics Program
HSFC uses this program for paper-free tracking of your service hours. You can enter hours on any mobile device. Log on here.
If you’d like to volunteer:
Please take a look at the opportunities below to find the kind of work that most interests you. Then complete the HSFC Volunteer on-line application by clicking this link. Or email volunteer_coordinator@HSFC.org.
It will take a few days for us to review your application and our volunteer coordinator will contact you as soon as possible.
Everyone must complete the New Volunteer Orientation. If you want to work with dogs or horses, you’ll need to attend the Farm Orientation.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. For more information on activities for offsite volunteering, click here.
If you have questions, contact our managers:
Main Office:
- pets@hsfc.org – Cats, small animals
- 703-385-7387 – Administrative Offices
- 703-385-3064 – Thrift Store
Farm
- Farm@hsfc.org – Horses and Dogs
Thrift Store
If you want to volunteer, but don’t feel comfortable working with shelter animals, the thrift store is a great option. We need people to help customers, accept donations, stock the store, and keep everything neat and attractive. You’ll work with a fun and dedicated group of staff and other volunteers.
When you’ve completed orientation, talk to HSFC managers on site to determine your schedule.
Administrative Support
Office volunteers help us with clerical tasks at the HSFC administrative office in Fairfax City. Your activities may include data entry, copying and filing, addressing and stuffing envelopes, and answering the phone.
Sometimes, we have special tasks such as flyer preparation or computer projects that you can do off-site.
We also need a handyman to make occasional small repairs or improvements at the Fairfax office, farm, and thrift stores.
Office volunteers are coordinated through the HSFC Office Manager in Fairfax.
Cat Related Volunteer Opportunities
These activities are coordinated through the HSFC Office Manager in Fairfax.
Cat Socializers: Help cats get adopted faster by keeping them clean and healthy. You’ll exercise, socialize, bathe, and groom our feline residents so they can be at their best for potential new families.
Cat Foster Opportunities: Some of our cats need a little time before moving on to their forever homes. Although foster cats are considered highly adoptable, they might be too young or need extra care for a while. We’re always looking for people willing to foster these kitties before they get adopted. When they’re ready, they’ll come back to the HSFC facility or attend adoption events to find their perfect families.
Cat Adoption Visits (Pre- or Post-Adoption): We want to make sure our animals go to safe homes and adjust well to their new families. As a volunteer, you may conduct home checks prior to adoption or follow-up shortly afterward to ensure a smooth transition to the new home.
Animal Transporter: If you have reliable transportation and proof of insurance, consider helping us take animals to and from vet appointments and adoption events. You may also help move incoming animals from other shelters and rescue organizations.
Small Mammal Volunteer Opportunities
These activities are coordinated through the HSFC Office Manager in Fairfax.
Small Mammal Socializers: Help small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs get adopted faster by keeping them clean and healthy. You’ll exercise, socialize, bathe, and groom our littlest residents so they can be at their best for potential new families.
Small Mammal Foster Opportunities: Some of our small animals need a little time before moving on to their forever homes. Although these fosters are considered highly adoptable, they might be too young or need extra care for a while. We’re always looking for people willing to care for these critters at home before they get adopted. When they’re ready, they’ll come back to the HSFC facility or attend adoption events to find their perfect families.
Horse and Dog Related Volunteering at the Farm
These activities are coordinated through the HSFC Farm Manager.
All new volunteers must attend a farm orientation before starting service hours. Group Orientations are held at our farm on a monthly basis. Please click here to check the calendar for updates.
Dog Socializing and Care: Help dogs get adopted faster by keeping them clean and healthy. You’ll exercise, socialize, bathe, and groom our pups so they can be at their best for potential new families.
Kennel Upkeep: We’re very proud of our new dog facility. Volunteers like you can help us keep it clean and well organized for our furry guests.
Dog Adoption Visits (Pre- or Post-Adoption): We want to make sure our animals go to safe homes and adjust well to their new families. As a volunteer, you may conduct home checks prior to adoption or follow-up shortly afterward to ensure a smooth transition to the new home.
Dog Foster Opportunities: Some of our dogs need a little time before moving on to their forever homes. Although these fosters are considered highly adoptable, they might be too young or need extra care for a while. We’re always looking for people willing to care for these pups at home before they get adopted. When they’re ready, they’ll come back to the HSFC facility or attend adoption events to find their perfect families.
Horse Care and Barn Upkeep: If you have horse experience, we need volunteers to help with grooming, feeding, and general care of the horses. We also need help cleaning the barn. Before starting this activity, you’ll need to take our training in HSFC policies and procedures for horse care.
Horse Adoption Visits (Pre- or Post-Adoption): We want to make sure our horses go to safe homes and adjust well to their new families. As a volunteer, you may conduct barn checks prior to adoption or follow-up shortly afterward to ensure a smooth transition.
Farm Grounds: If you love working outside in the open air, we need help with routine grounds maintenance. Tasks may include farm fence repairs, mowing, weed pulling, etc.
Events and Fundraisers
The Humane Society of Fairfax County holds several fundraising and special events throughout the year to increase awareness in the community. We always need volunteers to help these events run smoothly. You may assist with transportation, setup/take down, or event staffing.
Grant Opportunities
We’re always looking for grants that could support HSFC. If you love to write, we need volunteers to search for grants, conduct the research, and prepare the documents needed to pursue these awards.
By the way, anyone can search online for possible grant opportunities. And if you find something, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator right away.
Humane Education Events
Often, schools or groups such as The Lions’ Club are interested in having a speaker visit their meetings and share information about the organization. If you like public speaking and teaching others, contact us about participating in these informal presentations.
More ways to help . . .
- Neighborhood drives for needed supplies
- Pet food drives for the Ani-Meals Pet Pantry
- Volunteer activities for off-site
- Trap-Neuter-Return: Helping feral cats
Have other ideas? Click here to contact our volunteer coordinator.