Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! SAS's mission of promoting the humane and compassionate treatment of people and animals through equity, innovation and collaboration cannot be achieved without the support of our volunteers.
SAS has numerous volunteer positions available in-shelter and remotely! We will be continuously developing new programs to better support the shelter. Some of our positions have limited availability and they will be visible below when available.
Questions? Email FAS_volunteer@seattle.gov
Volunteer opportunities exist in the following areas:
The Seattle Animal Shelter strives to have an enjoyable, innovative, and organized volunteer program that benefits the animals and animal-lovers of Seattle. Volunteers work 365 days a year and we are grateful for their dedication. To volunteer at the shelter, volunteers must:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Commit to a weekly, scheduled two-hour shift for six consecutive months of service.
- Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for long periods.
- Attend required training classes.
- Be able to work independently without direct supervision.
- Have previous experience handling large dogs if applying for a dog handling program (like Dog Walking, Get Fit with Fido).
We receive a high volume of applications and have limited openings. You are more likely to get a volunteer shift if you have experience with those animals and have weekday availabillity.
Volunteer application
Complete our online volunteer profile.
Below is our onboarding and training process for all onsite dog, cat, critter, and support programs:
- Complete the online volunteer application. Please only apply if you are able to complete a six-month commitment of weekly 2-hour shifts.
- You will receive a link for the SAS Volunteer Orientation. Read it and complete the quiz that is linked at the end.
- After receiving your completed orientation quiz, we will review it and your application. If your application and availability match the shelter's needs, you will be invited by email to train for a volunteer position. We receive a high volume of applications, so please allow a few weeks to receive this email.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us!
Foster Program
Fostering is not a lifetime commitment… it’s a commitment to saving lives. There is not a more personal and impactful way to help animals than by becoming a foster hero to a pet in need.
So, what is fostering?
Fostering means opening your heart and home to shelter a pet and giving them the love and care they deserve in a less stressful environment than SAS. Foster periods can be as short as an afternoon or as long as the animal needs to find their new home. Fostering is fun, rewarding, and can quite literally change the life of a shelter pet. And who knows? It might change yours, too.
An animal may need a foster home for a variety of reasons including age, illness, injuries, and socialization, or to help provide needed space at the shelters for incoming animals. Foster parents provide a clean, safe, loving environment for the animals in their homes. Fostering also gives us an opportunity to better understand how a pet behaves in a home environment, allowing us to better prepare adopters with realistic expectations and specific recommendations.
Every animal can benefit from a foster home but here are some examples of pets we would prioritize for foster placement:
- Kittens and puppies that are too young for adoption, with or without a nursing mom
- Animals that are not thriving in the shelter environment
- Cats and dogs with special needs (behavioral and/or medical)
Apply to become a foster care volunteer today! Complete our online volunteer profile and select "Foster Care Volunteer" as your program preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do foster cases last?
It completely depends on the animal and the situation. The average stay in a foster home is about 2 months. However, kittens and puppies get adopted quickly, other pets may stay longer.
What supplies are needed to foster? How much will it cost?
We provide all needed supplies and medical care. Foster parents provide a safe space, care and love for the pet.
If I have my own animals, can I foster?
Yes! We can help find the best match for your household and lifestyle and provide information on introducing pets. For cats we require that your resident cat(s) and the foster cat(s) be kept separate for at least 14 days before any introductions are attempted.
I have children, can they participate in the process?
Yes! Family participation is allowed and encouraged. The registered foster volunteer must be 18 years old or older and will need to be the primary point of contact, caretaker, and advocate for the animal throughout their entire foster stay. Fostering is a wonderful family experience!
Can I adopt my foster Pet?
YES! As long as foster parents meet the shelter requirements necessary for adoption, foster parents have first choice to adopt their foster pet.
How can I help my foster Pet become more adoptable?
Your foster pet will be posted for adoption on our website and featured on our social media pages. To make them stand out from the crowd we rely on you to take good quality photos and videos and share details about their personality in their adoption bio. Your foster pet can also attend our community adoption events. We encourage you to share all their positive qualities on your social media and with friends and family.