Volunteer

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.
• Previous experience handling large dogs is desirable but not required for dog handling programs (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:

1. Fill out the online volunteer application. 
   • Create your volunteer account and complete the application. If you can't finsih it all at once, you can log back in any time to continue. 
2. Application Review
   • Our team will review your application and will follow up by email if your application and availability match the shelter's needs.
   • Due to the high volume of applications, we may not be able to to place all applicants. Pease 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.  

Internship Program Plan for Shelter Behaviorist Intern

1. Program Overview

• Title: Shelter Behavior Internship
• Supervisor: Anna Sernau, Seattle Animal Shelter Behaviorist, MSc Applied Animal Behavior and Animal Welfare
• Location: Seattle Animal Shelter, 2061 15th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119
• Duration: 3 months
• Time Commitment: 10 hours per week
• Compensation: Unpaid internship. Will receive certificate of completion upon completion of program. A letter of recommendation may also be included based on performance. If intern is enrolled in a university course, there may be an opportunity to work with the university for course credit.

2. Purpose & Goals

• Mission Statement: The mission of the Seattle Animal Shelter is to foster safe, healthy, & caring relationships between people & animals in our communities. We provide a safe space for pets in need by caring for abandoned, abused and homeless animals of Seattle. As a behavior intern, you will play an integral role in supporting the behavioral health and overall well-being of shelter animals. You will assist in the implementation of behavior management and modification plans aimed at reducing stress, addressing maladaptive behaviors, and enhancing adoptability. Your work will help prepare animals for successful placement in homes and reduce the risk of return by promoting positive, sustainable behavior changes during their stay in our care.

Internship Goals:

• Provide practical experience in shelter animal behavior and welfare.
• Develop professional skills in behavior assessment, training, and documentation.
• Support intern’s career development in animal behavior and shelter work. 

3. Learning Objectives

• Identify and assess canine/feline body language and stress signals.
• Conduct behavior evaluations using shelter protocols.
• Assist in implementing behavior modification plans.
• Track behavior changes and document progress using shelter software.
• Collaborate with volunteers, adopters, and other staff on behavior-related concerns.

4. Responsibilities

• Observe and report on shelter animal behavior.
• Assist with data entry or progress notes.
• Create and provide enrichment.
• Assist in dog walking and playgroups.
• Conduct behavior modification training sessions.
• Shadow behavior evaluations, behavior consults, and adoption counseling.

5. Training & Supervision

• Onboarding/Orientation: 
  • Tour of facility
  • Introduction to safety protocols
  • Overview of behavior department and procedures
• Ongoing Training:
  • Weekly 1:1 supervisor meetings
  • Assigned readings, videos, virtual trainings (e.g., Fear Free Shelter Program, LIMA principles)
• Feedback:
  • Midpoint evaluation
  • Final evaluation with written feedback
  • Intern self-evaluation

6. Projects and Deliverables

• Create, implement, and track behavior modification plan for at least one cat and one dog.
• Intern will work with Behaviorist to design a final project. They will be encouraged to share this project at an all-staff meeting.

7. Qualifications

• At least 18 years old
• Animal handling experience
• Willing to work with animals with bite histories
• Preferred: Animal behavior coursework or certification (This can be college courses or university certifications in Animal Behavior or certifications/CEUs/ accreditations through the Animal Behavior Society, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Karen Prior Academy, etc.) 

8. Logistics

• Schedule: 10 hours / week for 3 months. Hours are flexible. Would suggest two five-hour shifts each week between 9:30 AM and 6 PM, Tuesdays through Saturdays.
• Transportation/Parking: Free parking available onsite. Shelter is located on the D Line bus route. 

9. Application Process

• Required materials: Resume, cover letter, 2 references
• Application Deadline: 1/30/26
• Internship Start Date: February or March 2026
• Email materials to anna.sernau@seattle.gov
• Interview process: one virtual interview, followed by an in-person practical interview for final candidates.