[September 16, 2026]
Our volunteers work hard year-round at the Adoption Center and Thrift Shop, running errands, taking pups on days out, providing transport, fostering, and helping out in so many other ways that, quite honestly, we don’t know how we would cope without them! We could always do with having more volunteers come join us. The more help we have, the more we can achieve, and the more lives we get to save. The need is ongoing and grows daily. We currently have the greatest need for help in the areas outline below, but it’s always great to have more dog walkers, cat cuddlers, events help, and anything else you’d like to offer.
Cat Care Attendants at Petco
We are looking for some volunteers to help once a week, and a few volunteers to help as needed, with our kitties at Petco in Clermont. We especially need help on Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings. Each member of our volunteer team typically goes to Petco for one AM or PM shift a week to clean the condos, scoop litter, feed, and give the cats some love and socialization. Fill-ins help as needed when regular volunteers are sick/out of town. Having our cats on display at Petco helps them get adopted significantly faster, and we couldn’t do it without our team of dedicated volunteers! If you’d be interested in joining the team, please complete the volunteer application form.
Transport Volunteers
The more volunteers we have to transport rescues to the adoption center, the quicker we can act to help. Taking dogs and cats for their spay or neuter appointment also plays a vital part in the adoption process. Transport requests are posted in a closed group on Facebook. They cover a variety of days and times, and may be known well in advance, or could be an attempt to make use of more last minute appointment availability. There is never any pressure on any individual to fill the transport request, but if you have your own vehicle and think you may be able to help out, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Thrift Store Assistants
Our thrift shop in Clermont could use some more volunteer help on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons, as well as mornings and afternoons on Saturday and Sunday. Please complete a volunteer application form to apply, or if you have any questions, stop in or call the store on (352) 394-1818 and speak with Jeff, the manager. Volunteering at the thrift store begins with two training days to become comfortable with both the register and the departments. The store is our main source of income, so any and all help is greatly appreciated to keep it running.
Fosters
Fostering saves lives. When you welcome a foster pet into your home, you help prepare them for adoption by giving them care, comfort, and love. Whatever time and space you have in your home, we have a foster pet who could use your help! We’re currently seeking fosters for dogs and cats of all ages (including puppies, kittens, adults, and seniors), as well as litters, moms with babies, and pets recovering from surgery.
What do you need to do to become a new foster?
- Complete the volunteer application form online and attend a volunteer orientation day, where you will meet some of the team and learn the basics of volunteering. After completing this training, you are free to participate in any of our volunteering activities but there is no requirement to do so if you only wish to foster.
- Attend a foster orientation with Shannon, sign some paperwork, and either Shannon or one of our other foster volunteers will come out to your home for a visit. The home check is an important part of the process, but it’s really just to see what your environment is like, where the pet might be staying, what your yard is like, etc. to make sure that we send you the foster pet that would be the best fit, both for your needs and theirs.
“Volunteers help in so many different ways. They walk dogs, snuggle and care for cats, foster pets who need a little extra love, showcase our adoptable pets at events, work at our thrift store, help maintain our facility, and more. It all makes a difference, and together, these everyday efforts help keep our shelter pets happy, healthy, and one step closer to finding their forever homes.”
Shannon Lusk, Volunteer & Events Coordinator (pictured with Baloo, currently available for adoption)
If you have any questions, ideas, or would like further information about volunteering, Shannon would be glad to hear from you. You can reach out to her through the contact form on our website or, if you spot us out and about or you are attending an event, Shannon and our volunteers will be happy to chat to you about volunteering or any other aspect of our mission at The Animal League. Further information can be found on our volunteer pages and, if you’re already persuaded to join us, please register your interest by completing a volunteer application form.
Thank you for keeping our work in your hearts, and your active involvement in bringing second chances to the neglected and abused.
