VOLUNTEER

Volunteers are the core of our shelter operations. Thanks to our dedicated volunteer base, our animals are cared for while they wait for their forever families. If you would like to make a difference for our  animals, fill out an application today!

Cat Handler

woman in grey shirt and glasses with brown cat

Responsibilities:

  • Socialize cats through interaction and play with toys
  • Prepare cat food and medicine
  • Clean cat living spaces and assist with shelter chores as necessary (e.g., dishes, laundry)

Requirements:

  • Must be 16 years or older
  • Be able to commit to a weekly 3-hour shift for at least 6 months
  • Willing to begin as a trainee before advancing to the first certification level
  • Perform physical tasks including climbing on and off a step stool and bending down to clean cages

Volunteer shifts | 611 South Blvd:

  • Weekday Mornings: 9:00 – 11:00am
  • Weekday Evening: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
  • Weekend Morning: 9:00 – 11:00am
  • Weekend Evening: 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Dog Handler

man in red shirt with brown dog

Responsibilities:

  • Walk and socialize dogs, including play and positive reinforcement training
  • Prepare dog food and medicine
  • Clean dog living spaces and assist with shelter chores as necessary (e.g., dishes, laundry)

Requirements:

  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Be able to commit to a weekly 3-hour shift for at least 6 months
  • Willing to begin as a trainee before advancing to the first certification level
  • Must be able to lift 50 lbs
  • Must be able to walk 1-2 miles per shift

Volunteer Shifts | 2222 Oakton St:

  • Weekday Evenings: 6:00 – 9:00pm
  • Weekend Mornings: Saturday 8:30 – 11:30am & Sunday 9:00am – 12:00pm
  • Weekend Evenings: 4:30 – 7:30pm

Group Volunteer Opportunities

Group of people sitting in a storage room

 

We appreciate you considering Evanston Animal Shelter for your volunteering event! We welcome corporate, school, and other volunteering groups to help keep our shelter clean, organized, and tidy and our animals happy and enriched.

What to expect:

  • Group volunteering events typically run between 2-3 hours
  • Volunteers may participate in any of the following:
    • Organize and clean common areas of the shelter, including hallways, windows, etc.
    • Run laundry and dishwashers
    • Load / unload / organize supplies and donations
    • Socialize with adoptable cats and dogs
  • Be ready to spend the majority of the time cleaning and doing other needed shelter tasks, with time at the end to spend with the animals
  • For your safety, members of the group must follow all written and verbal instructions from staff

Hear from our volunteers

woman with black and white cat on lap
“I started volunteering with EAS several years ago and have participated in many activities over the years. My main focus these days is driving cats and dogs to vet appointments and also volunteering with the pet pantry which provides supplies to pet owners who need some assistance. Playing with, and socializing cats and kittens during pantry hours is a huge bonus and I think I enjoy it as much as they do! Volunteering with EAS is rewarding on so many levels!”
man in hat with white dog
"I first became aware of the Evanston Animal Shelter in 2015 when my wife Jennifer and I adopted our dog, Oliver. We began volunteering there in 2018, and since then, we've welcomed another dog, Sunny, and two cats, Roger and Kobe, into our family. Knowing this wonderful organization has been a true blessing. The Evanston Animal Shelter is dedicated to helping countless cats and dogs through both good times and bad. Their commitment to the community through programs like custodial care, the pet food pantry, and other initiatives is truly inspiring. It's remarkable how such a small organization can make such a significant impact."
blonde woman with kitten
“The mighty Evanston Animal Shelter has altered the path of my life in all of the best ways. My journey started with EAS in 2015, when I adopted a 12-year old cat that stole my heart, Walter. We have fostered nearly 100 animals since 2019. I have learned the importance of fostering, adopting, volunteering, fundraising, and developing a commitment to  both animal and human welfare. I learned to trap, neuter and care for both feral and community cats. EAS is special to me, to my friends and family, and it is indispensable to our community. The fact that our shelter can do so much with so little is a testament to the incredible people who run it. I cannot imagine my life without this experience. I plan to volunteer, and recruit volunteers, foster, fundraise and adopt, for the rest of my life. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity I have been given.”
man and woman playing with brown puppy
“The Evanston Animal Shelter (EAS) is a very special place for both the animals and the volunteers. My husband and I joined the dog volunteers in July 2023, right after we moved to Evanston from out of state. As we get involved in more activities, we are more and more astonished by the variety of ways EAS advocates for the animals’ well-being. Every dog gets 4 walks every day, we play and cuddle with them, and we have a part-time trainer to help us work on behavioral issues. In our opinion, EAS’ distinguishing characteristic is that love drives every single action. All the staff will always go the extra mile to advocate for the dogs, get them the best possible life while they are at the shelter, and place them with a family that fits their personality and needs. Since volunteering at EAS, we found a gorgeous community that has become family. Our favorite day of the week is when we go to our shift or participate in a shelter activity. We adopted a second dog, and our hearts cannot be fuller of love.”
woman in purple shirt with black dog
“When I moved to Evanston, I was looking for a nearby shelter to volunteer for since my previous one was now too far away. Every shift I’ve volunteered at EAS I’ve left feeling connections between the lovely dogs and people alike. Spending a few hours a week at the shelter gave me the confidence to adopt my own dog and I’ve been able to make friends along the way.”
"The Evanston Animal Shelter is one of my happy places. I have volunteered here for several years, and find it so fulfilling and fun to interact with the cats, develop relationships with them, brainstorm ways to help with any behavioral issues, and ultimately see them happy in their new homes. Even the routine chores feel more pleasant than you might imagine! Over time, in addition to my weekly shift, I've added facilitating a program with a local mental health agency, and adoption counseling. And it's not only the cats; interaction with the people here, with our shared interests and outlook, is part of the valuable experience."
"The Evanston Animal Shelter is one of my happy places. I have volunteered here for several years, and find it so fulfilling and fun to interact with the cats, develop relationships with them, brainstorm ways to help with any behavioral issues, and ultimately see them happy in their new homes. Even the routine chores feel more pleasant than you might imagine! Over time, in addition to my weekly shift, I've added facilitating a program with a local mental health agency, and adoption counseling. And it's not only the cats; interaction with the people here, with our shared interests and outlook, is part of the valuable experience."
man bending down towards black dog
“The short answer for why I volunteer at EAS is I love dogs. So, when I was looking for an opportunity to give back to the Evanston community, I stopped by the EAS one evening I inquired as to how to get started being a volunteer. There was a brief orientation session and then the following week I showed up on Monday night and I have been here ever since. It will be 8 years in November! I knew I would like the dogs, but being a bit of an introvert, I was not sure how I would handle the people. Haha! No worries! Dog people are great people and I soon came to look forward to seeing both the dogs and the other volunteers every week.”
woman playing with grey cat
"As a EAS cat volunteer, I have the unique honor of being part of a team of official ear-scratchers, treat-givers, and wand wagglers extraordinaire. I've almost mastered the art of deciphering meows into meaningful conversation and have become a pro at dodging the occasional playful swat. From orchestrating grand feather-chasing adventures to offering the coziest lap for a socializing snooze, my life as a cat volunteer is a whirlwind of feline frolic and furry fun. Who else gets paid in head bumps and whisker tickles?"
women in red hat with grey and white dog
“I started volunteering in May of 2023 after I found out my own dog was terminally ill. When my dog passed away in Fall 2023 I started fostering Dave as well to have a companion while I was grieving. Volunteering and fostering has really helped me connect and make friendships in Evanston as well as help give me a purpose outside of my stressful career. EAS has changed my life and everyday I’m so thankful to be a very small part of such a truly great organization! Getting exercise and helping these dogs who are so down on their luck is so rewarding I would recommend it to anyone!”
woman in white shirt with small grey dog
"Volunteering with Evanston Animal Shelter has given me much needed purpose and fulfillment after my beloved shelter dog passed away. In the short 6 months I’ve been here, I’ve bonded with the dogs and humans alike and have found a tremendous sense of community. I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of this shelter and happily pour my time and love into kennel shifts, adoption counseling, and even opening my home to foster spunky little Gladys. Every dog, cat, and person who finds their way to EAS has hit the jackpot!"
Woman with glasses and pink hair holding kitten
"I started volunteering at EAS when I was in college and needed something to do for the summer - I figured playing with cats sounded like a pretty good deal. I had no idea that the shelter would become such an integral part of my life, and 8 years later here I still am! I knew nothing about cats to start with, but I learned so much from my fellow volunteers, and my weekly shift quickly became something I always look forward to. It's by no means a glamorous job - you'll be scooping litter, cleaning cages, doing dishes and laundry, all that fun stuff. But it is incredibly rewarding to be able to make a difference in these animals' lives. Some of them do come to us with injuries, illnesses, or maybe they're just plain scared - but EAS goes above and beyond for every single furry friend that walks through our doors. Not only has the shelter given me a wonderful sense of community, but also two beloved senior kitties - both foster fails! I'm most definitely grateful to have EAS in my life."
woman in pink shirt holding brown puppy
“When I started volunteering at EAS in 2021, I was just looking for a place to pet some dogs while I was attending college, away from my furry family. I had no idea how much this place would come to mean to me; the dogs are obviously amazing, but I’ve really stayed for the community. Coming here one night a week for the last few years has given me stability, friendships, and a sense of belonging. I absolutely could not love EAS any more, and I am so grateful for all of the wonderful dogs and people I have met here!”
"I started volunteering with EAS in October of 2024. I had just moved to Evanston and my dog recently passed away. I was looking for a place where I could both interact with animals and build a community within Evanston, and EAS delivered on both fronts! My favorite part of volunteering is being able to build a bond with the dogs– we usually try to have people walk the same dogs week to week and seeing them grow in confidence and learn new skills before they go to a home is so rewarding"
"I started volunteering with EAS in October of 2024. I had just moved to Evanston and my dog recently passed away. I was looking for a place where I could both interact with animals and build a community within Evanston, and EAS delivered on both fronts! My favorite part of volunteering is being able to build a bond with the dogs– we usually try to have people walk the same dogs week to week and seeing them grow in confidence and learn new skills before they go to a home is so rewarding"