Person smiling at a dog they're petting

Volunteer to help animals in your community

Our lifesaving work around the country is made possible by kind and compassionate people like you — people who generously give their time to transport, foster, and volunteer with the animals in so many ways.

Wherever you live, there are countless ways to volunteer and make a lifesaving difference for dogs and cats in your community. And thousands of Best Friends Network Partners all over the country are all eager to have your help.

Our dedicated volunteers ― caring people like you ― are key in helping to Save Them All. Join us as a volunteer today.

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Ways to volunteer in your community

No matter where you live, you can help save the lives of cats and dogs.

Person holding two boxes containing community cats ready to release

Care for cats in your community

With your help, we can humanely decrease the community cat population and save the lives of more cats.
Help save cats
Two smiling people on a lawn next to a dog they're petting

Advocate for pets near you

If you want your community to be a better place for pets and people, joining the 2025 Action Team can help you make it a reality.
Advocate for animals
Smiling person next to a parked van moving a pet carrier with a bird in it

Transport homeless pets to safety

Help move pets from overcrowded shelters to regions of the country where they have a much greater chance of being adopted.
Transport pets to safety
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Volunteer with Best Friends

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Contribute to improving the lives of the animals who call Best Friends their home-between-homes.
Woman petting goats

Best Friends in Los Angeles

Volunteering is an incredibly fun, fulfilling and personal way to help save homeless pets in LA.
Woman sitting with dog on porch

Best Friends in Salt Lake City

For animals waiting to go home in Salt Lake City, your kindness makes all the difference.
Man holding cat in shelter

Best Friends in New York

You can make a tremendous impact on the lives of homeless pets in New York City as a volunteer.
Volunteer with large black dog in NY center

Best Friends in Northwest Arkansas

You can help in so many ways at our pet resource center and in the Northwest Arkansas community.
Volunteer sitting with dog outside

Best Friends in Houston

You can make a difference for the cats and dogs in Houston with the gift of your time.
Woman with beagle type dog outdoors

If you're not sure which opportunity would be the best fit for you, email bfvolweb@bestfriends.org and someone from the team will contact you. 

Volunteer for a Best Friends Network Partner near you

The Best Friends Network is made up of thousands of public and private shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations, and other animal welfare groups across the country, all working to save the lives of dogs and cats in communities like yours. 

Each and every one of our network partners needs caring volunteers like you to help save the lives of pets where you live. 

Find a network partner near you today:

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True tales of lifesaving from around the U.S.

Here’s what some of our dedicated volunteers are doing to support Best Friends' lifesaving work across the nation.

Ricky Bowry with a dog

7 days, 7 marathons: Helping pets and people

A team of athletes is adventuring across Utah to challenge themselves and raise funds for causes they love, including Best Friends.
They're raising thousands of dollars
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Michelle Hood with Benton the dog

Rescued dog helps marathoner chase Six Star dream

Adopting Benton gave him a second chance and helped Michelle accomplish her biggest running goal.
Adoption inspires woman to give back in a bigger way
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Two people petting a happy puppy

Celebrating the heart of Best Friends: Volunteers

Volunteers with Best Friends give their time, energy, and love to help animals thrive.
Recognizing the incredible individuals who give so much
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Dr. Christina Boekhout holding Stone Cold the cat who is wearing a protective e-collar

Faces of No-Kill: Cat noses way into vet’s heart

During Stone Cold’s time in treatment for a hole in his nose, this charming gray tabby won over everyone he met — including his surgeon.
Now he's found love
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Jessa the dog with her adopters outside in some dried grass

Faces of No-Kill: Storybook ending for a senior dog

An 11-year-old dog left a couple spellbound when they met her at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Now, she’s queen of their castle.
Jessa has her happily ever after
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Rainbow the dog, smiling with mouth open

Faces of No-Kill: Solutions for dog with special needs

From a neurological condition and seizures to a penchant for pebbles, Rainbow has a lot going on — but her main concern is having fun with friends.
Her personality now shines
Best Friends Magazine
Smiling person sitting on the ground next to a dog while hugging it

More ways to help the animals

As thousands of animals looking for families of their very own remain in shelters around the country, one of the most valuable gifts you can give them is your time.
See all the ways you can volunteer