Volunteering at BAS is rewarding and fun! 

Those hoping to complete Court or Lawyer mandated community service hours at BAS can learn more here. 

Steps to get started:

• Step 1:  Complete the Volunteer Application.
• Step 2: After you've submitted the application forms, you will receive an email containing our rules and procedures document, a liability and release form, and a short video to review and complete. Once done, please email our Program Manager, Sydney, to set up a day and time to begin your volunteering. 

What are the Volunteer Opportunities?

• Socialization/Enrichment - This involves walking, talking to, and playing with adoptable dogs and cats. These animals need exercise and attention. Volunteers can play with them in special areas at BAS and shower them with love and affection. A socialized cat or dog will become someone's pet much faster.
• Dog Obedience Training - Most BAS dogs are eager to learn their manners and would benefit from learning the basics of sit, stay, down, etc. Well-mannered dogs get adopted faster. If volunteers have any experience in obedience training, BAS welcomes them to help train BAS dogs.
• Grooming - Many BAS animals have not been cared for before coming to BAS. Their fur may be dirty, matted, or shaggy from seasonal shedding. Their chance for adoption increases greatly if they have been groomed.
• Pet Food Pantry Organization - Volunteers can help us organize our pet food pantry! We need help moving food to the storage area, organizing donations, closing open packages, and sorting out expired food.
• Photography - BAS posts pictures of all adoptable pets on different websites and can always use volunteer help in getting good photographs of animals.  
• Laundry - BAS staff need help washing, drying, and folding linens used for cleaning and in animal kennels.
• Fostering - Check out our foster page for information on how you can become a volunteer foster home for shelter pets. We offer both short-term and longer-term fostering opportunities.
• Special Events - BAS takes animals to special events such as adoption fairs, the Carousel Festival, Christmas parades, etc., and can use extra hands and helpers.
• Kitten & Cat Yoga Instructor - We need individuals who love yoga and animals and can teach 3 50-minute classes 1 to 3 Sundays a year. These classes help save more pet lives by raising funds for the BAS Medical Fund, which provides life-saving medical treatments to animals who come through our adoption center. If this sounds like you, apply today! The application can be found by clicking here.
• Pet/Wildlife Transport - We need help transporting animals to and from vet clinics or to wildlife rehabbers!
• Breaking Barriers Fence Build - The Humane Society of Alamance County is partnering with Burlington Animal Services to bring a new program to Alamance County pet parents in need - Breaking Barriers. This new program needs a handful of dedicated and cause-driven volunteers who can help build fences for people and dogs in need. We hope to build a fence twice monthly. The builds will be on Sunday mornings and will generally last two to three hours. Local shelters and rescues are brimming with dogs, and we also know how important dogs are to people. We want to work to help these families in need be able to keep their dogs. The work will be somewhat physically demanding. We will provide the tools and supplies and guidance. You do not need experience to do this; you just need to be willing to work and understand that this is beneficial for both the dogs and humans involved. If you are 18 or older, please complete this Breaking Barriers Volunteer Interest form. If you have any questions or concerns, please send me an email - sherron@burlingtonnc.gov. You can also learn more about the program and the upcoming build by visiting http://www.hsaconline.org/breaking-barriers.html.

Group Volunteering

We welcome groups to come in and assist us in our facility! We welcome groups of up to 14 people to assist us. If you would like to have your group volunteer with us, please complete the application found here.

• Pet Food Pantry Organization - Volunteers can help us organize our pet food pantry! We need help moving food to the storage area, organizing donations, closing open packages, and sorting out expired food.
• Enrichment - Groups of volunteers can come in and help us set up enrichment activities for our cats and dogs! Activities range from food activities (kongs, mats, etc.), to puzzles to sensory activities with scent!
• Breaking Barriers Fence Build - The Humane Society of Alamance County is partnering with Burlington Animal Services to bring a new program to Alamance County pet parents in need - Breaking Barriers. This new program needs a handful of dedicated and cause-driven volunteers who can help build fences for people and dogs in need. We hope to build a fence twice monthly. The builds will be on Sunday mornings and will generally last two to three hours. Local shelters and rescues are brimming with dogs, and we also know how important dogs are to people. We want to work to help these families in need be able to keep their dogs. The work will be somewhat physically demanding. We will provide the tools and supplies and guidance. You do not need experience to do this; you just need to be willing to work and understand that this is beneficial for both the dogs and humans involved. If you are 18 or older, please complete this Breaking Barriers Volunteer Interest form. If you have any questions or concerns, please send me an email - sherron@burlingtonnc.gov. You can also learn more about the program and the upcoming build by visiting http://www.hsaconline.org/breaking-barriers.html.

Community Programs

Don't have time to commit to volunteering? No problem! The programs below are additional options to be able to help our dogs without having to be a volunteer!

• Dog Day Out - Dog Day Out is a rolling program offered Monday - Saturday as a way for participants to foster an adoptable dog for one day. Participants can take these dogs to local parks, to downtown areas, etc! Learn more here. 
• Hikes with Hounds -Hikes with Hounds matches trained participants with shelter dogs on a once-a-month hike on local trails in Alamance County. Learn more here.

Volunteer Time Slots

Volunteers use a virtual scheduler to sign up for available times they want to volunteer. These slots are 2 hours long and have 2 per category (Cats Socializing, Dog Socializing, and Facility). Regular volunteer hours are: 

• Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
• Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
• Burlington Animal Services is closed to the public on Sundays and most holidays.