Thank you for your interest in volunteering!
Our shelter runs on volunteers
The work Brightside accomplishes would not be possible without the dedication of volunteers. Dedicated volunteers are essential to our organization, and it is important to us that volunteering be a meaningful experience for everyone.
Getting started — required for all volunteers
- Sign up with the volunteer form on this page.
- Complete all required trainings that we send you after sign-up.
- Schedule your Foundation Shift: call Brightside at (555) 555-0150 to schedule your first shift, where you’ll get a tour of the facility, meet our staff and begin your core volunteer hours. This must be completed before you begin independent shifts.
- Complete 3 core hours: helping with laundry, dishes, cat socializing, dog socializing, making enrichment for the animals, posters, data entry, etc.
- Attend Volunteer Orientation: held on the second Saturday of each month, where we go over dog handling information and complete a mentor walk with a dog and a staff member so you can begin helping us walk the dogs in our care.
- Log in and out every time you volunteer — you are responsible for tracking your own hours.
Volunteer hours
Volunteers are welcome any day, Monday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Calling ahead is recommended in case we don’t have dogs or cats to volunteer with.
Volunteers 13–17 years old
You may help with:
- Prepping enrichment treats
- Making treat bags, KONGs, and other enrichment items (supplies provided)
- Laundry (as needed)
- Making food bags for the Pet Pantry
- Cleaning and organizing the building
- Cleaning the Brightside van
If you are under 13 and wish to volunteer with dogs, your parent or guardian must complete sign-up and all required trainings, and an adult who has attended the volunteer orientation with you must be present during volunteering and hold the leash at all times.
Volunteers 18 and older
You may assist with:
- Laundry
- Cleaning dishes
- Prepping enrichment treats
- Playing with dogs in the yard
- Walking dogs around Anytown
- Laying with dogs in their rooms
- Socializing with cats
- Making food bags for the Pet Pantry
- Cleaning and organizing the building
- Cleaning the Brightside van
Sign up to volunteer
Interested in bringing a group? For groups of five or more, email info@example.com to reserve your group’s day and time. Requests must be scheduled 60 days prior to your requested date.
Ways kids can help!
Kids can make a big difference
Whether they love pets, enjoy helping others, or want to get involved with friends, there are many fun and meaningful ways to support Brightside.
Dine Out for Dogs (and Cats!)
Choose a local restaurant that offers fundraisers for purchases and invite friends and family. A portion of proceeds can be donated to Brightside.
Create Enrichment Treats
Pick up approved supplies from Brightside, gather friends at a safe off-site location, prepare enrichment treats, and drop them off for animals to enjoy.
Organize a Fundraiser
Host a bake sale, car wash, dog walk, yard sale, or read-a-thon. Promote your event and always get adult permission.
Recycling
Collect recyclable items and donate proceeds to Brightside.
Wish List
Donate items from the Brightside Wish List.
Coin Drive
Hold a classroom coin drive with teacher permission.
Birthday Parties
Ask friends to bring donations for Brightside instead of gifts.
Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Spay and neuter pets, provide proper care, and treat pets as family.
Spread the Word
Share animal welfare information through school and community projects.
Sponsor a Pet
Sponsor a pet for as little as $15 per week or $50 per month.
Parent & teacher note: adult supervision and permission are required for all activities. Please ensure safety at all times and coordinate with Brightside in advance when needed.
Donate
Our life-saving work is enabled through the generosity of donors like you
The pets of Brightside receive high-quality medical care, have access to specialty-level surgeries, participate in behavioral interventions, and enjoy a beautiful facility thanks to the support of our extended family of donors. Monetary donations provide us with the instant ability to fund essential medical care, finance emergency surgeries, provide behavioral support, and make vital improvements to our shelter facility.
One-time donation
Make a single gift to fund essential medical care today.
Recurring donation
A monthly gift gives our animals steady support all year.
Wishlist
Buy something from our shelter wishlist and have it delivered.
FURever Fund
Help cover emergency surgeries and specialty care.
Ready to give?
Call us at (555) 555-0150, email info@example.com, or give in person at the shelter, 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 95000. Donations are tax deductible; please confer with your tax professional as every portfolio is unique.
Donate items
Buy something from our shelter wishlist, or ask us what the animals need most right now and drop it off during open hours (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, closed for Quiet Hour 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM).
Ask what we needMemorials — create a lasting memory
Complete a memorial form and return it to info@example.com. You can also mail or drop off your completed form(s) to: Brightside Animal Rescue, 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 95000.
Please allow 7–10 days to process your order upon receipt and an additional 7–14 days to create and install. Brightside reserves the right to review inscriptions. Questions? Call (555) 555-0150.