How to Help?

As a 100% volunteer-run organization, we are entirely dependent on the efforts of our volunteers and fosters and offer many opportunities to help our animals in need.

Apply Below

Volunteer Application

Volunteering with HELP For Pets is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them. By sharing your time and talents, you help us provide vital resources, support, and care for pets in need within our community. Together, we can create a brighter, safer, and more compassionate future for pets and the families who rely on them.

Foster Application

Fostering is a vital way to save lives and give pets a chance to thrive while they wait for their forever homes. By opening your heart and home, you provide comfort, safety, and love to an animal in need — and help us rescue more pets from the streets. Fostering is a rewarding experience that truly makes a difference, one life at a time.

Volunteer Opportunity Descriptions

Please view our available volunteer positions below:

Foster Volunteer

TNR Trapper

Colony Cat Feeder & Care

Adoption Counselor

Responsibilities

Provide daily care including feeding, litter box maintenance, and monitoring health and behavior.
Help socialize cats and kittens so they become comfortable with people and home environments.
Communicate updates, photos, and any medical or behavioral concerns to the rescue team.
Transport animals to scheduled veterinary appointments or adoption events when needed.
Work with the organization to prepare animals for adoption.

Requirements

Previous fostering or animal care experience preferred.
Fosters should indicate what type of fostering they are comfortable with (kittens, adult cats, socialization, or medical recovery).
Must have a separate, dedicated space to house foster animals away from personal pets.
Understand that rescue animals may arrive with unknown health histories and potential contagious illnesses.

Preferred Skills

Patience and experience with animal care.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued to help communicate with adopters and community members.

Responsibilities

Humanely trap community cats using approved trapping equipment.
Coordinate trapping schedules with veterinary appointments for spay/neuter.
Monitor traps to ensure the safety and welfare of trapped cats.
Safely transport trapped cats to designated holding areas or veterinary clinics.
Assist with returning cats to their outdoor homes after surgery and recovery.
Follow humane trapping and safety protocols established by H.E.L.P. For Pets, Inc.

Requirements

Ability to safely handle humane traps.
Must understand that feral cats may carry parasites or contagious illnesses.
Follow proper hygiene, sanitation, and biosecurity protocols after trapping.
Access to a vehicle capable of transporting large humane traps.
Ability to lift and move traps weighing at least 20 lbs.

Preferred Skills

Experience with animal handling or trapping.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued when communicating with community members and colony caregivers.

Responsibilities

Provide consistent feeding and fresh water to managed community cat colonies.
Monitor cats for illness, injuries, or new kittens.
Report non-ear-tipped cats for TNR scheduling.
Maintain clean and discreet feeding areas.

Requirements

Reliability with feeding schedules.
Understanding that colony locations are confidential.

Preferred Skills

Experience caring for outdoor cats.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued.

Responsibilities

Speak with potential adopters to learn about their lifestyle, experience with pets, and expectations.
Help match adopters with cats or kittens that are a good fit for their home.
Review and process adoption applications.
Contact and verify references including veterinary and personal references.
Communicate with applicants regarding approval status and next steps.
Assist with adoption paperwork and provide guidance to adopters.

Preferred Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Comfortable verifying references and speaking with applicants.
Organized and detail‑oriented.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are strongly preferred to better serve our diverse community.

Community Cat Liasion

Community Outreach & Engagement

Transport Volunteer

Volunteer Coordinator

Responsibilities

Communicate with residents and neighbors in areas where community cat colonies are present.
Educate the public about Trap‑Neuter‑Return (TNR) and its benefits.
Explain Project Eartip and ear‑tipping as identification of sterilized cats.
Help identify new colonies or unsterilized cats in need of TNR.
Distribute informational materials and assist with placing Managed Cat Colony signs.
Report new kittens, colony changes, or concerns to the rescue team.

Preferred Skills

Friendly and comfortable speaking with community members.
Strong communication and conflict‑resolution skills.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued.

Responsibilities

Represent H.E.L.P. For Pets, Inc. at community events and outreach initiatives.
Distribute educational materials about community cats, TNR, and responsible pet ownership.
Educate community members about the importance of spaying and neutering both cats and dogs.
Inform the public about H.E.L.P. For Pets, Inc.’s low‑cost spay/neuter program through affiliated veterinary partners.
Connect pet owners with resources for affordable veterinary care.
Assist with organizing educational workshops or informational sessions.

Preferred Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Comfortable speaking with the public.
Passion for animal welfare and community education.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued to reach more members of the community.

Responsibilities

Safely transport cats and kittens to and from veterinary appointments for spay/neuter, vaccinations, and medical care.
Assist with TNR transports, bringing humanely trapped community cats to spay/neuter clinics and returning them after recovery.
Transport cats between foster homes, adoption events, and veterinary clinics as needed.
Ensure animals are safely secured in carriers or traps during transport.
Communicate with the volunteer coordinator regarding scheduling, pick-up, and drop-off times.

Requirements

Reliable vehicle and valid driver’s license.
Ability to lift carriers or traps (approximately 20–30 lbs).
Dependability and punctuality for scheduled appointments.
Comfort transporting animals in carriers or humane traps.

Preferred Skills

Strong communication skills.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued to help serve members of our community.

Responsibilities

Recruit and onboard new volunteers.
Serve as the main point of contact for volunteer communication.
Match volunteers with appropriate roles within the organization.
Coordinate volunteer schedules for events and rescue needs.
Maintain volunteer contact lists and availability.

Preferred Skills

Strong organizational and leadership skills.
Ability to coordinate multiple volunteers and tasks.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued.

Social Media & Marketing

Fundraising Volunteer

Grant Writer

Administrative Volunteer

Responsibilities

Create and schedule social media posts for platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Promote adoptable pets, adoption events, TNR initiatives, and fundraising campaigns.
Assist with graphic design, flyers, and promotional materials.
Help grow online engagement and community awareness.

Preferred Skills

Experience with social media platforms.
Basic graphic design or content creation skills.
Passion for storytelling and animal welfare.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued to help expand outreach within our community.

Responsibilities

Assist with planning and supporting fundraising campaigns and events.
Promote donation drives, sponsorships, and community fundraising initiatives.
Assist with donor outreach and engagement.
Support fundraising communications and promotional materials.

Preferred Skills

Strong communication and organizational skills.
Experience with event planning or outreach.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued.

Responsibilities

Research grant opportunities related to animal welfare and nonprofit programs.
Write and submit grant proposals on behalf of H.E.L.P. For Pets, Inc.
Gather supporting information such as program data, budgets, and impact statements.
Track grant deadlines and submission requirements.
Assist with grant reporting when required.

Requirements

Previous grant writing experience required.
Strong writing, research, and organizational skills.
Experience working with nonprofit organizations preferred.

Preferred Skills

Experience using GrantStation or similar grant research platforms preferred.
Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued.

Responsibilities

Monitor and respond to voicemail messages received through the organization’s phone line.
Respond to incoming emails and direct inquiries to appropriate team members.
Track and follow up on action items such as spay/neuter requests, foster inquiries, and volunteer interest.
Maintain organized records of communications and requests.
Assist with administrative tasks that support programs and operations.

Preferred Skills

Strong organizational and communication skills.
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams).
Ability to manage multiple requests and follow‑ups.
Spanish or Portuguese language skills are highly valued.

Open Your Heart, Change a Life

Volunteering and fostering with HELP For Pets, Inc. are rewarding ways to make a difference for animals in need. By sharing your time, skills, or home, you help cats and kittens feel safe, loved, and cared for as they await their forever homes. It’s a chance to save lives, support your community, and experience the joy of knowing you’ve made a lasting impact — one paw at a time.