Opportunities From: Alachua County

Volunteer: Doggy Day Out

At ACAR, we strive to get our dogs as much time outside of the shelter as possible to give them a break from the stress of the kennels and to get better behavior notes to get a more accurate depiction of who the dog is outside of this environment. We welcome our volunteers to take a dog on an offsite adventure to any dog-friendly location of their choosing (with the exception of off-leash dog parks). This includes nature trails, stores, restaurants, even your house! If you want to keep the adventure going, our volunteers can also take the dog home for a doggy sleepover and return the next day. All supplies will be provided. 


Requirements:

No dog parksDog must remain on a leash while outdoorsVolunteer must have access to reliable transportationDogs should be kept separate from unknown animalsHave fun!


How to participate:

Sign up to become an ACAR volunteer by creating an accountComplete a Hands-On Training SessionOnce you have been trained, you can participate in Doggy Day Out anytime we are open to the public! Dogs can be picked up after 10:30am Tuesday through Saturday and can return to us by 5:00pm.

Program: Animal Resources

At ACAR, we strive to get our dogs as much time outside of the shelter as possible to give them a break from the stress of the kennels and to get better behavior notes to get a more accurate depiction of who the dog is outside of this environment. We welcome our volunteers to take a dog on an offsite adventure to any dog-friendly location of their choosing (with the exception of off-leash dog parks). This includes nature trails, stores, restaurants, even your house! If you want to keep the adventure going, our volunteers can also take the dog home for a doggy sleepover and return the next day. All supplies will be provided. 


Requirements:

No dog parksDog must remain on a leash while outdoorsVolunteer must have access to reliable transportationDogs should be kept separate from unknown animalsHave fun!


How to participate:

Sign up to become an ACAR volunteer by creating an accountComplete a Hands-On Training SessionOnce you have been trained, you can participate in Doggy Day Out anytime we are open to the public! Dogs can be picked up after 10:30am Tuesday through Saturday and can return to us by 5:00pm.

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Flexible

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Dog Walking - PM Shift

This opportunity focuses on walking and rotating dogs either through our play yard or on the walking trail. This shift is in the afternoons from 3:00pm - 5:00pm.

Requirements

- Completion of Hands-On Training session

- Long pants and close-toed shoes

Highly Recommend 

- Water bottle

- Treat pouch (we can provide treats)

- Poop bags (we can provide dependent on supply)

Program: Animal Resources

This opportunity focuses on walking and rotating dogs either through our play yard or on the walking trail. This shift is in the afternoons from 3:00pm - 5:00pm.

Requirements

- Completion of Hands-On Training session

- Long pants and close-toed shoes

Highly Recommend 

- Water bottle

- Treat pouch (we can provide treats)

- Poop bags (we can provide dependent on supply)

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Dog Walking - AM Shift

This opportunity focuses on walking and rotating dogs either through our play yard or on the walking trail. This shift is in the mornings from 8am-10am. 

Requirements

- Completion of Hands-On Training session

- Long pants and close-toed shoes

Highly Recommend 

- Water bottle

- Treat pouch (we can provide treats)

- Poop bags (we can provide dependent on supply)

Program: Animal Resources

This opportunity focuses on walking and rotating dogs either through our play yard or on the walking trail. This shift is in the mornings from 8am-10am. 

Requirements

- Completion of Hands-On Training session

- Long pants and close-toed shoes

Highly Recommend 

- Water bottle

- Treat pouch (we can provide treats)

- Poop bags (we can provide dependent on supply)

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Cat Cleaning AM

For those that prefer the cuddly kitties, we have a chance for you to help staff clean our adoptable cats. We will provide training and and support until you feel comfortable to do it yourself. You're welcome to provide enrichment while you clean and play with them once the cleaning is done. This is will be highly appreciated and needed during kitten season (March-November). Cleaning times will be Tuesday - Saturday from 8am-10am. We want our kitties looking and feeling their best before our adopters come in! 
Hands-On Training Session Required before signing up.

Program: Animal Resources

For those that prefer the cuddly kitties, we have a chance for you to help staff clean our adoptable cats. We will provide training and and support until you feel comfortable to do it yourself. You're welcome to provide enrichment while you clean and play with them once the cleaning is done. This is will be highly appreciated and needed during kitten season (March-November). Cleaning times will be Tuesday - Saturday from 8am-10am. We want our kitties looking and feeling their best before our adopters come in! 
Hands-On Training Session Required before signing up.

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Foster Coordinator Aid

Have you ever been curious about what goes into a foster program? This is a great way to learn! You can aid the Foster Program Coordinator with prepping supplies, gathering pictures and information for foster pleas, and helping with sending animals into their new temporary home. Hands-On Training Session Required before signing up.

Program: Animal Resources

Have you ever been curious about what goes into a foster program? This is a great way to learn! You can aid the Foster Program Coordinator with prepping supplies, gathering pictures and information for foster pleas, and helping with sending animals into their new temporary home. Hands-On Training Session Required before signing up.

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Cat Cuddler

Program: Animal Resources

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Flexible

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Dog Wrangler

Program: Animal Resources

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Flexible

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Hands-On Training Sessions

This opportunity is required for new volunteers. We will go over our policies, have a hands-on demonstration, and a tour of the building.

Program: Animal Resources

This opportunity is required for new volunteers. We will go over our policies, have a hands-on demonstration, and a tour of the building.

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: May Training Sessions

This opportunity is required for new volunteers. We will go over our policies, have a hands-on demonstration, and a tour of the building. If your session starts before 10:30am please contact the Site Supervisor to gain access through the main gate. 

Program: Animal Resources

This opportunity is required for new volunteers. We will go over our policies, have a hands-on demonstration, and a tour of the building. If your session starts before 10:30am please contact the Site Supervisor to gain access through the main gate. 

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Parks Motor Group of Gainesville Adoption Event 4/18/26

We are looking for volunteers to help with our upcoming adoption event with Parks Motor Group of Gainesville. You can meet us at the event (3333 N Main Street Gainesville, FL 32609) to help set up and to walk dogs at 8:45am. The event lasts until 1pm but we understand if you can't stay the whole time. Your time is appreciated!

Program: Animal Resources

We are looking for volunteers to help with our upcoming adoption event with Parks Motor Group of Gainesville. You can meet us at the event (3333 N Main Street Gainesville, FL 32609) to help set up and to walk dogs at 8:45am. The event lasts until 1pm but we understand if you can't stay the whole time. Your time is appreciated!

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Apr 18, 2026

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Play Group Runner

This opportunity will give you a chance to run dogs to and from play group. Don't worry you get to watch them play too! This is a big assistance to staff as they try to get as many dogs into play groups as possible. There will be a short training session in the beginning and then we will start the fun! 

Requirements

- Long pants and close-toed shoes

Program: Animal Resources

This opportunity will give you a chance to run dogs to and from play group. Don't worry you get to watch them play too! This is a big assistance to staff as they try to get as many dogs into play groups as possible. There will be a short training session in the beginning and then we will start the fun! 

Requirements

- Long pants and close-toed shoes

Program: Animal Resources

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 32609

Allow Groups: No