Volunteer: 2026 Summer Lovin' Adopt-a-thon EventGrab your shades and slip leads, it’s time for our "Annual Summer Lovin’ Adopt-a-thon"!We are on a mission to match our amazing shelter pets with their forever families, and we need YOUR energy, smiles, and helping hands to make the magic happen! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time volunteer, everyone starts somewhere—no prior adoption event experience required.
How You Can Help Change a Life: We have a high-energy, fast-paced day planned with shifts for everyone (and yes, you are absolutely welcome to sign up for multiple shifts!). Dog Run Crew: Help play matchmaker by running pups to the play yards to meet their future families! Keep our dog kennels clean, fresh, and looking top-notch. Cat Comforters: Help with cat interactions and keep those purr-fect smiles coming. Help reset cat kennels so we can move more fabulous felines up to be seen! What to Bring & Wear: It’s going to be a gorgeous, sunny Florida day, so come prepared to stay safe and energized: Sunglasses & a hat for that bright summer sun A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated Close - toed shoes are required Event Details: Date: August 8th, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (If you sign up for the first shift, we will be starting at 9am to have our group huddle) Location: 3400 NE 53rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609 Let’s make this the best Summer Lovin' Adopt-a-thon yet. Bright eyes, full hearts, can't lose—let's go find these babies some homes!Program: Animal Resources Grab your shades and slip leads, it’s time for our "Annual Summer Lovin’ Adopt-a-thon"!We are on a mission to match our amazing shelter pets with their forever families, and we need YOUR energy, smiles, and helping hands to make the magic happen! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time volunteer, everyone starts somewhere—no prior adoption event experience required.
How You Can Help Change a Life: We have a high-energy, fast-paced day planned with shifts for everyone (and yes, you are absolutely welcome to sign up for multiple shifts!). Dog Run Crew: Help play matchmaker by running pups to the play yards to meet their future families! Keep our dog kennels clean, fresh, and looking top-notch. Cat Comforters: Help with cat interactions and keep those purr-fect smiles coming. Help reset cat kennels so we can move more fabulous felines up to be seen! What to Bring & Wear: It’s going to be a gorgeous, sunny Florida day, so come prepared to stay safe and energized: Sunglasses & a hat for that bright summer sun A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated Close - toed shoes are required Event Details: Date: August 8th, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (If you sign up for the first shift, we will be starting at 9am to have our group huddle) Location: 3400 NE 53rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609 Let’s make this the best Summer Lovin' Adopt-a-thon yet. Bright eyes, full hearts, can't lose—let's go find these babies some homes!Program: Animal Resources Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 32609 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Foster Coordinator AidHave you ever been curious about what goes into a foster program? This is a great way to learn! You can aid the Foster Specialist with prepping supplies, gathering pictures and information for foster pleas, and helping with sending animals into their new temporary home. You can gain experience in customer service, animal handling, animal medical issues, and what goes into keeping a vulnerable animal out of the shelter. 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 Specialist with prepping supplies, gathering pictures and information for foster pleas, and helping with sending animals into their new temporary home. You can gain experience in customer service, animal handling, animal medical issues, and what goes into keeping a vulnerable animal out of the shelter. 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: Hands-On Training SessionsThis will include a hands-on demonstration, tour of the building, and we will go over the different types of opportunities we have for our animals. Only volunteers with a registered account are allowed to attend. If you would like family members or friends to attend with you, they must also make an account and sign up for an open spot. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Minors 16 years and older must have a parent or guardian present if they do not have reliable transportation onsite. Uber, Lyft, or other transportation services do not qualify as reliable transportation. If a parent or guardian is transporting a minor, they are required to stay with the minor and go through the onboarding process as well. There is a 4-hour requirement to maintain for every 4 months in order to be considered active. Requirements: Proof of age by a Government ID already on file in your volunteer accountLong pants and close-toed shoesHighly suggest a water bottle, especially in the warmer monthsProgram: Animal Resources This will include a hands-on demonstration, tour of the building, and we will go over the different types of opportunities we have for our animals. Only volunteers with a registered account are allowed to attend. If you would like family members or friends to attend with you, they must also make an account and sign up for an open spot. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Minors 16 years and older must have a parent or guardian present if they do not have reliable transportation onsite. Uber, Lyft, or other transportation services do not qualify as reliable transportation. If a parent or guardian is transporting a minor, they are required to stay with the minor and go through the onboarding process as well. There is a 4-hour requirement to maintain for every 4 months in order to be considered active. Requirements: Proof of age by a Government ID already on file in your volunteer accountLong pants and close-toed shoesHighly suggest a water bottle, especially in the warmer monthsProgram: Animal Resources Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 32609 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Medical Hands-On TrainingThis volunteer opportunity if for those with an animal welfare medical background. If you are interested in helping our medical team with exams or surgeries, you will need to complete this before signing up for a scheduled shift. A member of the medical team will give you a tour and go over their current procedures. Monday is the preferred day for this training but we can be flexible. If you'd like to set up a different time and day, you can email ACARoutreach@alachuacounty.us. Requirements: Experience in the animal welfare medical field. This can range from any kind of veterinary assistant, veterinary technician, veterinary student, veterinary graduate, or even a licensed DVM. Participants must wear close-toed shoes and long pants.Participants must be 18 years or olderProgram: Animal Resources This volunteer opportunity if for those with an animal welfare medical background. If you are interested in helping our medical team with exams or surgeries, you will need to complete this before signing up for a scheduled shift. A member of the medical team will give you a tour and go over their current procedures. Monday is the preferred day for this training but we can be flexible. If you'd like to set up a different time and day, you can email ACARoutreach@alachuacounty.us. Requirements: Experience in the animal welfare medical field. This can range from any kind of veterinary assistant, veterinary technician, veterinary student, veterinary graduate, or even a licensed DVM. Participants must wear close-toed shoes and long pants.Participants must be 18 years or olderProgram: Animal Resources Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 32609 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Quiet Kennel- EnrichmentAssist our canine residents by walking through the kennels and giving out treats when they are quiet and have all four feet on the kennel floor. This helps them have a positive outlook on strangers approaching the kennels, and decreases stress and noise! This opportunity is excellent for any volunteers who are looking to drop by briefly. Program: Animal Resources Assist our canine residents by walking through the kennels and giving out treats when they are quiet and have all four feet on the kennel floor. This helps them have a positive outlook on strangers approaching the kennels, and decreases stress and noise! This opportunity is excellent for any volunteers who are looking to drop by briefly. Program: Animal Resources Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Zip Code: 32609 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Policy RenewalsWelcome back! This is for veteran volunteers that are dusting off the ole dog walking shoes or are ready for some kitty snuggles. We'd love to update you on anything new and exciting going on with the volunteer program. If none of the available dates/times are suitable, please email acaroutreach@alachuacounty.us to schedule an individual time and date. We are thrilled to have you back at the shelter to help out our furry friends. There is a 4-hour requirement to maintain for every 4 months in order to be considered active. *This is not for new volunteers. New volunteers please sign up for a Training Session for a full orientation* Program: Animal Resources Welcome back! This is for veteran volunteers that are dusting off the ole dog walking shoes or are ready for some kitty snuggles. We'd love to update you on anything new and exciting going on with the volunteer program. If none of the available dates/times are suitable, please email acaroutreach@alachuacounty.us to schedule an individual time and date. We are thrilled to have you back at the shelter to help out our furry friends. There is a 4-hour requirement to maintain for every 4 months in order to be considered active. *This is not for new volunteers. New volunteers please sign up for a Training Session for a full orientation* Program: Animal Resources Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 32609 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Animal TransporterProgram: Animal Resources Program: Animal Resources Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Zip Code: 32609 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Dog WranglerProgram: Animal Resources Program: Animal Resources Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Zip Code: 32609 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Cat CuddlerProgram: Animal Resources Program: Animal Resources Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Zip Code: 32609 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Doggy Day OutAt 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 - AM ShiftThis 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: Dog Walking - PM ShiftThis 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: Play Group RunnerThis 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 |
Volunteer: Cat Cleaning AMFor 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! 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! Program: Animal Resources Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 32609 Allow Groups: No |