Furry Friends Refuge is recruiting volunteers who are cause oriented and seek to make an impact in the community. Volunteers contribute to Furry Friends Refuge in every level of the organization while developing professional skills, networking, building civic committee experience, and giving back to the community.
Step One: Complete the volunteer application that applies to your situation:
Group Volunteers / Volunteer Waiver
Court-mandated community service.
Step Two: Attend a volunteer orientation
Orientation is held the first Saturday of each month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and the third Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at our Mills Civic facility. There’s no need to sign up or email in advance — just attend whichever session works best for you!
At the end of orientation, you will be able to choose the opportunities that most interest you. Learn about what’s available on our volunteer opportunities page.
** Also: Don’t forget that many companies — including Athene, Meredith, Nationwide, Pella, Principal, US Bank, Voya, and Wellmark — will donate to the nonprofits where their employees volunteer! **
Please note the following age restrictions:
Under 12: Please see junior volunteer section below.
Under 14: An adult must be present with you in the same room. The adult can only supervise two children at a time.
Under 16: An adult must be present in the building, but does not have to be in the same room.
All volunteers under 18: A parent/guardian must sign the volunteer waiver.
Junior volunteers
If you are an active volunteer with Furry Friends Refuge and would like to involve your children who are under 12 years of age, they are welcome to participate in our junior volunteer program. If you are not currently a volunteer, see above for information on becoming one; please do not bring your child to orientation, however.
Each adult volunteer may provide supervision for two junior volunteers and must be present with them at all times. Learn more about on-site and off-site opportunities at our junior volunteers page.
School requirements (individual projects)
If you are volunteering for a school project (such as Silver Cord), start by filling out this application.
You will receive a link to an online signup sheet for specific projects around our shelters. You do NOT need to attend an orientation session; staff will supervise and direct you. Because of this, your choice of times/dates/tasks will be limited.
If you are under 18, your parent/guardian must sign the appropriate spot on the waiver. If your parent/guardian does not sign, you may not volunteer.
Your parent/guardian is encouraged to fill out a general volunteer application and attend orientation, but it is not mandatory.
Additionally, please review the age restrictions listed under General Volunteers to ensure adequate supervision.
Group projects (corporate groups, youth groups, etc.)
If your employer, church group, youth group, etc., is looking for an on-site volunteer opportunity, please have the contact person for your group fill out this form. (Only one member needs to do this.)
All members of the group must still fill out a volunteer waiver.
A staffer will contact you with information about times and tasks that are available within three business days of your submission (which we need to identify whether experienced volunteers are available to guide you). Because you will be supervised, you do not need to attend orientation.
Please note that because our space and resources are limited, we must restrict the size of groups to six at West Des Moines and four at Des Moines.
We always welcome supply drives and off-site fundraisers. A list of items we always need can be found here.
Court-mandated community service
Under some circumstances, you may fulfill court-mandated community service requirements at Furry Friends Refuge. We review applications approximately every two weeks and make a determination on an individual basis, so you must provide thorough details on the nature of your offense.
We will not consider anyone who has been charged, either presently or in the past five years, with the following violations: assault, domestic abuse, harassment, neglect/cruelty to animals, theft, dishonesty (including forgery).
We may consider those charged with drug offenses, under some circumstances.
If you believe your conviction fits these qualifications, fill out this application/waiver for staff to review. This process is done approximately every two weeks, and we will contact those accepted with details of when they may volunteer and what tasks they may perform.
Please note: If you have no criminal history, do NOT fill out this form. Return to the top of the page to find the appropriate form for your volunteering situation.