Volunteer for Animal Services

Rochester Animal Services volunteers are essential to the success of the organization. Our volunteers help to enhance the quality of life for animals at the shelter. They extend their time and hearts to the animals. Many activities involve direct contact with the animals but there are many opportunities that also provide supportive and administrative functions. 

Regardless of the specific assignment, all volunteers help enrich the animals' time at the shelter, improve customer service, augment the care provided by staff, and promote our programs and services ultimately helping to support adoptions, pet retention, and the human-animal bond. We have many active participants but are always in need of more. 

Image

Become a volunteer now!   

 Requirements for volunteering are:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Completion of a Volunteer Application
• Undergoing a criminal record check
• Completion of an orientation and an on-the-job training session

Please contact us if you'd like to volunteer at the shelter, at a special event, or at an off-site adoption location. 

• Telephone: 585-428-6788
• Facsimile: 585-428-6130
• Address: 184 Verona St., Rochester, NY 14608    
• Email  

Typical volunteer activities 

Lost pet advocates 

Animal Services is recruiting community members who would like to help get lost pets home. Volunteers who become lost pet advocates will receive lawn signs that identify them as a resource for their neighbors to use when a pet goes missing or when a neighbor finds a lost pet.

Lost pet advocates are provided with microchip scanners, lost and found resource packets, other supplies, and training to help get lost pets home without having them enter the shelter.

Rochester's residents interested in serving as lost pet advocates for their neighborhoods may contact Animal Services at (585) 428-7274 or AnimalServices@cityofrochester.gov.

Lost pet detectives 

Did you know most lost pets are found less than a mile from their home? Many lost pets end up in the shelter, which is a stressful place for a pet. You can help change that by becoming a lost pet detective. As a neighborhood lost pet detective, you can assist and support neighbors while walking them through the steps to get lost pets home.

Lost Pet Detectives will be provided with:

• Training - You will receive tools and resources on what to do when a lost pet is brought to you by a neighbor.
• Microchip scanners - Each lost pet detective will receive a microchip scanner, which can help identify pets with their owners.
• Lost Pet Reunification Yard Sign - You will receive a yard sign, so neighbors know where to go for help when a lost pet is found.
• Online resources - You will be given online resources and tools to help you best assist the community in reuniting lost pets with their people.

If you are interested in becoming a lost pet detective, please email us here. 

Note: You must be a city resident to be a lost pet detective. 

Join our friends group 

The Friends of Verona Street Animal Shelter, Inc. d/b/a Verona Street Animal Society (VSAS) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that helps support the mission of Animal Services through fundraising and promotions. 

VSAS recruits volunteers to serve on various committees that focus on event planning, fundraising, marketing and advertising, public relations, and foster care. If you are interested in getting involved as a committee member, please email our Volunteer Coordinator.