BECOME A SAFE HARBOR VOLUNTEER

Safe Harbor Volunteers are a diverse group, spanning all ages and walks of life. Whatever your interests or talents may be, we have a place for you. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Without the support of our dedicated Volunteers, Safe Harbor could not provide the services that we do. We are always looking for people like YOU to add to our team. If you are interested in Volunteering at Safe Harbor please join us!

All new volunteers must complete the appropriate Volunteer Application, attend Volunteer Orientation, and sign up with our dog trainer for "Open Paw" training for dogs and our cat specialist for “Open Paw” training for cats, before working with the animals. Applications are available at the Safe Harbor Administrative Office (Suite 205) or you can download the information below.

Please specify they type of application you require:

1. Volunteer Application,
2. Academic Volunteer (hours applied for school) Those under 16 years of age cannot handle animals, but they can participate in the Scavenger Hunt.
3. Court mandated community service (evaluated and approved on a case by case basis).


Volunteer Orientations
As a new volunteer, you will be required to attend a Volunteer Orientation. Volunteer Orientations are held on Tuesdays from 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM in Suite 216 and Saturdays at 11:00 AM. Applications to volunteer should be submitted prior to or handed in at Volunteer Orientation. Please call (561) 537-5710 Ext. 2 for more information.

Due to Safe Harbor’s insurance regulations, only those individuals ages 16 and older are permitted to work with the animals. If you are 16 or younger, you may participate in the Scavenger Hunt Program.

Safe Harbor Volunteer Sign Up Forms

Please fill out and sign both volunteer application and rules of conduct form.

 Download our Volunteer Rules of Conduct here.
All volunteers must sign and return the Rule of Conduct form.

 Download our Regular Volunteer Application here.
 Download our Academic Volunteer Application here.
 Download our Court Appointed Volunteer Application here.
 Download our Scavenger Hunt Volunteer Application here.

Adoption Center Operations
The Adoption Center staff at Safe Harbor needs help everyday to keep the center operational. These needs range from cleaning cages and litter boxes, sweeping and mopping the floors, feeding and watering the animals, cleaning windows, and washing the dogs just to name a few. It takes a lot of hands to keep our Adoption Center running smoothly.

Dog Walkers
All of the dogs at Safe Harbor are walked a minimum of three times a day: in the early morning, mid-day, and evening. We are in need of volunteers to socialize with our dogs and take them out for their walks. Please note: Volunteer dog walkers are required to attend a Level 1 Open Paw training. You will learn procedures for dog walking, selecting and utilizing the proper collars, and more.

Cat Lovers
The majority of Safe Harbor's cats are currently residing at the Sanctuary in Palm City. We need volunteers willing to to spend time handling our resident kitties at that location. Our Cat Lovers improve the quality of life for our cats, keeping them physically and mentally healthy and ready for adoption. Additionally, we need help with the daily humane care of our kitties in the mornings and afternoons. If you are interested in lending a loving hand to help with the resident cats at Palm City please contact Paula at (561) 386-6595.

Foster Parents
Safe Harbor is always in need of volunteers to foster dogs or cats with special needs, however, our cat rooms are full and we have many kittens as well as older cats that are in desperate need of fostering. As a volunteer you will be responsible for caring for our animals in your homes until they are well or old enough for vaccinations, sterilization, and/or adoption. These include, but are not limited to young cats & dogs, under-socialized, injured, or sick cats & dogs, and babies. Foster homes help an animal regain confidence and acclimate to creature comforts after being abandoned. It also allows us to learn more about an animal’s personality so we can assure a fitting adoption match. For more information on becoming a Safe Harbor Foster Parent, please contact Linda Dean at 561-747-7676.

Community Outreach
Throughout the year Safe Harbor participates in and hosts several events - including Safe Harbor's Annual Celebrity Dog Wash. We need volunteers in all areas, from planning to staffing, to make these events a success. Please keep an eye on this website for volunteer opportunities as these events are announced. Safe Harbor also participates in awareness events throughout the year. If you would be interested in staffing an informational table please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.

For more information on any volunteer opportunity please call (561) 537-5710 Ext. 2.