Volunteer Stories Stories

Volunteers help and work with shy dogs in animal shelters to overcome their fears and apprehensiveness, which makes them more adoptable.

Mobile pet adoptions in Los Angeles save hundreds of dogs and cats. Altruistic volunteers give their time and energy to make the events a success.

Inner city kids from Gateway Junior Pet Advocates, a Gateway Pet Guardians program, visit Best Friends and volunteer with various animals.

Animal intern Heather Kierstead plays her ukulele for the parrots at Best Friends, and one bird in particular responds very positively to the music.

Volunteer from Calgary, Alberta, in Canada, is a true and committed friend to the cats at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Her love knows no bounds.

Volunteers Christy and Craig Schilling in Los Angeles and Marti Wheat in New York lend their talents and time to help save homeless pets.

Girls found Helping Animals, People, Places and the Environment (HAPPE) to fundraise for Best Friends Animal Society and other nonprofits.

Kaila Huhtasaari of Pelkie, Michigan, completes a parrot internship at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and says she has now discovered her life purpose.

Two retired schoolteachers spend time traveling and volunteering. They recently discovered the joys of volunteering with animals at Best Friends.

There are many opportunities to volunteer with Best Friends Pet Adoption and Spay/Neuter Center in Los Angeles, whether you're near the shelter or not.

Avian veterinarian Dr. Margaret Fordham volunteers at the Sanctuary, performing surgery on four parrots facing various medical problems.

Former Best Friends intern uses what she learned about birds to help care for and socialize parrots rescued from a bird mill in Tennessee.

Paul Mitchell Schools students volunteer at the Sanctuary with the animals. They also hold a cut-a-thon to raise money for homeless pets.

Animal lover and artist Courtney Link makes an unbelievable trek half way around the world from Hong Kong to visit Best Friends.

Dr. Susan Kirschner, a veterinary ophthalmologist, volunteers at the Sanctuary, performing animal eye surgeries and providing staff training.