General Information

Our volunteer program is committed to finding new ways of helping our friends here at the Animal Defense League. Please help us make ADL a place where someone like you can come and spend some quality time with our anifmals or help administratively.

How You Can Become An ADL Volunteer

• We require that everyone attend a Volunteer Orientation Class.
• Orientation is held the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 1:00pm-3:30pm at our Animal Care Center located at 11215 Iota, a one-story brown brick building in the back parking lot of ADL.
• All volunteers must be at least 10 years of age. Children 10 through 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• During class, a donation will be collected. Fees are $25 for an individual; $50 for two members of the same family who are 16 years and older. Volunteer t-shirts will be distributed.
• Registration is not required prior to orientation.
• Orientation begins at 1 PM. Please be prompt.
• For court appointed community service, you must be at least 15 years old. Hours may be served weekly from Tuesday through Saturday only. Please call 655-1481, ext. 118 for full details. You can also email the Supervisor of Maintenance and Community Service at sspeaker@adltexas.org for information.
• If you have any questions, please call 655-1481 ext 100.

Ways to Volunteer

Volunteers at the Animal Defense League are critical in helping us meet our mission of caring for animals taken in, caring and sheltering those animals while they reside at ADL, then getting them adopted into loving homes.

There are many ways you can participate. Please let us how you would like to help the resident animals of ADL. Email any questions to racosta@adltexas.

Adoption Counseling
We want to have successful placements of our animals in homes. This requires some discussion with the prospective adoptive individuals to make sure the fit is right. If you like people and animals, you might be perfect for adoption counseling at ADL.

Administrative Support
Volunteers can also help the adoption center staff perform necessary administrative tasks including phone duty, filing, copying, data entry, or just helping out where needed.

Foster Parent
Animals who are not yet ready to be adopted, older animals recovering from an injury, moms and pups or kittens, or kittens and puppies who have lost their mothers are cared for by a network of volunteers who take them into their homes on a temporary basis. ADL provides food, medicine, and unlimited guidance – you provide the time, care, and love as a Foster Program Parent Volunteer. Contact Sharon Howard, Foster Care Coordinator at (210) 655-1481, ext. 105 or at showard@adltexas.org.

Grooming and Bathing
We bathe our resident animals throughout the week. We can always use extra help. Ask the kennel staff which animals need a bath and get ready for some wet and wild laughter!

Holiday Photos
Near the holidays, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny pose with pets and owners for pictures. You can choose to take the photos, collect the donations and even be Santa or the Easter Bunny.

Pet Therapy
Take ADL animals to nursing homes to visit ailing or abused adults, senior citizens, and Alzheimer's patients.  This is helpful for both the animals and the patients. We are always ready to expand the program to include other care facilities.

School Speakers
Represent ADL and its animals in the community; visit school classrooms and speak to children about pet care, responsibility, and being kind to animals.

Special Events
The Animal Defense League stages several special events each year for the purpose of raising awareness about our wonderful animals and our programs and services - and also to raise needed funds. Volunteers help at these events in various capacities.

TLC Program: Dog Walking and Cat Socialization
Please allocate some time to walk, brush, or just visit with ADL’s resident dogs and cats. Interaction with people helps them get adopted – and the company just makes them happy. There are posted volunteer hours (subject to change).

Transporter
Use your vehicle to help transport supplies and our animals to special events and off-site adoptions.