Much of the work necessary to keep the Shelter operating and the animals well cared for is done by volunteers. Please join the other wonderful compassionate animal-loving volunteers here and help us care for our special animals! Please call or email the shelter if you would like to volunteer for one of the opportunities listed below! (515) 285-PETS or info@animal-lifeline.com

To volunteer as a Direct Animal Care volunteer, you must be 16 years of age or 14 years of age with a parent or guardian that will be volunteering with you.

Many children that are interested in volunteering that are under the age of 14, start volunteering by baking dog biscuits for us! 'So check out that opportunity below.

Click here for our volunteer application (PDF File)

Click here for our volunteer application (Online)

 

Direct Animal Care:

If you love animals and would like to get lots of hands-on time with them, this is the area for you! ALI prioritizes special-needs animals--animals without owners who are sick, injured, pregnant, nursing, orphaned or handicapped.

Description: Jobs in this area would include: cleaning, feeding, medical care, socializing, walking, bathing, grooming. You can choose dogs or cats (or both!) There is nothing quite as rewarding as seeing a dog or cat recover and once healthy again, find a good loving home!

Volunteer Hours: Volunteer hours for direct animal care: 7:30 am to approx 11:30 am and 6 pm to 8 pm -- 7 days a week. The animals need care every day of the year.

Location: The shelter





Shelter Laundry:

Description: We do lots of laundry and dishes on the morning shift and it would be great to have a volunteer to help.


Volunteer Hours: 8 or 9 am until 11:00 am - 7 days a week.

Location: The shelter




Socializing the Animals:

If you love animals and would like to help them with their social skills this is the opportunity for you.

Description: Jobs in this area would include: walking, playing and brushing the dogs and playing and brushing the cats. If we have puppies and kittens, job also includes socializing them.

Volunteer Hours: 1 pm to 5 pm Monday through Friday

Location: The shelter




Thrift Shop:

Description: Volunteers are needed to assist customers, placing new merchandise out for sale, light dusting and cleaning.

Volunteer Hours: The Thrift Shop is open from 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Friday and Saturday 10 am to 5 pm. Shifts are available to meet each individuals availability.

Location: 3304 SW 9th (SW 9th and Park Ave)

 

Working Informational and Awareness Tables/Events:

Description: Volunteers are needed to help at information and awareness events.


Volunteer Hours: Informational/awareness events are held on various days and time. Many are held in the evenings or on Saturday and Sunday and last only a couple of hours.


Location: Varies - Des Moines Metro locations





Fund Raising Events:

Description: Volunteers are needed to help at fundraising events such as Shelter Open House, Spring and Holiday Bazaar's, Pet Expo, Dog and Cat shows. Also need volunteers to serve on our Claws and Paws Benefit Auction committee.

Volunteer Hours: Most of the fund raising opportunities are on the weekends. Spring and Holiday Bazaar also has opportunities during the week day hours.

Location: Varies - Des Moines Metro locations
Baking:

Description: ALI needs volunteers that can bake ALI dog biscuits that we sell at fund raisers and information tables and booths. We have the recipe and the dog bone cookie cutter. Click here for the recipe. We also need volunteers who can bake for the many Bake Sales we have throughout the year. A great way for someone to help the animals but can't get to the shelter!

Volunteer hours: Hours Vary


Location: This project can be done from your home.







Office Help/Telephones:

Description: Office help is needed for everything from answering the phones to data entry! Our priority need is for volunteers to answer phones and do general office work in the mornings Monday through Friday.

Volunteer hours: 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Saturday.

Location: The shelter




Publication Design:

Description: Just as it sounds, we are in need of volunteers that have graphic design and/or publication design background.

Volunteer hours: Varies by project

Location: Majority of the work could be done from your home or office.