Volunteer
Embrace Compassion & Inspire Change
Located on ten beautiful acres in Carencro, LA, Acadiana Animal Aid, a no-kill animal shelter for cats and dogs, is the regional leader in animal rescue and adoption. Founded in 1974, we currently have over 190 volunteers assisting us in caring for our animals seven days a week. Our dedicated volunteers and staff are fueled by passion and a desire to educate, advocate, rescue, shelter, and protect animals in our care until they all have a home.
Volunteering is easy at Acadiana Animal Aid! All it takes is a little love for our shelter pets, and a desire to give back to our homeless animal community. We have many programs that cater to a wide variety of skills and interests so that your impact is magnified to support our mission. Your talents and experiences are invaluable, so let us know how you’d like to participate!
Junior Volunteer Program (ages 10-15):
Our Junior Volunteer program invites kids to join a group session held every other month. They will get to participate in hands-on activities with the animals, experience day-to-day shelter operations and educational opportunities on animal welfare, husbandry, and rescue.
Group Volunteer Opportunities:
We love to have schools, clubs and company groups visit our shelter, when able. Please know these openings may be limited by number of people and the general availability of our staff. Let us know what special project or way you would like to get involved!
(email: volunteer@acadianaanimalaid.org)
Ways To Get Involved:
Hands-on Care
Work directly with our cats and dogs to provide socialization, enrichment and daily care. From helping to clean, walk/exercise, train, bathe, groom and more, you will be making a difference in the happiness and health of shelter pets.
Adoption & Fundraising Events
Event volunteers may assist with transporting animals and materials, as well as being a responsible animal handler and advocate for our shelter. Volunteers are our spokesmen and women, playing a vital role in the promotion and success of our organization!
Education Program
Help educate the community and the next generation of animal lovers by working with our outreach program. Volunteers are involved with the management of our Junior Volunteers and Kitty Litter-ature programs as well as helping us with schools, clubs and community presentations.
Field Trip & Group Walks
Give a dog a break from the shelter! We organize off campus group walks for our shelter dogs. You can also check out our doggy day out foster program for individual afternoon field trips. Whether it's a walk around a local park, movie and snacks in your home, or a puppuccino at the coffee shop, you'll make their day brighter!
Veterinary Assistance
Volunteer at our on site vet clinic with our veterinary team to help oversee pet patients in recovery, participate in the intake process and get hands on experience with our medical professionals. Volunteers must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment around animals who may be ill, injured, or having surgery.
Administrative Work
Help keep our shelter operating smoothly by providing valuable office support. Volunteers may assist with a wide variety of admin duties from data entry, IT assistance/troubleshooting, to being a front desk greeter to welcome our visitors with a smile.
Facility Maintenance & Special Projects
Handy volunteers work closely with our staff to problem solve repairs, identify construction projects and be a part of improving our shelter's beautiful 10 acre campus. You can also help with lawn care, tree trimming, and general upkeep.
Gardening
Put your green thumb to use and help beautify our shelter! We have a gorgeous property with a pet-friendly garden that requires volunteer upkeep to keep our animals enriched. Give visitors and pets alike a reason to stop and smell the roses.
Social Media
Volunteers who have a way with words and want to help market our pets have the opportunity to supply and build content for our online platforms! Grow our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok following by being an active participate in storytelling, whether it's as a creative writer or the contribution of photo/filming material.
Pet Photography
Pictures play a key role in adoption advertisements and ensuring pets find their families! If you enjoy capturing special moments and telling a story through images, put your special skills to action with incredible snapshots for our adoption pet listings.
HERO: Veteran Program
Support our nation's veterans! AAA serves as a place of refuge for veterans from an in-residence PTSD and chemical dependency facility that visit our campus weekly. Our volunteers, alongside partnering non-profit Abby's Acres, help to connect heroes and pets through cat and dog behavioral enrichment activities.
To ensure the safety of our shelter staff and pets and to maximize our efficiency, we require that all “routine” volunteers train with an experienced handler for at least three shifts before being assigned to a regular schedule. Feel free to complete this training at your own pace, but please be willing to commit to six months of volunteering to help us utilize our resources most effectively.