The Department of Animal Services in the City of Los Angeles was established in 1863. There are six animal shelters across LA with locations in Chesterfield Square/South Los Angeles, East Valley in Van Nuys, Harbor in San Pedro, North Central in Lincoln Heights, West LA, and West Valley in Chatsworth. The Department’s major areas of responsibility are caring and saving the lives of animals that make their way into one of the six LA City shelters.
They are seeking compassionate volunteers who want to make a real difference in the lives of abandoned and orphaned animals. Friendly, outgoing, and dedicated individuals are needed to support our staff, assist the public, and help at both on-site and off-site adoption events. Their dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals rely on volunteers for care, enrichment, and socialization—whether through walking, playing, grooming, or simply spending time with them. These interactions not only improve their well-being but also help prepare them for loving homes. Volunteers can choose to work with specific animal populations or explore a variety of roles, including adoptions, kennel support, customer greeting, photography and videography, playgroups, humane education, marketing, and administrative tasks.
Volunteer shifts are available during business hours: Tuesday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm, and Saturday–Sunday, 11:00 am–5:00 pm. Please note that shelters are closed on Mondays and holidays.
Training Note: Attending a Volunteer Orientation is mandatory. At orientation you will learn about our LA Animal Services programs, about our policies and procedures, you will learn about basic animal behavior, and gain an understanding of the many ways you can make a difference and ultimately help find homes for the animals in our shelters.
Ages: They currently accept volunteers aged 12 and older. If you are 12-15 you need to attend with an adult. This adult does not need to be a parent or guardian, but they need to be approved by your parent or guardian and all three of you are required to attend orientation together. If you are 16-17, a parent or legal guardian must attend the orientation with you and then you can volunteer independently.
Contact: Email the LA Animal Services Volunteer Office at ani.volunteers@lacity.org or by calling 213-395-1163. For more information or visit their website here for more details.