Laundry Assistant – Supporting Every Animal Behind the Scenes
At a shelter, clean supplies are essential to daily operations. Towels, blankets, bedding, and cleaning cloths are used throughout the day in kennels, cat housing areas, medical spaces, and enrichment programs. Every intake kennel needs sanitized towels, every cleaning shift depends on fresh supplies, and animals recovering from medical procedures rely on clean, comfortable bedding. Laundry may happen behind the scenes, but it plays a vital role in keeping the shelter running safely and efficiently.
As a Laundry Assistant, volunteers help ensure that clean linens are always available for the teams caring for animals throughout the building. Towels and blankets move quickly through the shelter each day, and keeping laundry caught up allows staff to reset kennels efficiently, maintain proper sanitation, and provide comfortable spaces for dogs and cats. Volunteers in this role help wash, dry, fold, and organize linens so supplies are always ready when they are needed.
This work supports nearly every area of the shelter. Intake teams rely on clean towels to prepare kennels for new arrivals. Animal care staff need fresh supplies to maintain safe and sanitary housing areas. Medical teams depend on clean bedding for animals recovering from treatment. Even enrichment programs eventually send toys and fabrics through the laundry cycle. When laundry stays caught up, the shelter can continue operating smoothly and animals benefit from cleaner, more comfortable spaces.
This role is perfect for volunteers who enjoy structured tasks and the satisfaction of seeing immediate results from their work. In just a few hours, volunteers can transform piles of used linens into organized shelves of clean supplies ready for use. That reliability helps staff stay focused on animal care, behavior support, and adoptions instead of scrambling for clean materials.
Behind-the-scenes work does not mean behind-the-impact. By keeping laundry flowing, volunteers support every animal in the shelter and every team working to care for them.
Before getting started, volunteers must complete Animal Health Training – Animal Health to understand sanitation protocols used throughout the shelter.
To view and complete our trainings - CLICK HERE
Volunteer duties and access are valid only during scheduled shifts selected through the online volunteer scheduling system. A 15-minute grace period before and after each shift allows time for preparation and wrap-up.
Clean linens create comfort, support sanitation, and help the entire shelter operate smoothly.
Sign up to volunteer as a Laundry Assistant:
Henry’s Animal Campus – CLICK HERE
Silcox Animal Shelter – CLICK HERE