Urgent Pet Advocate – Be the Voice for Pets Who Need It Most
Some shelter pets need a little extra help to be seen. Dogs and cats on the urgent list may be long-stay residents, experiencing kennel stress, or in need of additional support to help them move forward. In a busy shelter environment, these animals can easily be overlooked. Urgent Pet Advocates help change that by bringing attention to the pets who need it most.
Volunteers in this role spend focused time with animals on the shelter’s urgent list, helping highlight their personalities and progress. Advocates help provide socialization, observe behavior, and capture updated photos that can be used for adoption and rescue networking. By sharing accurate updates and fresh photos, volunteers help staff and potential adopters see each pet beyond their kennel door.
During a shift, volunteers check in with the Volunteer Coordinator to review the current urgent animal list. After reviewing kennel information and stickers for safety guidance, volunteers may bring approved animals to volunteer play yards for extra socialization and enrichment. While spending time with the animal, volunteers document helpful observations about behavior, comfort level, and personality. These insights, along with updated photos, are submitted through the shelter’s internal system to help staff share the animal’s story with adopters and rescue partners.
This role plays a powerful part in increasing visibility for pets who need additional advocacy. A new photo, a thoughtful behavior update, or a moment of social interaction can dramatically improve how a pet is perceived by potential adopters or rescue groups. By helping showcase each animal’s personality and progress, Urgent Pet Advocates help open doors to new opportunities and brighter outcomes.
This opportunity is ideal for volunteers who are observant, patient, and comfortable interacting with animals in a structured environment. Volunteers follow shelter safety protocols at all times and only work with animals approved for volunteer interaction.
The impact of this role is significant. By shining a spotlight on pets who need immediate attention, Urgent Pet Advocates help increase the chances of adoption, foster placement, or rescue transfer. For many animals, this extra attention can make the difference between continuing to wait and finally finding a path out of the shelter.
Before getting started, volunteers must complete Animal Health, Animal Handling, and Animal Behavior training to ensure safe and effective interactions with shelter animals.
To view and complete our trainings - CLICK HERE
Sign up to volunteer as an Urgent Pet Advocate:
Henry’s Animal Campus – CLICK HERE
Silcox Animal Shelter – CLICK HERE