April 7th - April 14th

Dear FWACC Volunteers,

Thank you for being a vital part of our volunteer team! This week we have several volunteer opportunities across both shelters, upcoming events, and special ways to help our dogs enjoy socialization and community outings. Check out the details below and see how you can make a difference this week!

Sanitizing dishes and toys might seem like a small task—but in a shelter, it plays a huge role in keeping animals healthy.

Sanitizing dishes and toys in animal shelters is essential for preventing disease and maintaining a safe environment. These items are frequently exposed to saliva, waste, and other contaminants, making them common sources of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Regular cleaning and disinfecting reduce the risk of disease transmission, especially among animals that may be stressed, unvaccinated, or immunocompromised.

Proper sanitization also helps prevent environmental contamination by breaking the cycle of pathogen spread between animals. This supports overall animal health, improves recovery rates, and reduces the likelihood of outbreaks. In addition, it protects staff, volunteers, and visitors from potential zoonotic diseases.

Maintaining clean dishes and toys also contributes to a more hygienic and welcoming shelter environment, which can improve public trust and increase adoption rates.

Best practices include removing organic matter before disinfecting, using safe and effective cleaning agents, following proper contact times, avoiding toxic chemicals, thoroughly drying items, and incorporating sanitization into daily routines.

Your work also helps protect fellow volunteers, staff, and visitors from potential zoonotic diseases—and creates a cleaner, more welcoming environment for adopters.

For more information on how you can be a part of our #CleanCrew

👉 Dish Assistant – Keep Our Shelter Pets Healthy & Happy

Volunteering doesn’t just benefit shelter pets—it benefits you, too.

Research shows that people who volunteer experience lower stress, reduced depression, and improved overall mental health. In fact, some studies have found that volunteering can reduce the risk of depression by up to 43% and is linked to increased happiness, self-esteem, and life satisfaction.

Volunteering also has physical benefits. Regular volunteers often have lower blood pressure, improved heart health, and even a longer lifespan compared to those who don’t volunteer.

And it’s not just about long-term impact—helping others can trigger the release of “feel-good” chemicals in the brain, creating what’s often called a “helper’s high.”

So while you’re making a difference for shelter pets, you’re also supporting your own health, happiness, and sense of purpose.

This week’s volunteer focus is our Pet Photographer. Each week, over 2,000 people visit our website— and for many of them, a photo is the very first connection they make with a shelter pet.

As a Pet Photographer, you have the power to turn a quick scroll into a second chance. A single photo can capture personality, spark interest, and inspire someone to adopt, foster, or share.

Your lens doesn’t just take pictures—it helps pets get seen, get noticed, and get home.

The Impact

Photos can be powerful. A well-timed head tilt, a goofy grin, or a soulful stare can inspire someone to visit the shelter, adopt, or share a post. Your photos help increase adoptions, rescue placements, and foster interest, giving each animal a better chance at finding their forever home. You’ll also lighten the load for staff and make a lasting impact in your community — all while doing something you love.

For more information on how you can help our pets shine follow the link below

👉 Volunteer Pet Photographer – Help a Shelter Pet Make a First Impression

Help make our pets’ last few days in Texas extra special before they head to their new homes! We’re looking for volunteers to assist with dog walking and light cleaning during our upcoming transport preparation days.

Your support helps reduce stress for the animals, keeps them comfortable before their journey, and ensures everything runs smoothly as they prepare for travel.

Upcoming Transport Dates:
April 7th – April 9th

April 20th – April 22nd

May 3rd – May 5th

Every walk, clean kennel, and moment of attention helps these pets start their next chapter feeling safe and cared for!

👉 For more information and to sign up to assist with Transports: CLICK HERE

Did you know that all of our volunteer opportunities are housed in the Volunteer Resource Center?

Not only can you explore each opportunity and learn about the impact you’ll have in each role, but you can also sign up directly from the article—making it easier than ever to get involved.

We’ve streamlined the process so you can spend less time searching and more time making a difference.

Take a minute to

👉 Explore opportunities and sign up here: Volunteer Opportunities

Are you in the loop? Our FWACC Official Volunteer Group Chat on Facebook is where all the real-time connection happens—and we’d love to see it grow!

Right now, we have 383 members… but we know there are hundreds more of you out there who could be part of the conversation.

This is where we share:
🐾 Immediate shelter needs and ways you can jump in
🐾 Volunteer shout-outs and wins worth celebrating
🐾 Fun articles, updates, and behind-the-scenes moments

It’s a great way to stay connected, informed, and engaged with everything happening across the team.

👉 Join the group here: FWACC Official Volunteer Group Chat

Let’s make sure everyone is in the know—invite your fellow volunteers and help us grow this space!

Whether you’re out walking dogs, helping at events, or supporting behind the scenes—your time truly matters.

Every shift, every interaction, and every moment you give helps create a better experience for our animals and our community.

Stay connected, stay involved, and most importantly—thank you for being part of the FWACC volunteer team. 💙