Volunteer Onboarding: How to Get Started
Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s Volunteer Program is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of animals in our shelter through compassionate care. Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for every animal while actively engaging with the community to promote responsible pet ownership. Through education and outreach programs, we strive to build a culture of empathy and respect for animals, creating lasting, positive change throughout Fort Worth.
Volunteers are the backbone of our mission. Every walk, bath, photo, or load of laundry makes a difference in the lives of our shelter pets. Whether you’re spending time with dogs, comforting cats, helping with events, or supporting operations behind the scenes, every hour you give matters.
Our volunteers bring heart, energy, and compassion to the animals who need it most. At FWACC, we truly have a volunteer opportunity that fits everyone!
Getting Started: Where to Apply
If you’re ready to start your volunteer journey, the first step is completing our online Volunteer Application for the shelter location where you wish to volunteer.
We have two shelter locations and two partner PetSmart locations where volunteers can serve:
North Animal Campus & PetSmart Alliance: 351 Hillshire Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76052
Chuck Silcox Animal Shelter & Hulen PetSmart: 4900 Martin St., Fort Worth, TX 76119
You’re welcome to volunteer at one or both locations — many of our volunteers do!
When filling out your application, please ensure that:
All required waivers are signed
All questions are answered completely
You upload a photo of yourself for your volunteer badge
Background Screening
All volunteers with the City of Fort Worth are required to complete a background check. Don’t worry — our staff never sees your personal background information. We only receive a simple “approved” or “denied” status from the screening system.
Results usually take 3-5 business days. We will contact you once they come in to let you know that you are ready to join our team!
Volunteer Manual and Trainings
While your background check is processing, it’s the perfect time to review the Volunteer Manual in our Volunteer & Foster Resource Hub. The manual provides all the information you need about our policies, procedures, and volunteer expectations, helping you feel prepared and confident for your orientation and first shift.
We offer both non-animal handling and animal-handling volunteer opportunities, each designed to make a meaningful impact. All volunteers are required to complete Animal Health Training before their first volunteer shift following orientation. Volunteers interested in working directly with animals must also complete Animal Handling and Animal Behavior trainings.
In the Resource Hub, trainings are clearly labeled as Required or Specialized, giving you the chance to explore additional topics that enhance your skills and support specific volunteer roles. We encourage you to take as many specialized trainings as you’d like — the more you know, the greater the difference you can make!
Orientation: Your First Step Onsite
Once your background has been approved, our team will reach out to invite you to your Volunteer Orientation.
This is one of our favorite parts of the onboarding process — it’s where new volunteers officially join our team and see firsthand how their time will make a difference.
· North Animal Campus Volunteer Orientation & Facility Tour
· Chuck Silcox Animal Shelter Orientation & Facility Tour
Before attending, please make sure you’ve read your Volunteer Manual in full. Orientation is designed to highlight key aspects of our program, verify that you’ve reviewed the material, and answer any questions you may have.
During orientation, you’ll:
Meet the Volunteer Coordinator for your chosen location
Learn about the different volunteer opportunities available
Discover the impact volunteers have on our shelter operations
Tour our facilities and get familiar with the environment
Navigating Our Volunteer System
Our volunteer management platform, Causeway Galaxy, can feel a little overwhelming at first , but don’t worry, we’ve created a helpful Volunteer System Guide to walk you through:
Signing up for opportunities
Managing your schedule
Tracking your hours
You can access the guide here.
Volunteering as a Minor
At this time, volunteer opportunities are not available for individuals under 16 years of age.
Volunteers who are 16–17 years old are welcome to participate with a parent or legal guardian present. The accompanying parent or guardian must also complete the full Volunteer Onboarding process, including the application, background screening, and orientation.
This ensures both the safety of our volunteers and the best possible experience for our animals.
Group Service Days
Interested in volunteering as part of a group? We love welcoming schools, businesses, and community organizations for Group Service Days!
Group volunteers help with non-animal handling projects that directly support the comfort and care of our animals — from cleaning and organizing to preparing enrichment items, event support, or beautifying shelter spaces.
If your group would like to schedule a service day, please email us at fwaccvolunteers@fortworthtexas.gov to learn more and plan your visit.
The Impact of Our Volunteers
Every volunteer helps us move closer to a community where every animal is cared for and valued. Volunteers reduce stress for animals, make adoptions possible, and support nearly every aspect of shelter life — from animal care and enrichment to outreach and transport.
Together, our volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year, helping us save lives and spread compassion throughout Fort Worth. Whether you’re walking dogs, greeting guests, or lending your skills in another way, you are a vital part of our mission.
Join us and see how your time can make a lasting impact on the lives of shelter pets and the people who love them.
If you have any questions along the way, please reach out to us at fwaccvolunteers@fortworthtexas.gov
We can’t wait to meet you!
