Volunteer Program | Amarillo Animal Management & Welfare

Volunteer Handbook 2025

Volunteers play an important role in the health and wellness of the animals at AMW. Whether you are assisting staff, socializing animals, or helping guests, your efforts will make a significant impact!

Volunteer Requirements for Shelter:

Must be 16 years or older to volunteer on-site at AMW, and must be 18+ to participate in Doggy Day Out
- If under 18, must bring parent/guardian to first training session to sign waiver
Ability to work and communicate in a professional manner and follow directions
Most roles will require volunteers to stand, and/or carry up to 20 pounds
Long pants, closed toe shoes, covered midriff required
There is no minimum time requirement or commitment needed in order to be a volunteer
Submit an application below, review our handbook, then staff will be in touch to schedule training

What sort of activities can I do as a volunteer?

On-Site Enrichment & Socialization
Spend time with the animals by providing play, exercise, and positive social interaction, including supervised time outside of their kennels.

Activity & Event Volunteer
Assist staff with vaccine clinics, adoption events, and other community outreach or educational programs.

Photographer
Take photos of shelter animals and facilities to support marketing and adoption promotion efforts.

Groomer
Help bathe, brush, and groom animals to keep them comfortable and improve their chances of adoption.

Doggy Day Out
Take an adoptable dog out of the shelter for a day of exercise, enrichment, and socialization while helping introduce them to potential adopters in the community.

Shelter Volunteer

Assist Animal Care Workers and Adoptions Staff with various essential tasks, such as feeding, cleaning, organizing, stocking, and various other daily operations.

Community Service:

Those in need of community service for court or school assignments are eligible to complete those hours at AMW. Please contact the Outreach Manager to schedule your training and service shifts.

Kali.dennis@amarillo.gov

806.673.7821

Group Volunteering, Youth Volunteering, and Field Trips:

For groups of 7 or more, please contact AMW staff at least 1 week in advance to schedule your volunteering session.

If your group includes children under the age of 18, waivers must be signed by a parent/guardian ahead of time.
We require a ratio of at least 1 adult chaperone per 5 children.
Children under the age of 5 years old are not permitted to attend group volunteer sessions.

Due to the staff time and resources required to coordinate and train one-time volunteer groups, we kindly ask groups that participate on an annual or one-time basis to help support our shelter mission by organizing a small donation drive and bringing supplies to their volunteer session. These contributions help offset the overall cost of hosting group volunteer experiences and directly benefit the animals in our care.

A list of most needed/requested supplies can be found Here.

Volunteer Application

Please submit the following application, and an AMW staff member will contact you shortly to schedule your first volunteer shift, which will include training.

Doggy Day Out Program FAQs

What is the Doggy Day Out Program?

The Doggy Day Out program is an initiative designed to provide shelter dogs with a chance to leave the shelter for a day, enjoy human interaction, exercise, and exposure to potential adopters. This program aims to improve the dogs' socialization and behavior, increasing their chances of being adopted. Volunteers take the dogs out for the day, attending various events or just spending time in public spaces, and bring them back to the shelter by closing time. The program benefits both the dogs and the community by creating a positive experience for the animals while also giving citizens a chance to engage with them.

What are the requirements to sign up for for the Doggy Day Out program? How are citizens vetted?

How can citizens sign up for the Doggy Day Out program?

How long can volunteers keep the Doggy Day Out dogs?

How is AMW ensuring the dogs' safety and return for the Doggy Day Out program?

Animal Management and Welfare ensures the safety of the dogs by providing volunteers with training on animal handling, leash techniques, and the dog's background and temperament. Volunteers also receive the contact information for an on-duty Animal Management Field Officer in case of emergencies or lost dogs. Volunteers are advised to stay within the city limits and avoid high-risk areas like dog parks or busy streets.

How are dogs selected for the Doggy Day Out program?

What is the benefit for the dogs in the Doggy Day Out program?

How has the Doggy Day Out program been tested?

Animal Management and Welfare successfully piloted the program over the summer with volunteers and staff. During the pilot, volunteers took dogs to various public events, such as Jazztober and Harry Potter’s Birthday at the park. This experience allowed us to refine our approach, ensuring that volunteers were trained in animal handling and prepared to answer questions from prospective adopters. Volunteers were also instructed to avoid high-risk environments and follow safety protocols to ensure the dogs’ well-being.