All Volunteer Positions within SVPP

Please check back to this page as we will be adding new opportunities and making updates on a regular basis. 

Revised as of 7.2023

Animal/Rescue Operations

Foster Parent Recruiter

Responsibilities: Bring new foster parent volunteers into the program by determining innovative recruiting methods. Process inquiries and screen applicants.

Requirements: Recruiting and/or customer service experience desired. A keen understanding of both people and pets. We are looking for individuals who share a strong passion for SVPP’s mission and a deep understanding of the requirements of a successful foster parent volunteer.

Time Commitment: 8-10 hours per week

* This is a virtual opportunity

Volunteer application →

Foster Coordinator/Buddy

Responsibilities: First point of contact with the foster parent. Will deliver the animal to the foster family, provide initial supplies and equipment and reiterate instructions from orientation regarding marketing needs, etc. Must respond to foster parents’ questions via email or phone in a timely manner. You will work closely with other members of the foster team to assist the foster parent in all aspects of getting the animal ready for adoption. Build a strong and supportive relationship with foster parents to ensure open communication and encourage them to consider fostering on a regular basis. May be involved in meet & greet with potential adopters. Does initial post-adoption follow-up (after 3 days).

Requirements: Must have previous fostering experience. Customer service, and organizational skills and strong social and communication skills.

Time Commitment: 8-10 hours per week

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Foster Parent (Dog or Cat/Kitten)

Responsibilities: Responsible for the daily care of a foster animal, including feeding, exercising, playtime, socialization, grooming, reinforcing basic obedience commands and, of course, providing patience, love and security. SVPP will provide all necessary medical care and our Foster Teams will provide full support throughout the foster period. Any additional expenses incurred by the foster parent may be tax-deductible. Must be willing to work with the pet to help them get ready for adoption. This may include housebreaking, basic training, socialization, etc. You may also need to transport the foster animal to scheduled medical appointments and/or adoption events and photoshoots as well as administer any required medications. Providing foster care will certainly be a rewarding experience as you are enabling the animal to go on to the greatest adventure – a place where he/she will be cherished and loved until a great forever home is found.

Requirements: To be a successful foster parent, you will need a compassionate nature, flexibility, willingness to follow instructions, and interest and/or knowledge of animal behavior. Frequent email updates are required, and responsiveness to our team is critical to the success of our foster program. Reliable computer, internet service and transportation. A fenced yard is preferred, but not necessary for dog foster parents. Cat/kitten fosters are indoor only.

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Shelter Dog Day Out Volunteer (Day Foster)

Responsibilities: Participate in Shelter Dog Day Out Program with San Jose Animal Care Center. The goals of the program include:

  • Provide a break from the stress of the shelter by allowing dogs to engage in exercise and constructive activities outside the shelter;
  • Offer the shelter positive feedback on a dog that otherwise has negative behavior notes and assessments due to shelter and kennel stress;
  • Increase awareness of the shelter and adoptable dogs;
  • Offer new volunteer opportunities for the public to get involved;
  • Increase SVPP’s dog foster parent base;
  • Provide additional exposure to shelter dogs looking for a home.

Requirements: Must demonstrate large dog handling skills and appreciate and follow strict protocols and rules.  Must go on at least two supervised walks with SVPP Lead before going out alone with the shelter dog. The minimum age is 18 years old.

Time Commitment: Must commit to a regular schedule and take each dog for 3-4 hours each outing so that we can best serve the dogs and maintain our commitment to the shelter. Hikes are done in the morning hours.

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Fundraising/Development

Development Team Member

Responsibilities: Under supervision, implement the annual and long-range strategy for securing gifts from a variety of sources, including foundations, corporations, individuals, and events. Support the development team in forging new relationships, and building a pipeline of new donors, individual and business sponsors, and corporate partners to execute SVPP’s overall fundraising strategy. Work with a team to research and write grants and oversee donor recognition.

Requirements: Prior experience in development is required. Excellent organization and communication skills.

Time Commitment: 20-30 hrs/month

* This is a virtual opportunity

Volunteer application →

Grant Writer

Responsibilities: Search through resources to find applicable grants; draft grant proposals and track grants in progress and deadlines. Research and identify prospects for Corporation and Foundation grants. Gather the necessary information required to submit complete and thorough grant proposals. This may include writing compelling narrative essays about SVPP programs, outlining innovative project proposals, and reporting budgets and expenses. 

Requirements: Prior experience in grant writing is preferred. Excellent organization and communication skills.

Time Commitment: 15-20 hrs/month

* This is a virtual opportunity

Volunteer application →

Marketing & Communications 

Marketing & Digital Advertising Team Member

Responsibilities: Work across the organization to identify and execute marketing campaigns for the organization, events, programs and adoptable animals. Contribute copy, content and visual imagery for SVPP publications, digital and social communication and print collateral to engage targeted audiences. Review and create social media advertising campaigns to increase SVPP audience and animal welfare awareness.

Requirements: Prior experience in marketing is required. Must be creative, and have excellent organizational and communication skills. Social media advertising experience preferred.

Time Commitment: Varies, approx. 5 hrs/week

* This is a virtual opportunity

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Graphic Design Support

Responsibilities: Work closely with Marketing and Communications managers to create design solutions that have a high visual impact for web, print (flyers) and/or social media engagement. We use Canva and are looking for someone to help with these and original design projects. Will need to be able to turn around design requests quickly.

Requirements:     Graphic design experience.

Time Commitment: 10-15 hrs/month

* This is a virtual opportunity

Volunteer application →

Communications Team Member

Responsibilities: Working within Marcom team, help grow awareness of SVPP, its mission, brand, programs, and services. Support development of all SVPP communications including marketing collateral materials and electronic communications (Mailchimp) including SVPP’s website and social media. Assist with the maintenance of the organization's mailing lists and support communication efforts out to various stakeholders of the organization (general public, volunteer population, donors, etc.). Work closely with the Marcom team and SVPP leadership team.

Requirements:     Prior experience in marketing and communications, especially email marketing applications such as Mailchimp. Must be creative, have excellent organizational and communication skills; experience with design software and computer programs as well as social media channels. 

Time Commitment: 5-10 hrs/week

* This is a virtual opportunity

Volunteer application →

Animal Marketing Evangelist

Responsibilities: Assist in providing digital marketing support for SVPP adoptable pets, especially those who have special needs and have been in foster care for an extended period of time. May coordinate photo shoots, video shoots and work directly with foster parents. May also provide guidance to foster parents on how to better market their foster pets. Provide assistance with the pet's biography, making necessary updates. Come up with fresh, innovative marketing campaigns for adoptable animals.

Requirements: Must be creative, tech-savvy, and have prior experience with rescue animals.

Time Commitment:15-20 hrs/month

* This is a virtual opportunity

Volunteer application →

Social Media Team Member

Responsibilities: Support SVPP's social media team in building and implementing social media campaigns. Ensure appropriate messaging is executed online incorporating Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.

Requirements: Proficient in social media platforms. Experience building and coordinating a team of volunteers. PR or marketing experience is a plus. Must maintain knowledge of our adoptable animals. Flexible schedule that allows for monitoring of all social media platforms throughout the day.

Time Commitment: 20-30 hrs/month

* This is a virtual opportunity

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Mobile Web Designer/Developer (Project)

Responsibilities: Responsible for helping convert existing website to mobile design. Duties may include design and development, including the creation of custom graphics, designing the user interface, and overall customer experience for the mobile website. 

Requirements:     Previous experience in web design/development, technical capacity, and communication proficiency. Ability to work in a team environment.

Time Commitment: 10-15 hrs/week during the project

* This is a virtual opportunity

Volunteer application →

Pet Photographer

Responsibilities: Take striking photos of our adoptable animals to show them at their best, cropping and editing as needed. The animals' photos will be posted on SVPP’s website and social media to promote our animals for adoption. Photos may be taken in a studio, in the foster family’s home, outdoors or at adoption events. SVPP can provide backdrops and other equipment if needed.

Requirements: You must own a digital camera (an SLR camera is preferred) and have the ability to take nice, clear photos. Must have the technical ability to load and edit photos; reliable computer and internet service.

Time Commitment:     5-6 hrs/month

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Event Photographer

Responsibilities:     Document SVPP events through pictures. Photographers will be photographing the crowd, events, and activity, etc. It is a fun opportunity to help animals in need!

Requirements:     You must own a digital camera (an SLR camera is preferred) and have the ability to take nice, clear photos. Must have the technical ability to load and edit photos; reliable computer and internet service.

Time Commitment:     5-6 hrs/month

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Videographer

Responsibilities:     Create compelling videos of our adoptable animals, document SVPP special events, and assist in creating marketing campaigns. Videos will be posted on SVPP’s website and social media platforms to promote our organization and adoptable animals.

Requirements: We welcome both experienced and novice videographers. Must be able to work with the creative team to bring their vision to life. Must supply your own equipment.

Time Commitment:     Varies, based on the project

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Pup Plaza, SVPP Dog Community Center

Community Outreach Team Member

Responsibilities: Help promote adoption events, fundraisers and special pets via Next Door, elist, etc., in specific neighborhoods. Provides educational materials on animal welfare resources available to neighborhoods or participates in special projects. Responds to various community support requests.

Requirements: Volunteers should have a strong commitment to animal rescue, great working knowledge of the adoption process and enjoy working with people as well as knowledge of animal welfare challenges (i.e. need for spay/neuter, community cats support, etc).

Time Commitment:     Flexible schedule and ongoing commitment.

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Events Team Member

Responsibilities:   Support event planning team by participating in and/or promoting events held at Pup Plaza or in the community representing Silicon Valley Pet Project. May coordinate and/or supervise volunteers involved in fundraising and special events such as booths at local festivals and community events to promote SVPP's message and community participation.

Requirements: Strong organizational and supervisory skills, enjoy working with people and pets, prior event planning experience preferred.

Time Commitment: Varies depending on number of events

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Event Photographer

Responsibilities:    Document SVPP events through pictures. Photographers will be photographing the crowd, events, and activity, etc. It is a fun opportunity to help animals in need!

Requirements:    You must own a digital camera (an SLR camera is preferred) and have the ability to take nice, clear photos. Must have the technical ability to load and edit photos; reliable computer and internet service.

Time Commitment:    5-6 hrs/month

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Program Support Coordinator

Responsibilities: Coordinate tasks and activities for new and existing programs at Pup Plaza. Must be detail-oriented, able to multi-task, strong project management skills required. Team player with a sense of humor!

Requirements: Enjoy working with people and pets, great communication skills, attention to detail and great at follow thru on tasks. 

Time Commitment: 10-15 hrs/month

Multiple openings

Volunteer application →

Volunteer Management

Volunteer Coordinator

Responsibilities: The position will oversee and implement all aspects of the volunteer program including recruitment, screening, placement, retention, appreciation, evaluation, and development. Respond to all volunteer inquiries, and have a general idea of the volunteer needs of the organization.

Requirements: In this critical position, the volunteer should have strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize and build rapport with people. Experience managing people and/or volunteers strongly preferred solid working knowledge of Silicon Valley Pet Project.

Time Commitment: Must be flexible; 20+ hrs/week.

Volunteer application →

Youth Program Coordinator

Responsibilities: Develop and manage youth programs that help young citizens grow into compassionate adults, responsible and better-educated pet caregivers, and supporters of animal protection.

Requirements: Embody SVPP values and ethics; basic communication skills and an enthusiasm for our purpose; creative thinking and a positive outlook and experience working with youth programs.

Time Commitment: 10-15 hrs/month

Volunteer application →