To Help

Wish List

Listed below are items the Columbia Animal Shelter needs to enhance conditions for the animals. All donations are tax-deductible. Though we cannot pick up your donation, we will happily provide you with a receipt. Please bring your donations to the shelter at 127 Humane Lane.

• Clean blankets. Always in need. Please pre-clean.
• Electric fans. The larger, the better.
• Electric drop cords. Any length of heavy, outdoor gauge, in good condition is welcomed.
• Towels.
• Paper towels.
• Liquid detergent and bleach.

Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for wanting to help the animals here at the City of Columbia’s Animal Shelter. The Animal Mission supports the shelter in providing many services for our community, and there are ways YOU can help too!

Dog/Cat Socializing
If you enjoy the feel of fur, come and brush the dogs and cats. Often this is the first time these animals have had someone really care for them. They learn to love a warm voice and a soft touch while waiting for loving permanent homes. The dogs also need practice walking on a leash. You may socialize anytime Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00. You must call the shelter ahead of time to be put on the schedule because we only have room for 2 or 3 at a time. As of February 2006 you will need to attend a Dog Walking Training Session before you will be allowed to walk the dogs. Please wear closed-toe shoes (not flip-flops) for safety reasons. Sign in on the Volunteer Timesheet at the front desk and get a Volunteer Smock to wear.
Wish to volunteer? Need more information? Just send us an email.

Spay/Neuter Vouchers
In order to lower the high numbers of animals being brought to the shelter, we‘re targeting high surrender zip codes with free spay/neuter vouchers. We need volunteers to go door to door delivering these free vouchers (you don’t go in, just leave them by the mailbox) or to follow the Pet Med route meeting in various parking lots for shots and hand out vouchers to those in line.
Wish to volunteer? Need more information? Just send us an email.

Interactive Exhibit
Do you like talking to parents and children? We have a traveling animal shelter play station that goes to parks/schools/museums. This exhibit has many interactive activities in which the children use their imaginations as they “work” in a pretend shelter. Volunteers are needed to work 3-hour shifts to answer questions, provide public information and supervise the activities.
Wish to volunteer? Need more information? Just send us an email.

Walk in the Vista
If you just don’t enjoy a walk without having a leash in your hand, join our program to exercise adoption dogs. You will take one dog wearing a special adoption vest walking downtown/in the Vista. The goal is to provide exercise and socialization for kenneled dogs as well as to increase public awareness of the availability of shelter dogs. You will not be adopting these dogs on the walk, but you will be a doggy ambassador representing the shelter and providing information to the public. A pre-training session is required.
Wish to volunteer? Need more information? Just send us an email.

Landscaping
Bring flowers to plant in seasonal beds, weed, trim and make the shelter look welcoming.
Wish to volunteer? Need more information? Just send us an email.

Pet Therapy
Take a kitten to various retirement homes for a pet therapy visit. Pre-training is required.
Wish to volunteer? Need more information? Just send us an email.

Cheerleader
Bring flowers, goodies (cookies, hand lotion, etc.) and a kind word to the staff to remind them that their hard work is appreciated.
Wish to volunteer? Need more information? Just send us an email.

Grant Writing
Help us find and apply for grants to use in expanding shelter adoptions and interest.
Wish to volunteer? Need more information? Just send us an email.

Columbia Animal Shelter Intern
Help socialize and exercise the animals for adoption as part of the shelters daily routine. Morning hours with some flexibility.
Wish to volunteer? Need more information? Just send us an email.

Call Carole Williams, Humane Education, 776-7387, with specific questions or to sign-up for a program.