Volunteer.

Volunteering for animals. Need we say more?

Volunteering at the Potter League can be a fun and gratifying experience as you work with animals and fellow animal lovers. We depend on great volunteers to keep our organization thriving.
Volunteer Login

Become a Volunteer

When you volunteer at the Potter League, you are joining a family of volunteers and staff committed to providing love and support for the homeless pets in our care. Please take the following steps to begin the process:

1

Attend a general information session. Sessions are held monthly in our Education Room and cover information about our mission, programs & services, volunteer opportunities, and the minimum requirements for all volunteers.

2

After attending a general information session, we will email you a volunteer application. We ask that you complete this application where you will self-schedule an orientation class as well. This orientation class includes a tour of the shelter and its inner workings and safety protocols, as well as an introduction to the many opportunities available to volunteers.

3

We ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of 4 hours a month for 6 months, as well as a one-time $20 fee (waived for college students) that covers the administrative processing, name tags and volunteer uniform.

See Upcoming Information Session Dates

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways to get involved at the Potter League, and help in any area is greatly appreciated. Below is an overview of the opportunities available.

Dogs

Dog Walking (ages 15 and up)
Head Start Trainer
Long Distant Dog Transport
Puppy/Bather Socializing
Team Dog – Morning Care
Veterinary Transports
Foster Care

Cats

Cat Socialization
Team Cat – Morning Care
Veterinary Transports
Foster Care

Events

Event/Outreach Events
Greeter
Photography/Media

Shelter

Baking/Cooking
Clerical/Office Work
Data Entry
Donation Canister Program
Foster Care
Lawn Care/Gardening
Office Assistant
Pet Assisted Activities
Photography/Media
Rabbits/Small Mammal Socializing
Team Vet Transport

Education & Outreach

Camp Counselor
Humane Education Assistant
Therapy Pet Volunteers
Tour Guide
Youth Program Volunteer
Outreach Volunteer (Clinics & Pet Food Pantry)

Junior Volunteers

Under 15? Want To Volunteer? Join our Pet Pals Team!

Our Pet Pals Team is for youths from ages 6-14 and their supervising adults (21 or older). Volunteer teams comprised of one adult and up to two youths are called Pet Pal Teams. An application must be submitted for each child and adult.

Adult supervision is required at all times by the adult who attended the training with the child(ren). There is a limit of two children per adult.
Supervising adults must attend a General Information Session. Children are welcome to attend, as well.
Following the General Information Session, attendance at an orientation class is required of the supervising adult and child(ren).
A fee of $30 per family will be collected at the orientation class.
We ask that Pet Pal Teams volunteer for a minimum of 4 hours per month for 6 months.
Children under 15 yrs. are not permitted to walk dogs or accompany an adult walking a dog.
Children ages 6 through 9 may socialize with Level 1 cats and other small mammals.
Children ages 10 and up may socialize with Level 2 cats after completing further training. They may also assist with morning cat kennel cleaning with their supervising adult.
Children 14 yrs. and up may apply to become summer counselors at Camp Happy Tails, run by Eleanor Hanson, Humane Educator.

Become a Pet Pal

Foster Volunteers

All the joy of pet ownership without the commitment.

At the Potter League, we often have animals that need fostering because they’re too young, orphaned, or have a behavioral or medical condition that needs monitoring. Since these animals need more one-on-one time than we can give ourselves, we look for willing Foster Care volunteers to help us by taking these animals into their homes for a little while.

Foster animals are for all ages, though the primary foster parent(s) must be 18 years of age. Children are very welcome to assist with foster care when safe and appropriate.
We provide food, cat litter, and other supplies for foster animals.
In all cases, the Potter League makes arrangements and pays for medical care.
Primary foster volunteer must have own transportation.
Live within 40 miles of the shelter.
Abide by all state animal laws & regulations that apply to their area of residence.

You can decide to foster anywhere from two weeks to two months or more. And you can choose to foster just one time or many, many times. The more you foster, the more lives you save!

Foster Dog Application
Foster Cat Application

View Wish List

Student Volunteers

Meet pets. Earn service hours.

High school and middle school students with required community service hours are welcome and encouraged to fulfill these hours at the Potter League. This type of service is spent assisting with morning cleaning of our dog and cat rooms. It’s an ideal time to interact with the animals while contributing in a very important way.

Because you are directly interacting with the shelter animals, it is necessary to first become a volunteer. This is done by attending a General Information Session and then attending a training class (scheduled after the General Information Session).
Additional volunteering in any other area may be performed, but will not count towards the required hours.
Cleaning hours are from 8:00am-10:00am on any day(s) of the week that fits your schedule, including weekends. On-the-job training will be provided.
We ask that all volunteers donate a minimum of 4 hours a month for a minimum of 6 months.
There is a one-time $20 fee for all new volunteers to cover the cost of administrative processing, name tags and volunteer uniform.

Group Volunteers

Working together to make the world better.

Every day, we rely on our dedicated volunteers to help protect and care for the thousands of animals who come through our doors each year. The following are our Group Volunteering requirements:

Each Group is responsible for designating an onsite Team Leader.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to participate.
Volunteers should not be allergic to animals.
Volunteers must comply with the Potter League’s Volunteer Policies and Procedures.
Each volunteer must individually complete a Volunteer Release before participating.
For everyone’s safety and well-being, volunteers must be able to perform according to the physical demands of the project.
Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes; volunteers without closed-toe shoes will be unable to participate.
Volunteers should bring their own bottled water.
Volunteers must provide their own transportation to the activity location.
Volunteers should park in the main Potter League parking lot L unless otherwise directed.
Volunteers should secure personal possessions and valuables in their vehicles; onsite secured storage is not available.
Volunteers should check in at the site and time designated by the Potter League.

Grounds/Facilities Projects

According to schedule and season, volunteers may be needed for projects such as landscaping, painting, or building maintenance. These projects benefit from the support of a larger group and do not require specific training. We will let you know if such an opportunity coincides with your preferred dates.

Unexpected/Urgent Needs

If your group has the flexibility to respond on short notice during the unfortunate occurrence of natural disasters or other emergency situations, we would appreciate being able to call on your assistance. Such assistance may involve getting to the Potter League in adverse weather conditions, or other functions as directed by the Potter League staff. No specific training is required. Unexpected/Urgent Needs Group Volunteer activities will be scheduled as required.

Please note, due to the high volume of group volunteer requests, we may not be able to accommodate new group volunteer inquiries at this time.

Community Service

Ready to serve? We welcome you.

The Potter League accepts court ordered community service. Please call 401-846-8276 ext 100 to schedule an appointment. Please bring your driver’s license or state ID, and the required court documents. Minimum age for community service is eighteen. No violent, sexual, animal or drug related offenses are accepted.

Call about Court Ordered Community Service

Volunteer Recognition

The Potter League deeply appreciates the important role volunteers play in our mission and success. Here are a few of the ways we honor our most devoted volunteers.

Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

The Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is held annually. Volunteers who have logged 5 hours or more during the previous calendar year are treated to a recognition dinner in their honor.

Volunteer Appreciation Week

National Volunteer Appreciation Week takes place each year in April. Staff enjoys surprising volunteers each day with a special treat. All volunteers are invited to stop by during this fun-filled week.

2018 Volunteer of the Year: Andrea Reynolds

It is not easy to pick one volunteer for any award, since the Potter League is extremely fortunate to have an amazing group of people who donate their time day after day. As a great friend to everyone she comes in contact with, and as a superb ambassador for the Potter League, Andrea absolutely deserves this award. It was with heartfelt recognition that we bestowed the honor of 2018 Volunteer of the Year on Andrea Reynolds.

2018 Volunteer Family of the Year: Joe, Carrie, Colin, and Erin Cassady

People volunteer for all different reasons… they feel passionate about a cause and some people volunteer because they live their lives with the deep conviction that we all have a responsibility to actively make our world a better place. The family we are honored with the Volunteer Family of the Year Award is a family that exemplifies this and we would like to take this opportunity to recognize a truly amazing family as the volunteer family of the year, Joe, Carrie, Colin, and Erin Cassady.

2018 Lore Owens Award: Pat Galuska

The Lore Owens Award was created to honor a well-loved volunteer after her passing in 1999, and it is to recognize an “unsung” hero at the Potter League. And we were honored to present Pat Galuska with Lore Ownens Award for 2018.

2018 Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

The Volunteer Appreciation Celebration was held at the Potter League for Animals on February 2, 2019. The celebration was held in honor of all Potter League volunteers who logged 5+ hours or more during the 2018 calendar year.

Volunteer FAQs

Get more detailed information on common questions

How old do you have to be to become a volunteer?
The Potter League welcomes families to volunteer together. Children 6 years of age or older can participate in the volunteer experience with adult supervision. To volunteer independently, you must be 15 years of age or older. We All volunteers must be able to work independently and without supervision.All volunteers must be able to bend and lift 20 lbs.
Can any adult bring my child after that child has become a volunteer?
Adults ages 21 years or older who have also been through the volunteer training program may bring your child.
How old does my child need to be to be here alone?
Kids 15 years of age or older may volunteer here on their own. Prior to that, they are considered a part of a Pet Pals Team and are accompanied by an adult who has also been through the volunteer training. Once they are 15 years of age, they may also begin walking dogs.
Do I need to go through training if I don’t want to work with the animals?
You do not need to attend a General Information Session or any other required training classes if you want to be a Foster Care Provider, Grounds/Facility/Gardening, or Disaster Relief volunteer. If you want to volunteer with the Humane Education Programs, Events/Fundraising, or to be an Office Assistance Volunteer you do need to attend a General Information Session. You do not need to attend the training class that normally follows the General Information Session. Any other volunteer opportunities must attend a General Information Session as well as an orientation.
Once I’ve completed all the training, do I need to schedule times to come in and volunteer?
You are free to come and go as you please, unless you are coming in to help with morning kennel cleaning. Those volunteers schedule themselves online to help with that from 8AM-10AM.
How many animals does the Potter League handle each year?
Each year the Potter League typically receives 1,800 – 2,200 dogs, cats and small mammals. The biggest trend we have seen in the past five years is that fewer dogs are surrendered locally as a result of the many programs supporting and public attitudes about spaying and neutering. To meet the demand of our community for puppies and dogs, we now transport dogs from areas where the animal populations are high and euthanasia of adoptable animals is rampant. Through our Fetching Friends transport program, we reduce euthanasia while creating happy adopters!
How is the Potter League funded?
The Potter League is a private nonprofit organization with 501(c) (3) status. The League is funded by donations from individuals and charitable foundations; by our animal housing contracts; by income from an endowment and by funds from special events. Bequests help to ensure the ongoing financial stability of the League and, as with all gifts, are greatly appreciated. As a non‑profit, charitable organization, all donations to the Potter League are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our financial records are independently audited each year.
How long are animals kept at the Potter League?
The Potter League has no minimum or maximum holding period. We continue to make every effort to place them and provide many forms of enrichment so animals can thrive while in the shelter. Many of our volunteer programs focus on stress reduction for the animals and that has allowed us to keep animals for months on end before the appropriate home is found.
Stray dogs and cats entering Rhode Island shelters are held to give their owners time to find them. The Potter League’s stray holding period exceeds the legal requirements of Rhode Island law, our practice is to hold all stray dogs for 7 days and all stray cats for 5 days. Animals not claimed by their owners are then evaluated for adoption. In certain instances, the Potter League also places animals into foster homes outside of the shelter to help the dog or cat become more adoptable. Those animals may be under our care for many months.
Are there any additional requirements?
For the safety of all persons and our animals, we kindly ask that all volunteers be able to work independently and without supervision. All volunteers should be able to bend and lift 20 lbs.

Gail Lawson

401.846.8276 ext 106

Gail Lawson