The center is thankful to have the support of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers assist staff in implementing the center’s programs and goals. Volunteers contribute to a variety of important tasks, including keeping the facility clean, helping visitors, providing animal care, and socializing adoptable animals. Areas of service include cat, dog, rabbit, foster care, animal transport, and community events/outreach.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
General Volunteer Requirements
To volunteer at the center, one must be:
- At least 18 years old.
- Able to commit to a weekly, assigned shift in animal care or to at least two foster assignments per year.
- Available to make a one-year commitment.
- Able to email and use the internet well.
- Able to support staff in meeting the center's Mission and Goals.
- Not volunteering for a court-mandated reason.
- Comfortable interacting with people and animals.
To get started as a volunteer, send an email to iaccinterestlist@cityofirvine.org with your chosen role as the subject line.
Foster Care
The center is proud to provide all the necessary training, supplies, and support you will need to care for your foster animals. This includes things like bowls, bedding, carriers, food, litter, medication, and veterinary services. Foster animals return to the center once they are ready for adoption.
Program Requirements
- Able to lift and carry 25 lbs.
- Able to meet the Essential Capabilities for Foster Care.
- At least two hours per day to care for the animals; most often for 4–6 weeks.
- A quiet, secure place inside the home that’s completely separate from family pets.
- Ability to transport animals to the center for routine veterinary care.
- A willingness to implement basic behavior training (provided).
- Flexibility to accept animals on short notice.
Available Opportunities
The Irvine Animal Care Center needs foster caregivers for our:
- Behavior Foster Program – dogs who need extra care before adoption.
- Large breed mama dogs with puppies.
- Animals recovering from injury or surgery.
- Underage puppies and kittens.
Learn More About the Foster Care Program
Animal Transport
The primary responsibility of the Transport Volunteer is to drive animals from the Irvine Animal Care Center to rescue organizations, foster care, and/or wildlife rehabilitation centers in Orange County using their own vehicle. The position does not include animal handling.
- Able to lift and carry 30 lbs.
- Able to meet the Essential Capabilities.
- Must be at least 21 years old, pass a Live Scan background check (free), and have proof of a current driver’s license and auto insurance, as well as access to a vehicle.
- Be able to respond to same-day requests for transport via text message. Requests will typically be made mid-day, but may be as early as 8 a.m. or as late as 5 p.m. Volunteer will be credited with volunteer time and may track mileage for personal tax purposes, but will not receive compensation for fuel, vehicle maintenance, or any other cost incurred in conjunction with this volunteer assignment.
You may check back periodically or follow our social media channels for future recruitment announcements. If you would like to be notified of the next volunteer recruitment, join our interest list by sending an email to iaccinterestlist@cityofirvine.org.
Need More Flexibility?
Here are other ways you can help the animals:
- Collect towels, newspaper, and cardboard paper towel tubes to drop off for the animals during center hours.
- Make and donate:
- Visit our social media outlets at the bottom of this page and share our posts.
For additional volunteer opportunities with the City of Irvine, visit our Volunteer Opportunities web page.
