Volunteer for a Day at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center
Looking for volunteer opportunities in Riverside? Want to complete community service hours, participate in a corporate volunteer project, or support homeless pets without making a long-term commitment?
Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center offers one-day volunteer opportunities for individuals, students, families, service organizations, community groups, and corporate teams who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals.Be sure to also check out our
Whether you're searching for animal shelter volunteer opportunities, student volunteer hours, team-building activities, or ways to give back to your community, our Volunteer for a Day program provides hands-on opportunities to support pets and the people who care for them.
Volunteer Project Areas
Projects are based on the Center's current needs and may vary throughout the year. Volunteer opportunities may include:
Foster Starter Kits
Help support orphaned puppies and kittens in foster care by organizing donated supplies, assembling foster totes, and preparing resource materials for foster families. Groups may also choose to host a donation drive before their service day.
Maintenance Club
Join a hands-on group of volunteers who help keep our campus safe, functional, and welcoming for pets, staff, volunteers, and visitors. Projects may include minor facility repairs, painting, organizing storage areas, campus beautification, light landscaping, assembling equipment, and other improvement projects.
Sewing Team
Use your sewing or crafting skills to create practical and comforting items for the animals and programs at the Center. Projects may include blankets, bedding, enrichment items, foster supplies, event materials, and handmade items that may support fundraising or thrift store opportunities.
Thrift Store Support
Assist with sorting, organizing, pricing, and displaying donated items in our thrift store. Revenue generated through the thrift store helps support the care of animals at the Center.
Campus Beautification
Help keep our campus welcoming for visitors, adopters, volunteers, and pets through landscaping, painting, cleaning, and beautification projects.
Program & Education Projects
Support our Humane Education and community programs by assembling activity kits, preparing educational materials, creating enrichment items, and assisting with special projects.
Organization & Maintenance Projects
Assist with organizing storage areas, preparing supplies, assembling materials, light cleaning, and other projects that help our staff operate efficiently and focus on animal care.
Special Events Support
Throughout the year, volunteers may help prepare materials, organize supplies, and assist with event setup for fundraising and community events.
Community Service Hours
Volunteer for a Day opportunities are a great option for students, service clubs, and community members looking to complete community service hours while making a meaningful difference for pets in need.
Verification of volunteer service hours is available upon request.
Important Information
- Volunteer projects do not include direct animal handling.
- Working directly with animals requires additional training and participation in our ongoing volunteer program.
- Projects are available Tuesday through Saturday, based on organizational needs and staff availability.
- We request at least 30 days' notice for group volunteer projects.
- Groups are generally limited to 10 participants. Larger groups may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis.
Ready to make a difference? Complete a Group/One-Day Volunteer Inquiry to get started.
Group/One Day Volunteer Inquiry
Looking for Animal Handling or Dog Walking Opportunities?
Not sure a Volunteer for a Day project is the right fit? We offer several other ways to support pets and connect with fellow animal lovers.
PAC Walk: Walk with Adoptable Pets in Riverside
Join us for PAC Walk, a free monthly community walk where participants help our adoptable dogs enjoy exercise, fresh air, and socialization while exploring the scenic trails around the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. No long-term commitment is required—just show up and walk! PAC Walk is open to participants ages 14 and older and is a great way to meet fellow animal lovers while helping shelter pets shine.
Team Building with Dogs
Looking for a unique team-building experience? Our Team Building with Dogs program gives businesses, organizations, and groups the opportunity to work directly with shelter dogs while strengthening teamwork, communication, and employee engagement.
Learn more about Team Building with Dogs:
Whether you're looking for volunteer opportunities, community service hours, dog walking experiences, or corporate team-building activities, there are many ways to make a difference for pets in need at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center.