Volunteer · Partnered with Civic Champs
Every hour you give helps a pet get home
Join Fayette County's community of compassionate hearts. Whether you volunteer weekly or whenever your schedule allows, your time builds the confidence, trust, and joy that get animals adopted.
Not sure where you'd fit? Tell us what you love doing and we'll find your spot.
Easy check-in
Use the Civic Champs app on-site — no paperwork.
Simple scheduling
Browse the calendar and pick shifts that fit your life.
Track your hours
Your service record, kept accurate in one place.
Need help getting started? Email volunteer@janssenanimalshelter.org and we'll find the right fit together.
Ways to help
Pick your role
Flexible support
Shelter Superstar
Best for volunteers who want variety — laundry, cleaning, admin support, facility upkeep, and visitor assistance. The behind-the-scenes work that keeps the shelter safe and calm.
Hands-on with dogs
Tail-Wagging Tour Guide
Direct time with dogs: walking, exercise, one-on-one companionship, and trust building that gives our pups confidence and a better shot at adoption.
Hands-on with cats
Feline Fun Facilitator
Gentle interaction for cat lovers: affection and playtime, comfort care, photography, and grooming that helps cats feel safe, playful, and noticed.
Youth & community service
Everyone can serve
We offer safe, supervised, age-appropriate opportunities for youth volunteers — building tomorrow's animal advocates. We also welcome court-ordered, school, and organizational community service. Contact us to arrange it.
Got a special skill?
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Technical
Web, IT support, and digital tools
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Legal
Contract review and compliance help
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Educational
Workshops and outreach programs
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Marketing
Social media, content, photography
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Craftsmanship
Building, repairs, custom enclosures
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Medical
Veterinary services and wellness
Youth volunteers
Never too young to change a life
Young people make a real difference at GJAS while building responsibility, compassion, and community-service hours. Volunteers 15 and under bring a parent or guardian who stays on site — and please call ahead to confirm youth opportunities that day.
At the shelter
- Tales for Tails — Read to dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens
- Socialize puppies & kittens — Holding, petting, and play that builds people-trust
- Bathe puppies — Help get pups clean and adoption-ready (staff-directed)
- Dog & cat friends — Play, brush, visit, or sit quietly with animals who need company
- Helping hands — Laundry, dishes, stocking donations, and light cleaning
Even from home
- Make enrichment toys with shelter-approved materials
- Host a donation drive with your class, team, or troop
- Fundraise — lemonade stands, bake sales, birthday fundraisers
- Celebrate with a purpose: shelter donations instead of birthday gifts
- Share adoptable animals and shelter events (with a parent's help)
Contact us before starting a project so we can confirm current needs. Hours may count toward school service requirements, National Honor Society, Scouts, and college applications.
Ready to make tails wag?
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Every paw print matters.
