TEARS recommends that volunteers wear clothes that can withstand muddy paws. It's also best not to arrive grumpy.

What Does a Kennel Volunteer Actually Do?

According to TEARS, kennel volunteers help with:

  • Dog Walking: getting rescue dogs and puppies out of their kennels and into some fresh air
  • Enrichment Activities: play, basic training and socialisation that makes a real difference to how adoptable a dog is
  • Puppy Hour: a dedicated weekly session (Sundays from 10:00 to 11:00) for extra play time

None of it requires special training at the outset. TEARS says it gets its volunteers ready with an orientation before they start. After that, it's all about showing up consistently for the dogs.

Why This is Worth the Time

TEARS says that volunteering at the kennels can be as simple as an hour or two once a week, and the payoff can be immediate. A dog that was anxious an hour ago might be relaxed and wagging its tail by the time the volunteers leave. 

What TEARS is Looking For

TEARS says it is ideally looking for volunteers who can commit to around four hours a month.

Volunteers don't need experience with dogs, just a willingness to learn and keep coming back. Long-term volunteers make a bigger difference than most might think. The dogs get used to familiar faces and that familiarity helps them settle in and become ready for adoption faster, says TEARS.

Before volunteers can walk the dogs, there's an orientation that runs over two Saturdays. Volunteers need to be 16 or older, with a parent or guardian along for anyone between 16 and 18. From 18, volunteers are free to attent solely, says TEARS.

Individuals interested in volunteering can fill in the form here.

For more information, visit www.tears.org.za. You can also follow TEARS on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor