Volunteering with MaxFund

MaxFund wants everyone who is passionate about animals to be able to spend that enthusiasm and passion at MaxFund. However, because we are a no-kill shelter, we do occasionally have dogs and cats from unknown backgrounds and safety needs to be our top priority! Those under 18 still have options for volunteering and we hope you make MaxFund your volunteering choice! We don't have any volunteering programs specifically designed for kids, but you are welcome to do the same volunteering activities that everyone else can, with the stipulations below.

If you are between 16-17 years old...

If you are 16-17 years old, you are able to volunteer at MaxFund without having to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For legal reasons, additional steps must take place. A waiver will need to be signed by you and at least one parent/guardian. This waiver is available at the end of the volunteer application and will need to be signed in the presence of a MaxFund staff member. You will attend orientation along with other volunteers, which allows you to volunteer 365 days a year, 7am-6pm, doing all the things volunteers are allowed to do at MaxFund.

If you are between 14-15 years old...

If you are 14-15 years old, you are welcome to volunteer at MaxFund but you do have to be accompanied by a parent at all times while volunteering, including during the orientation. Also, volunteers must be 16 years old to be in control of the leash while walking dogs outside of the shelter. Some exceptions to being accompanied may be handled on a case-by-case basis, but generally speaking anyone under 16 years old needs to be accompanied by a parent at all times.

For more information, please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@maxfund.org or 303-595-4917 ext. 106. 

MaxFund does allow court-ordered community service hours be performed at MaxFund, with certain stipulations. The volunteering is more structured then our regular volunteer program (because we are liable to the court, volunteers must be supervised in their duties and it can't just be petting cats or walking dogs like "regular" volunteers are allowed to do) and typically involve only cleaning duties. All community service hours must be approved in advance by the Volunteer Coordinator, who can be reached at sheltermanager@maxfund.org

Volunteers for community service hours don't need to go through the standard orientations, as their duties and direct interaction with the animals will be limited.

If you are a regular ongoing volunteer and need to have some community service hours, other arrangements may be made, but they must go through the Volunteer Coordinator.

More and more schools are requiring a certain number of community service hours per year. While these hours MAY be completed at MaxFund, they must be done within the parameters of our normal volunteer program and  age restrictions. 

If you are looking to complete just a few hours, while your interest is appreciated, MaxFund may not be the best place for your time. We are looking for four hours a month, with a minimum of a six-month committment. If you are interested and are willing to meet the minimum commitment request, then you (and your parents if you are under age) are encouraged to apply to become volunteers. 

Because of how long it takes to get volunteers started once they turn in their applications (generally 3 weeks to a month depending on the time of year), we would recommend you get started as soon as possible. To be fair to all volunteers, we don't push any volunteers forward in line to get them processed earlier so they can meet their school deadlines, so please plan accordingly if you are interested in volunteering with MaxFund.