Opportunities From: City of Bloomington Volunteer Network

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Bloomington Animal Shelter. We appreciate your willingness to help support animals in our community! We are sorry, but the waitlist is currently closed. Please do not "Respond" to this opportunity due to the closure. You may read more about our eligibility guidelines below for future reference.  The waitlist has filled in record time, with over 250 entries. It will be closed now until the fall. Please check back here or our volunteer webpage here: https://bton.in./vol for the most updated information. Feel free to look into options to be a volunteer foster under that listed opportunity and thank you for your interest in volunteering! General Volunteering Information:

We are unable to do short-term volunteering due to the amount of training required to keep everyone safe, so volunteers must serve a minimum of 6 months of service, and are welcome to stay longer, of course! 

Volunteers are required to complete a 2-hour weekly shift (some positions have longer shifts) and serve a minimum of 6 months(aside from breaks and vacations). Volunteers who are 13-15 years of age must be accompanied by a legal guardian at all times. Volunteers aged 16 yrs and older may volunteer on their own.

All applicants must pass our screening process, and cannot have a negative history with the Bloomington Animal Shelter, or have a history of any violent, severe, or animal-related offenses. We reserve the right to refuse an individual if we feel it is in the best interest of the Bloomington Animal Shelter and the animals for which we provide care. 

*Please do not "Respond" to this opportunity, all info you need can be accessed from the link below. Thank you!

It has never been easier to help us save lives. In 2024, foster families took 56% of the animals that came through our shelter into their homes. Our foster team provided socialization, training, love and consistency to well over 1,800 animals in our community. Help us make that number even bigger!

Fostering is important because it helps reduce overcrowding in shelters and opens up space for another animal to be saved. It also helps prepare animals for adoption by giving them a chance to live in a home where they can fully express their personality, work to overcome fears, or recover from trauma.

Join the Animal Shelter’s foster network now by completing the online application, orientation, and quiz! You will then be added to the foster opportunity update list. You then choose when to raise your hand if and when you are ready to take on a new foster …or two.

This is a family-friendly opportunity!

Apply here and complete your training online: https://bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter/foster

Community Service or Court-Mandated Volunteer Service:

If you are required to do Community Service or Restitution, DO NOT add yourself to the volunteering waitlist. Please do not "respond" to this opportunity, this post is for information only. Please call 812-349-3492 with any questions. 

There is no application for community service and you do not need to schedule your hours in advance. However, we must receive a copy of your Community Service paperwork, usually from the Probation Department, before you can begin any hours. That paperwork can either be faxed to us at 812-349-3440 or you can bring it with you on your first visit and speak to an Administrative Assistant. We do not accept everyone, and cannot accept those with any violent offenses or offenses against animals.

Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8-4pm. As long as we have your paperwork, you can come to the Shelter any time during those hours and check-in at the front desk to log your hours and receive an assignment. Please contact the Front Desk directly with any questions: 812-349-3492.

Please do not "Respond" to this opportunity, this post is for information only. You can find more info about our donations here: https://bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter/donate-supplies

Please send any questions here: animal@bloomington.in.gov

Amazon Registry

Donations are much appreciated. Please see our Amazon registry for the supplies we need the most. 

Bloomington Animal Shelter Wishlist Wet cat and dog food (top priority need!) Soft dog treats (Moist and Meaty, Pupperoni, Beggin Strips, etc.) (top priority need!) Small/medium flavored dry dog treats (please no large size, we have plenty; thank you!)Purell Hand Sanitizer, or low odor sanitizer (please no strong-smelling liquid sanitizer)
NO CAT TREATS PLEASE (we are full on these, thank you!) Dog toys (e.g., Kongs, Nyla bones, stuffed animals, etc.) Cat toys (cat wands, catnip mice, balls, etc.) CatnipSpray Cheese or Easy CheesePlastic dog or cat cratesWire Crates all sizes Contractor Size Trash Bags Kitchen size trash bags Clip or slip leashes (used but clean okay)Bleach Paper towels Dish Soap (Dawn preferred, any acceptable!) Laundry SoapDog houses in good condition Towels, blankets, sheets, rugs (used but clean okay! No pillows please, comforters ok!

Dry Food may be donated as long as it is in the original packaging to avoid contamination. It can be open, but must be sealed. Any food that cannot be used at BACC will passed on to the the Monroe County Humane Association for their community food pantry.

Monetary donations are also welcome and greatly appreciated!

Donations are accepted at our location, or can be mailed to:  Bloomington Animal Care and Control, 3410 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47401. Checks should be written to BACC(Bloomington Animal Care and Control).

Material donations may be dropped off in the brown plastic bench outside the west side door marked "Administration" anytime, or in the Front Lobby when we are open. Monetary donations are accepted Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12-5pm, Saturday from 12pm-3pm, and Sunday from 12pm-3pm, or you may make a donation over the phone. Please contact BACC at (812) 349-3492 with any questions regarding donations.