Wags & Walks

Wags for Good, a community impact initiative of Wags and Walks, is partnering with LA Animal Services to improve the adoptability of shelter dogs, with a focus on reducing surrenders and supporting community pets. We’re looking for skilled veterinary professionals to join us for a meaningful, hands-on volunteer experience.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Performing and supporting with dental cleaning and extraction surgeries on adoptable dogs and cats at North Central LA Animal Shelter
• Helping senior dogs and other shelter animals become healthier and more adoptable
• Gaining hands-on surgical experience with unique access to city shelter operations

All surgeries are led by the shelter’s lead DVM. All drugs used fall under the North Central Animal Shelter’s license. Volunteers will complete an LA Animal Services waiver (not a Wags and Walks waiver).

Schedule 

Shifts are approximately 5 hours and are available between Tuesdays-Thursdays.

Commitment to one shift per month for at least three consecutive months is required. 

Requirements

Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT)

• Must be 18 years or older
• Current RVT license in the state of California
• Experience with anesthetic dental cleanings and extractions on dogs and cats
• Full knowledge of anesthetic and surgical protocols
• Ability to lead a team of veterinary professional volunteers in a surgical capacity under DVM supervision
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to stand for up to 5 hours and perform physical tasks as needed

Vet Techs & Veterinary Assistants

• Must be 18 years or older
• Graduate of a veterinary program or institution
• Minimum 1 year of professional veterinary experience in surgery (dogs and cats)
• Confidence and competence with surgical recovery
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to stand for up to 5 hours and perform physical tasks as needed

Before Your First Shift

• An initial virtual call to chat and answer any questions you may have will be required 
• An second meeting in-person at our adoption center to connect and review surgical flow will be required 
• For RVTs, a short technical assessment will be conducted at the in person meeting to confirm readiness before participation

Want to Get Involved or Have Questions?

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Depending on what kind of dog you are comfortable with (large dog, small dog, puppy, senior), we will fit you with the perfect dog for you to foster! During the time that you are fostering, all we ask is that you care for your foster dog and provide him/her with love and comfort during their transition from shelter to home. The benefits of fostering are endless, but according to our current fosters the best part is knowing that you played a crucial role in saving a life!

If you are interested in helping us reach out to corporations, local businesses, and anywhere and everywhere in between, we appreciate all of the help that we can get. Or, if you or someone you know has an amazing auction item to donate for our annual gala, we would love to meet you!

As a member of Wags Club, you’ll walk and feed our adoptable dogs as they await their forever homes. This is such an important volunteer role, as you’ll help the dogs adjust from their previous lives at the shelter and give them the love and attention they deserve, sometimes for the first time in their lives. We have Wags Club shifts everyday of the week from 6am to 8pm. Children 15+ are more than welcome to walk dogs alone with signed permission from a parent.