We appreciate your interest in volunteering at Bideawee . Our mission is to create and strengthen the human-animal bond through best-in-class lifesaving and compassionate care for pets and the people who love them.
Apply to Volunteer in…
NYC | WANTAGH | WESTHAMPTON
Do you love animals and want to make a positive difference in their lives? As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to help care for our furry residents by providing them with a clean and safe shelter environment, assist with socializing and enrichment activities, support adoption events, and accompany our adoption counselors at the front desk.
Volunteer shifts are available from 8 am – 5 pm Sun – Sat. While all are welcome to apply, those with weekday availability may be prioritized.
Our applications are currently closed. Please check back at a later date for volunteer opportunities!
WANTAGH
Bideawee’s Wantagh location is primarily an intake and medical facility with limited adoptions. Here, volunteers help with cleaning, laundry, making enrichment toys, and socializing and interacting with the animals when they are cleared to do so. While we need your help, there is no guarantee animals are part of every PAWS shift at this site. Volunteer opportunities are for individuals 18 years and older. Other roles may include helping at events, administrative responsibilities, grounds and maintenance assistance and driving our transport and adoption vehicles.
Due to the nature of our work here and the number of animals we have on site at a given time, individuals who can commit to volunteering six months or longer will be considered.
Drivers needed!
Bideawee needs volunteer drivers! Our cats and dogs need a chauffeur – can you lend a hand? Volunteers are needed to drive our transport van to and from our three locations in NYC, Wantagh and Westhampton (although not necessarily all in one day.) We can only accept candidates who have a vehicle to get to our Wantagh location to pick up the van.
Please fill out our Wantagh application to get started!
WESTHAMPTON
Our Westhampton adoption center for dogs and cats focuses on providing our animals with top-tier enrichment, essential training programs, medical care, and compassionate behavioral rehabilitation in addition to find them their forever homes.
Cleaning & Animal Care Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! We’re pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for Cleaning & Animal Care Volunteers, but there may be a short delay in onboarding as we work through a small waiting list. Please be aware that this opportunity is currently only available for individual adults 18 years and older. Once your application is submitted, please check your email for additional messaging and information about this opportunity. We will continue to update the volunteer page routinely with updates on this and other roles as they become available. Thank you so much!
Pet Memorial Park Admin
The Westhampton Pet Memorial Park is seeking the help of an administrative volunteer, to assist with a long-term project. They are in the midst of switching software systems, and need assistance researching historical files, and updating both systems with current and historical records. The details for this role are as follows:
~Must be 18 years+.
~Must be proficient and familiar with desktops and laptops, and an eagerness to learn new systems.
~Available to volunteer once or twice weekly, between Monday and Friday. The days are flexible and may vary.
~Available between the hours of 9:00 and 5:00 for your shift, during Pet Memorial business hours. Afternoon preferred.
Please fill out our Westhampton application to get started!
TEEN VOLUNTEERS
We are currently at capacity with the Teen Group for the 2025-2026 School Year, and will be taking a “paws” in accepting new applications for this opportunity. We’ll begin accepting more Teen Volunteers again just before the Summer Season begins. Please check back here in June for updates – thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a volunteer?
Easy! In three steps!
Step One: Complete the online application form and a 20-minute orientation. (Please note, NYC currently has a waiting list.)
Step Two: Complete the onboarding process, which includes submitting essential documentation to run our free background check.
Step Three: Complete a meeting with the manager, facility tour and hands-on training that will provide you with all the experience you need.
What type of volunteer opportunities do you have?
So Many!
Dog and Cat Volunteers: Cleaning and working directly with animals at all locations
- Event/Community Outreach Volunteers
- Administrative Volunteers
- Greeters
- Transport Van Driver
- Pet Memorial Park Assistant
- Photography and Social Media
- And many more!
What days and times can I volunteer?
As days and times may vary per site, we have a fantastic volunteer app and website, MyImpact, where you can sign up for your weekly shifts, check the available opportunities, and even easily see upcoming events.
What training do volunteers receive?
By the time you start volunteering, you will be an expert in all things Bideawee, whether you want to work specifically with cats, dogs, or both!
We have three training levels for animal care: Green/Blue, Yellow, and Red. As you volunteer with our cats and dogs, you can advance your training levels but upon entry, volunteers are all trained at our Blue and Green level for dogs, cats, or both.
All new volunteers are matched with an experienced individual to answer questions and help get you get acclimated to Bideawee.
Can children volunteer?
Yes, they can!
In Manhattan and Westhampton, 13 to 15 years old can volunteer as a “shadow team” with an adult relative who is also a volunteer. A shadow team is trained and works as one volunteer, as they are never apart.
Those 16 to 17 years old can independently volunteer at our sites.
The Wantagh Bideawee site, also known as PAWS, Prevention and Wellness Satellite location (PAWS), is where our cats and dogs receive their first baths, get their vaccinations, and get any medical care they may need. Because of the medical nature of the operation, we ask that all applicants be 16 or older.
At the Wantagh site, due to the nature of working with isolation animals, volunteers ages 16 and 17 must provide a reference; this can be a trusted adult, coach, or teacher.
Benefits of volunteering at Bideawee for minors:
- Fulfill community service requirements
- Enhance college applications
- Become part of a community
- Build social, leadership, and communication skills
- Create a solid human-animal connection
Bideawee volunteers make a BIG impact!
41K
Volunteer Hours
316
Total Volunteers
135
Pet Therapy Visits
Contact Us
For more information about volunteering at any of our three locations please contact:
Manhattan
Julia Howe
Volunteer Manager
[email protected]
866-262-8133 x.7211
Wantagh
Franny Kent
Volunteer Manager
[email protected]
866-262-8133 x.7331
Westhampton
Deanna Maharaj
Volunteer Manager
[email protected]
866-262-8133 x.7118