South Bend Animal Resource Center

Donate to SBARC           

SBARC has a special fund set up to receive individual gifts, donations, and bequests that has been established by the City of South Bend. Donations to SBARC go directly to the Animal Resource Center to assist in our operations and caring for our animals. All donations are tax-deductible under IRS Code 170(c)(1). You may donate by cash, check, or credit card by visiting the shelter, or you can use PayPal to give now.

We always welcome donated pet supplies during our regular business hours. You can also send items directly through a subscription service or online marketplace to our address.

Because many pets have sensitive stomachs we try to keep their food consistent by feeding Purina Dog or Cat Chow. Please contact us for more information on donating pet supplies and to find out what items we are currently in of and are accepting.

Volunteer

SBARC is always looking for friendly, outgoing, and passionate volunteers. Our volunteers enhance the experience of the animals staying at the Animal Resource Center by walking dogs, playing with cats, and keeping the shelter clean. They assist with adoption events, fundraising efforts, and greeting our visitors. Volunteer applications can be emailed to us by clicking here.  Here are just a few of our volunteer opportunities:

Animal Transportation 

The animal transport volunteer will be providing local and long-distance transportation of animals to rescues, medical appointments, and adoption and outreach events in their personal vehicle.

Care Attendant

Care attendant volunteers help with daily animal care and animal husbandry responsibilities. These volunteers will assist staff with cleaning and maintaining cages and kennels and play a vital role in providing adoptable animals with a clean cage/kennel, enrichment, and a sanitary environment while they await their forever home.

Cat Socializer

Cat socializers are a vital part in keeping shelter cats happy and healthy during their stay with us. The purpose of the cat socializer volunteer is to give cats daily interaction through play, petting, grooming, and spending time with them.

Dog Walker

Dog walkers provide shelter dogs the opportunity to get outside, stretch their legs, socialize and work on positive behaviors that will aid her/him in finding their forever home. Dog walking volunteers improve the quality of life for dogs in our care during their stay with us.

Enrichment Team

Enrichment team volunteers will play a vital role in preparing and distributing enrichment items to animals in our care. Enrichment provides animals with mental and physical stimulation they need to stay occupied, happy, and healthy. This is great for families with younger children that want to help shelter animals!

Graphic Design

Graphic Design volunteers assist in the creation of marketing and program communications for South Bend Animal Resource Center (SBARC). Adoption promotion flyers, handouts, brochures, event signage, newsletters and graphics are all types of documents these volunteers help us create.

Groundskeeper

The groundskeeper volunteer will be responsible for basic outdoor maintenance such as weeding, landscaping, snow removal, etc. By volunteering as a volunteer groundskeeper, this volunteer may be exposed to inclement weather conditions.

Housekeeping 

Housekeeping volunteers assist with laundry, washing dishes, and keeping public areas of the Animal Resource Center clean and presentable. Housekeeping volunteers help ensure animals have soft clean blankets to lay their head on, clean toys to play with, and clean bowls to eat/drink from.

Humane Education

The humane education volunteer will be involved in community building and outreach programs, neighborhood association meetings, and literature (flyers, newsletters, etc.) production. This position is best suited for individuals with a background or special interest in education and human/animal relations.

Facility Care and Maintenance

The facility care and maintenance volunteer will be responsible for basic indoor maintenance such as building upkeep and repairs. This volunteer position may be on an as needed basis.

Medical Team Member

The specialized volunteer role will be providing basic medical care such as rabies vaccinations, triaging of animals, surgeries, vaccinations, check-ups, as well as consultation by phone on medical care for animals at SBARC. Medical registration or licensure is required for this volunteer position.

Office/Administrative Assistant

This volunteer role will act as a customer relations associate. This volunteer role is responsible for making guests feel welcome when calling and visiting SBARC and performing various front office duties. Some duties may include: answering questions, answering phone calls, processing adoption applications, entering information into our computer program, sending faxes etc.

Photographer/Videographer

The volunteer photographer/videographer will be taking pictures and videos for marketing, adoptions, and public relations purposes—therefore, all pictures/videos taken by volunteers of South Bend Animal Resource Center’s animals or facilities, shall not be distributed by any other agency other than SBARC, or approved affiliates. Prior to distributing images on personal social media pages, please seek approval from the Volunteer Coordinator or staff member. At times, volunteers may be asked to update various sites such as Petfinder with pictures of the animals up for adoption. Volunteer photographers are welcome to enhance any and all images to depict SBARC in a positive light to the community. Any misuse of photos taken by the volunteer of SBARC animals, property, or facilities, could result in termination of volunteer partnership.

Special Events

The special event volunteer is the face of the organization out in the community at various events. This volunteer role may require taking animals to adoption events or assisting with fundraisers on a small or large scale.

Please contact us to learn more and find out how to join the SBARC volunteer team.