Volunteer

Volunteer at the Shelter
Volunteer in Your Community

Like the idea of spending time outside, gathering with like-minded people for a worthy cause, and hanging out with lovable farm animals all in the same day? Sign up for a Volunteer Work Party at Farm Sanctuary’s New York or California Shelters!

Work Party Goals
The Farm Sanctuary Volunteer Work Party provides compassionate folks with a fun, positive opportunity to meet new friends, pitch in with chores and projects, spend time with rescued farm animals, and learn more about our sanctuaries and efforts to protect animals from abuse.

Work Party Chores
Work party chores and projects are determined according to our greatest and most timely needs. All work party days are devoted to activities that help us operate our sanctuaries, contribute to the success of our education and visitor programs, and further our campaign and fundraising efforts on behalf of farm animals. Farm chores and projects may include activities such as shelter maintenance and beautification (e.g., cleaning, raking, painting, and gardening) or administrative activities like stuffing envelopes. Work party chores are not glamorous and may be physically demanding and/or repetitious; however, every task assists us with carrying out our daily mission of rescuing, protecting, and caring for farm animals in need.

Work Party Logistics

Watkins Glen, NY

• The Watkins Glen work parties are hosted on the second Saturday of each month, April through November.
• Due to hazardous and unpredictable weather, volunteer work parties will not take place in December, January, February, and March.
• Work parties begin at 9 a.m., with a mandatory volunteer orientation, and end at 4 p.m.
• All volunteers receive a complimentary tour of Farm Sanctuary during their visit.
• Volunteers are encouraged to bring a vegan dish to share for a work party potluck lunch. This is a great time to get to know other compassionate individuals. If you have any questions about vegan food, please let us know and we would be happy to help.
• Due to the nature of shelter work, we may not be able to accommodate groups of 6 or more. Large groups will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Orland, CA

• The Orland work parties are hosted on the second Saturday of each month, year round.
• Due to hot weather, volunteer work parties may not take place in July and August. Please check back in June for more information.
• Work parties begin at 9 a.m., with a mandatory volunteer orientation, and end at 4 p.m.
• All volunteers receive a complimentary tour of Farm Sanctuary during their visit.
• Volunteers are encouraged to bring a vegan dish to share for a work party potluck lunch. This is a great time to get to know other compassionate individuals. If you have any questions about vegan food, please let us know and we would be happy to help.
• Due to the nature of shelter work, we may not be able to accommodate groups of 6 or more. Large groups will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Acton, CA

• The Acton work parties are hosted on the second Saturday of each month, year round.
• Work parties begin at 10 a.m., with a mandatory volunteer orientation, and end at 4 p.m.
• All volunteers receive a complimentary tour of Farm Sanctuary during their visit.
• Volunteers are encouraged to bring a vegan dish to share for a work party potluck lunch. This is a great time to get to know other compassionate individuals. If you have any questions about vegan food, please let us know and we would be happy to help.
• Due to the nature of shelter work, we may not be able to accommodate groups of 6 or more. Large groups will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Underage Volunteers
For important safety reasons, individuals aged 12 to 17 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to work inside any animal housing barns.

Children under 12 are not allowed to volunteer on the shelter.

Work Party Sign-up
If you are interested in participating in a Volunteer Work Party, please help us learn more about you and any special skills you would like to share by filling out a volunteer application. After we receive your application, one of Farm Sanctuary’s volunteer coordinators will contact you directly about signing up for an upcoming work party.

If you would like additional information about our Volunteer Work Party opportunities, please email bthompson@farmsanctuary.org or call 607-583-2225 ext. 274.

Can’t make it to one of our shelters? Then bring the sanctuary to your town by volunteering with Farm Sanctuary’s Compassionate Communities Campaign! If you care about farm animals, one of the most effective things you can do to help them is by educating people in your community about the reasons for and ways to move toward a vegan diet. Every person who goes vegan or vegetarian will spare over 50 animals a year from a lifetime of daily misery. By persuading others to eat with compassion, you will save the lives of hundreds or thousands of farm animals every year! Visit the Compassionate Communities website and begin making your community a more compassionate one.

Los Angeles Outreach Volunteer Opportunities

We are currently looking for committed volunteers in Southern CA looking to make a difference in the lives of farm animals. Whether you’re interested in assisting our tour guides on the shelter or conducting outreach in your local area, we have the position for you!

Some specific opportunities we have include:

• Tabling/outreach
• Helping at various events (both on- and off-site)
• Welcoming guests and assisting with the gates on farm tour days (Sundays and Mondays)
• Literature distribution (Help us distribute our fliers at veg-friendly restaurants in the Los Angeles area and keep them stocked.)

If you are interested in being added to our network of Southern California volunteers, please send an email with your area(s) of interest.