Volunteering
As Ireland's leading dog welfare charity, we have every breed of opportunity for you to get involved with, to match all manner of interests and skillsets.
Why Volunteer with Dogs Trust
At Dogs Trust, we believe that every dog deserves to live life to the full—and our volunteers help make that possible every single day. By giving your time, skills and compassion, you become an essential part of a community that’s committed to changing the lives of dogs in need.
Volunteering with us isn’t just about walking dogs or lending a paw—it’s about being part of something bigger. Whether it’s comforting the dogs in our care, supporting our rehoming work, assisting with events, presenting educational workshops to schools or helping behind the scenes, every action you take plays a vital role in our mission.
Our volunteers bring kindness, energy and love to our organisation—and in return, they gain unique experiences, new friendships, and the joy of making a real difference.
Together, we can create a better future for dogs.
I would like to say that as a new volunteer all the staff are amazing and treat me like one of their own and I love getting to know each and every dog and how rewarding it is.
Aileen Ashton, Volunteer
The reason I love volunteering is the anticipation of what my shift will bring & the overall gratifying feeling I have when I'm leaving that I helped the dogs in Dogs Trust today. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made in becoming a volunteer.
Lorraine Conlon, Volunteer
I've only been volunteering a short time but I'm hooked. The staff are wonderful and the dogs are so loved and well cared for.
Patricia Fennelly, Volunteer
Volunteering at Dogs Trust has been a fun and rewarding experience. It's been great getting to know, work with, and see many of the dogs go to good homes. It's also been a pleasure getting to know the staff who work there - they genuinely care about the work they do and are friendly with the volunteers.
Yong-Jie Lam, Volunteer
Our Volunteering Opportunities
How to apply
- Review Volunteer Role: Please review the available role descriptions below. We will be taking a limited number of applications.
- Commitment: We kindly ask you to volunteer for four-hour shifts once a week. Please have a good think about whether you will be able to give us this commitment before proceeding with your application.
- Application: Once you have reviewed the role description, please complete the volunteer application form. This form will ask for your personal information, availability and any relevant experience you may have.
- Interview: If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to an online Induction with us.
- Screening: As Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, we want to ensure that all our amazing volunteers can work safely alongside dogs and other people. By asking for a reference, we can reach out to someone who can tell us more about you and your experience.
- Start Volunteering: Once you have completed all the necessary steps and have been successful in your application, you will be ready to start your rewarding volunteer journey with us.
Corporate Volunteering
From January to November 2025, we have allocated Six Full Day Volunteering opportunities for
corporates and their employees to volunteer their time and offer their supports to Dogs Trust
Ireland. You will see first hand the vital work our operations team and canine careers do every single
day to ensure the dogs and pups in our care are as happy and healthy as possible.
Work Placements & Internships
Hello
Thank you for expressing your interest in gaining work experience with Dogs Trust. We appreciate your enthusiasm and would be delighted to offer you the opportunity to join our team for a work experience placement.
At Dogs Trust, we aim to provide a welcoming and educational environment for individuals who are eager to learn and grow in their chosen field. Our work experience program is designed to offer valuable insights into our organisation while giving participants the chance to apply their skills and discover new ones.
During your time with us, you will have the opportunity to work closely with our experienced canine carers and gain hands-on experience with our furry friends. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of the practical aspects of our work and contribute to the overall success of our organisation.
To apply for a work experience placement or internship, we kindly request that you provide us with the following information:
- The frequency and the duration of the work experience placement.
- Proof of age (must be over the age of 18)
- Proof of insurance from your college
We strive to create a supportive work environment in our centre, where volunteers and work experience play an integral role in caring for the dogs. However, it's important to note that the environment can be loud, busy and may involve strong smells due to the nature of the work. As such, we ask that you let us know if you have any , support needs or sensory sensitivities that might affect your ability to participate in the activities or that our team should be aware of to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for you. Your well-being is important to us so please note, this environment is not for everyone and we expect individuals to be hard working and dedicated to making a positive impact during their time with us.
Once we receive this information, we will review your application and do our best to accommodate your preferences. Please note that work experience placements are subject to availability and demand.
If your application is successful, we will provide you with further details, including the work schedule, dress code, and any additional requirements, to ensure a smooth and productive work experience.
FAQ
What is the minimum age to volunteer?
You need to be 18 years old or over to volunteer with Dogs Trust.
Can I volunteer to walk dogs in your rehoming centre?
Unfortunately, we do not have a volunteer role solely for walking dogs however if you go to the 'Our Volunteering …
Do you have a Transition Year Programme?
No, we do not offer TY programmes at Dogs Trust Ireland
Can I volunteer just once or on a casual basis?
Most of our roles require ongoing commitment of a minimum of 4-hours per week, but we do have occasional one-off …
Can I bring my own dog when I volunteer?
Unfortunately, we do not allow volunteers to bring personal pets during shifts for safety and welfare reasons.
Do I need previous experience working with dogs?
No experience is necessary for most roles. We provide full training and support. A love for dogs and a willingness to …
Will I get to work directly with the dogs?
Many roles involve hands-on interaction, but some are more focused on behind-the-scenes support. All roles contribute …
Are volunteers supervised when working with the dogs?
Yes, especially in the beginning. Safety and welfare are our top priorities. You’ll always have support nearby.