Collage of happy volunteers interacting with each other.

How big is your heart? Oh... that big!

Volunteering with Second Chance is a rewarding experience.  From meeting new friends in rescue, to helping homeless cats and dogs find their forever homes, you’ll make a huge impact while having a ball!

What it's like to volunteer at Second Chance:

A picture is worth a thousand words.  Check out our volunteers in action.  Look like fun to you? It is… join us!

Volunteer Testimonials

Hear what our volunteers have to say!

A young lady smiles as she plays with a cute kitten on her lap.
Sara: Cat Care Shift Leader/Clinic Volunteer

“My volunteer time is all about the cats and helping to get them to their forever homes! I’ve volunteered with Second Chance for the past 5 years because it is a great organization filled with people who are all dedicate to this same mission.”

A grateful foster dog licks the cheek of a smiling young lady
Caitlin: Dog Foster

“The dogs and people… Second Chance staff and volunteers are so wonderful and share my passion for helping animals. The dogs I have met through Second Chance have also enriched my life. Happy adoption stories make everything worth it.”

A young lady smiles as she crouches next to a smiling foster dog by a tree.
Kelly: Dog Foster

“It is really heartwarming when you get updates from a family that adopted a dog that wouldn’t let you pet them at first. Of the 54 dogs I have fostered, I only foster failed once. Winston was my first foster and the best goober around. He passed away in late 2024 and I miss him every day. Here’s a picture of us.”

A women walks a happy dog in the grass.
Cindy: Dog Walker

“The staff and volunteers at Second Chance are amazing and such a great team to be around. Volunteering with Second Chance fills me with a sense of purpose. Witnessing the animals’ transformation as they evolve from their old life is amazing to watch and be a part of.”

A happy volunteer cleans dog food bowls at a sink.
Sharon: Facility Helper

“I got involved as a Facilities Helper. I enjoy cleaning and organizing and there is never any shortage of dirty laundry! I have always had a passion for animals and am grateful for Second Chance’s long positive impact on this area. I appreciate all the dedicated, selfless people who give their time, resources, and love for the animals.”

A woman snuggling a black and white kitten to her cheek
Linda: Kitten Foster

“I started with Second Chance about 20 years ago when we were in a much smaller building with all volunteer staffing. I started fostering kittens and doing care shifts. I am proud of this organization and I enjoy facilitating our mission in whatever way I can.”

A woman smiles at the reception desk of Second Chance Pet Adoptions
Patty: Office Greeter

“As a Greeter, I enjoy meeting and greeting adults and children that come in to find a cat or dog to make their home complete. It’s a great feeling to see the love and joy on a new adopter’s face when they leave with their cat or dog, and when an animal finds that forever home.”

Women holding tow HUGE cats in her home.
Ann: Evening of Pawsibilities Volunteer

“I have volunteered with Second Chance for 21 years. I am a solicitation volunteer for the “Evening of Pawsibilities” gala. When I started volunteering, it was foster based. I have watched Second Chance grow to include providing treatment for heartworm dogs, transporting dogs to less crowded rescues in northern states, and sponsoring low cost spay/neuter programs.”

The Second Chance Volunteer Handbook

Our Volunteer Handbook contains everything you need to know about volunteering at Second Chance including our history, philosophy, practices and policies.

View by clicking the thumbnail below.

Volunteer Handbook

Give now to Provide Animals a Second Chance at Love!
Subscribe to our eNewsletter
Name(Required)
(Required)
Email(Required)
Smiling young boy and his dog.
Silly yellow tabby cat laughing.

Q: What do you call a cat
who always fibs?

A: A lion.

Grumpy cat.
A cat walks into a bar. The bartender
says, “What’ll you have?” The cat says,
“A shot of whiskey.” The bartender pours the cat his drink. Slowly, the cat pushes the shot off the bar…immediately demanding, “ANOTHER!!”
Happy Husky dog with tongue out smiling.
Q: What’s the best way to
stop your dog from barking
in the front yard?

A: Put it in the back yard!

Happy yellow Labrador Retreiver dog with tongue out smiling.
Q: What kind of dog can’t
be trusted?

A: A Golden Deceiver!

Stern Doberman Pincer dog with ears up.
I can’t take my dog to the
park anymore because the ducks keep biting him!

Yeah.  He’s pure bread.

White cat with yellow eyes.
Oh no! My cat lost both his
left legs!

but he’s all right now.

Grey Tabby cat with mouth open wide
Q: What do you call a cat
with 8 legs?

A: An Octo-Puss!

Grey cat with surprised look
Q: What do you give a cat
with allergies?

A: An anti-hiss-tamine!

Terrifying laugh of a hairless cat
Q: What is a cat’s favorite
Italian food?

A: Pawsta!

Laughing Himalayan with bright blue eyes.

Q: What do you call a fluffy
male cat asleep on the sofa?

A: Himalayan!

Bengal cat meowing with wide eyes.
Q: Why don’t leopards play
hide-and-seek?

A: Because they’re always spotted!

Cute Yellow Labrador Retriever puppy
Q: What kind of dog
doesn’t bark?

A: A Hushpuppy!

Laughing Australian Shepherd

Q: What did the 3-legged
dog say when he stepped
into the old West saloon?

A: I’m lookin’ for the man
who shot my paw.

Smiling Brown Labrador Retriever
Q: What is a dog’s favorite
mode of transportation?

A: A waggin’.

Boarder Collie dog smiling.
Q: What kind of dog never
throws anything away?

A: A Hoarder Collie.

Grinning Dalmatian
The secret to life is to handle every situation like a dog: if you can’t play with it, eat it, or bury it, just pee on it and walk away.
Happy Dachshund smiling.

Q: Why did the cowboy
adopt a dachshund?

A: He wanted to get a long,
little doggy!
Grinning Yellow Labrador Retriever

Q: Why did the old dog
fall down the well?

A: He didn’t see that well.

Speak!
A young puppy and a cat peek from the edge of the image.

Please click the button below to check our Resources pages before contacting us, as they likely contain the help you need!

Second Chance Pet Adoptions
6003 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 133
Raleigh, NC 27607-5148

Phone: 919-851-8404
Hours:
M-F, 11AM-5PM