Volunteer Connection

Summer is Here!

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, brown eyes, and light skin smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black sleeveless top and is outdoors with a wooden fence and green leaves in the background.

Summer is here and so is the opportunity to make a difference! Although our event schedule slows down during the warmest months of the year, we do have Wine and Whiskers later this month and Men on Fire in August that we need volunteers to assist with. Also, there is always something for volunteers to do at the adoption center or one of our thrift stores (Titusville or Melbourne).

At the adoption center volunteers can assist by doing laundry, making enrichments, performing basic housekeeping throughout the facility, and washing dishes. They can also work with the animals by becoming either a Kitty Kuddler or Bark Buddy.

If you haven’t received one, or both, of these designations, but would like to, please let me know and I’m happy to send you the information to get you started. The adoption center is open to volunteers Monday through Sunday from 8 AM until 5 PM (closed Monday through Friday from noon until 1 PM for lunch).

The Titusville and Melbourne thrift stores are one of the main resources of funds for our life saving efforts at the SPCA. As such, volunteers are often needed to assist by sorting donations, keeping the shelves stocked, assisting shoppers, and cleaning. The Titusville Thrift Store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM until 6 PM and on Sunday from 10 AM until 5 PM. The Melbourne Thrift Store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM until 6 PM and is closed on Sunday.

Be sure to keep up on all volunteer events and updates by bookmarking the volunteer page of the website and joining the private Facebook volunteer group.

Wishing you all a very happy and safe summer. I look forward to seeing you at the adoption center or an event very soon.

Thanks for all you do,

Sunni, Volunteer Program Manager

Colorful summer-themed infographic with text explaining data on animal intake and adoptions in June, featuring illustrations of palm leaves, flowers, a pineapple, and summer accessories.
A smiling woman in a red shirt and jeans bending down to pet a sitting dog outdoors under a clear blue sky and trees.

Volunteer Spotlight

Candace started volunteering at the end of March and quickly became a Bark Buddy and Kitty Kuddler. Since then she has put in over 70 hours of volunteer time helping out with Helping Hands as well as walking our pups. Dog staff often raves about how helpful she is and how appreciative they are of her assistance. Clearly, the dogs love her, too. Thank you, Candace, for all you do!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

  • Logo for 'Wine and Whispers' with stylized text and decorative lines.

    Wine & Whiskers

    Thursday, January 25 from 6 PM until 9 PM at the SPCA Melbourne Thrift.

    Volunteers needed to help with the welcome table, act as bartender (wine and soda), and assist with the food table.

    SIGN UP ON THE VIC
  • Poster for a fire awareness event hosted by SPCA of Brevard featuring a firefighter silhouette with flames in the background, with dogs and a cat silhouette, announcing a 'Men on Fire' event on Saturday, August 10th at Holiday Inn Melbourne-Viera Conference Center.

    Men on Fire

    Saturday, August 10 at the Holiday Inn Melbourne-Viera Conference Center.

    Volunteers needed for: Set up, Tear Down, Silent Auction Assistants, Firefighter Assistants, Dog Handlers, and Merchandise Table.

    SIGN UP ON THE VIC

A Moment With…

Angela David Copeland and Julia Lang

Volunteers/Kitty Kuddlers

Two women smiling indoors, one holding a black cat, with a purple room visible through a window in the background, and pet food bowls on the floor.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

Angela: Building trust and companionship with the older, shy cats while I clean their rooms. I’m sure they appreciate how clean it is when I leave.

Julia: Volunteering at the SPCA is incredibly rewarding. It gives me the change to support animals in need and aligns with my values of compassion and community service. Nurturing and caring for those without a voice is a core part of who I am. Another thing I enjoy is coming in on afternoons when potential adopters are there and matching the right family to the right animal.

What do you think some of the benefits of volunteering are (for yourself or others)?

Angela: I think everyone should take time to give back and volunteer. It builds character and is a selfless service. It should never be an obligation. It should be genuine, because the time and commitment you put in impacts those you are helping.

Julia: Volunteering fosters compassion. It opens your eyes to the needs within the animal community and the difference you can make. It’s transformative, not just for the animals you help, but for your own sense of purpose and empathy.

What advice would you give those just starting out as an SPCA volunteer?

Angela: It’s super cool to be a foster failure. We have all done it. I would also say find your niche and lean in. It it’s kittens and litter boxes, folding laundry, or quality time socializing with the older, shy cats – do it. And, don’t ever be afraid to raise your hand. The support from the SPCA is fantastic and they value their volunteers more than any shelter I know.

Julia: Be patient and gentle with yourself. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and want to help every animal, but knowing the significance of just showing up and being present is so important. Spending quality time with them changes their entire day. Also, not everyone will share your passion for animal welfare to the same extent, and that’s okay – keep showing up.

Please tell us something about yourself

Angela: I am a full-time commercial banker who spends my free time at the SPCA or on the tennis courts.

Julia: I am a full-time social media and campaign strategist for Elevate, a consulting agency in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. I’m also a mom of four children, ages eight to 17.

How long have you been a volunteer at the SPCA and what made you sign up to do it?

Angela: I’ve been at the SPCA a year now. I was an empty nester who was looking to give back to the community. As a first-time cat owner (Bean), I fell in love and my hear said to advocate for other cats in need. I’m a little OCD so cleaning while getting to know that cats here was a win-win.

Julia: I’ve been volunteering since September 2023 and started for a couple different reasons. In 2020, our family adopted our first pets, KitKat and Snickers, and they’ve become such a big part of our family’s lives. Being a nurturer at heart and my children growing more independent, I felt a need to extend my care to those without a voice. Joining the SPCA became even more meaningful because it allowed me to share this passion with my 11-year old son, who is equally passionate about animals. Additionally, my sister’s advocacy for the SPCA and its mission was and is an inspiration to me.

Thanks for Helping Out

A young woman with curly hair smiling, holding a yellow mop, standing next to a wooden door with cleaning schedules posted on the wall.
A woman with glasses and a black T-shirt petting a light-colored, fluffy cat inside a metal cage at an animal shelter. The cage has a pink pet box, a colorful toy, and a small blanket. There is a decorative house on top of the cage and a tattoo on her left arm.
A woman wearing sunglasses and a black cap with the words 'Can I Pet Your Dog?' kneels on the ground, smiling, while hugging a large, brindle-colored dog with a black harness. The dog has its head tilted back, mouth open, and is looking upward. In the background, there are tents, tables, and other people, some with dogs, at an outdoor event on a grassy area.
Three women and a woman with a dog in front of a table under a white canopy, with a building in the background. The women are wearing red shirts and name tags; one woman is holding a leash with a black dog.
Two smiling people, a man and a woman, with two dogs and a woman in the background, outdoors on a sunny day, near a vehicle and a grassy area with trees.
Young man wearing a red SPCA volunteer shirt and a gray cap, standing indoors with a name tag that reads 'Peter'.
Three girls smiling and preparing food in a kitchen or pantry. The girl on the left has a black shirt and is holding a piece of dough, the girl in the middle and the girl on the right are wearing red shirts and holding dough. They are surrounded by food items and kitchen supplies in the background.
Woman and two boys in a room with a cart and bed linens, smiling at the camera.
A smiling woman with glasses, wearing a red SPCA volunteer shirt, stands outdoors on a grassy and sandy area with green trees in the background. She is holding a smartphone and is accompanied by a happy, muscular dog on a red leash.
Three smiling volunteers kneeling outdoors with a black dog wearing a purple bandana. The volunteers are wearing casual clothes and sunglasses, with some wearing red shirts and one wearing a blue shirt that reads "Faster my second favorite word." They are in a parking lot with cars in the background and other people visible.
A man in a red SPCA volunteer shirt and red cap smiling as he holds a leash of a happy, brown and white dog at an outdoor event with tents and people in the background.
Three women wearing red SPCA volunteer shirts standing behind a table outdoors under a canopy, with trees and parked cars in the background.
A woman wearing glasses, a red shirt with a volunteer badge, and gloves is doing laundry in a laundromat. She has a name tag that reads 'Crystal' and is smiling at the camera.
A smiling volunteer woman wearing a red t-shirt and a black cap at a food pantry, standing behind a table with snacks and supplies.
A man is painting a small patch on the wall in a room, with craft supplies visible nearby, and a window in the background.
A woman standing outside, holding a leash attached to a large black and brown dog, in front of a colorful bus with an image of a dog on it.

More Ways to Help

Wanting to make a difference, but don’t have time to come in to volunteer? Consider making a contribution in one of the following ways.

Amazon logo with the word "wishlist" written below it and colorful star decorations.

Food and supplies are always needed for the animals in our care. See the links below for our wish list items.

Items needed for our shelter animals

Items needed for our kitten and puppy fostering program

Items needed for our community pet pantry

A glass jar tipped over with pennies spilling onto a wooden surface.

Your monetary donation supports the life saving care we provide to the animals. Make a one time life saving donation or become a recurring donor through our donation portal here. We also offer Pay Pal.

A person hugging a happy golden retriever outdoors with mountains in the background.

There is nothing more heart-wrenching than when a family feels as though they must surrender their dearly loved pet to a shelter, or to see an animal go without treatment because its owner cannot afford a vet bill. That is why the Community Pet Project was created, to help members of our community who are most in need of access to veterinary services for their pets. Through private contributions to the CPP, we have been able to assist several low-income families with needed veterinary care. Support pet retention for some of the most at-risk pets in Brevard by donating to the Community Pet Project.