Give your time

Note: We are temporarily closing the volunteer application while we process a large number of applicants. We are grateful for the interest that the community has shown in helping the animals in our care. Please check back in summer 2024. 

We rely on adult volunteers to help feed, exercise, play with, train and clean up after the animals in our shelter. Teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18 can volunteer with parent or guardian approval.

Volunteers must agree to

• Commit to a minimum of four hours a month for six months or longer. 
• Work at the shelter during these hours:
  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday - Friday
  • 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday - Sunday
• Work a shift. Most shifts are two hours. 

Screen process for volunteers

• Submit an online application.
• Attend a volunteer orientation session (about two hours).
• Attend one or more classes for your specific volunteer position (one to two hours per class).
• Attend hands-on training with a current volunteer (one to four hours).
• Get a volunteer ID badge.

Give money or supplies

Gifts of money

More than 4,000 animals come through our doors each year. Your tax deductible gift helps us:

• Maintain our operations
• Expand our programs
• Improve the lives of more local animals

No gift is too small. 

Make a donation

Gifts of toys and supplies 

You can shop our wish lists and have our most needed items shipped directly to the shelter.

See our Amazon Wish List

See our Target Wish List

Looking to drop a donation off at the shelter? We can typically use:

• Unopened and unexpired food and treats
• Nylabones
• Durable plastic toys that can be sanitized, such as Kongs and plastic balls
• Unopened and unexpired topical flea treatment
• Elizabethan collars
• Tennis balls
• Bleach and towels

You can drop donations off during our public shelter hours. The shelter has limited storage space, and we may turn down a donation if we're fully stocked on that item. Please call 311 to check on our current needs.

Reference on this website to any specific commercial products or services, or the use of any corporation name, is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the City of Minneapolis.

Take Fido on a field trip

You can take adoptable shelter dogs out for a day of adventure and companionship. By participating in this program you can:

• Reduce kennel stress for dogs in our care
• Gain valuable insights about a dog’s personality and behavior that we can share with potential adopters
• Increase a dog’s chance of successfully being adopted into a forever family
• Enjoy a day of hiking, playing, or snuggling with a dog, commitment-free!

To take a dog on a field trip, you need to:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Provide a valid ID
• Be able to pick up and return the dog during shelter hours (see our hours at the bottom of the page)
• Agree to keep the dog leashed whenever you are outside

Apply to become a field tripper today

After you apply, you will get a link to complete a quick virtual training and book your field trip date. 

Become an animal foster

You can help the animals in our care by providing a temporary home while they wait for their forever family. By fostering a pet, you help increase the number of animals the City is able to serve.

Complete an application and a MACC employee will follow up in about 14 business days. 

Apply to foster