Policy Volunteer

Policy Volunteer are at the forefront of our work to advance priority federal, state and local animal protection legislation and policies. These efforts serve to improve conditions for animals in all 435 congressional districts and thousands of state legislative districts across the nation.

Policy volunteers use their power as voters and constituents to influence their legislators on animal protection issues. With guidance from program staff:

• Respond to action alerts outlining how to engage elected officials on key issues at critical times and encourage others to join them in taking action.
• Develop professional relationships with legislators and their staff through written communications, calls and meetings in support of animal protection priorities.
• Submit comments to federal and state agencies on proposed animal-related regulations, as well as letters to the editor.
• Support U.S. federal animal protection bills and assist with state and local efforts as needed. This may include representing the organization at local events, assisting with special projects, giving verbal or written testimony and attending public meetings and hearings.

Participants are equipped to elevate their advocacy efforts while supporting our organization’s key campaigns to end cruel practices such as puppy mills, factory farming, the fur trade, trophy hunting and cosmetic testing on animals. Volunteers receive invitations to exclusive training, access to advocacy resources and become part of a community of knowledgeable and strategic advocates dedicated to advancing humane public policies that protect all animals.

The more advocates urge legislators to enact pro-animal laws, the more attention these issues receive. Without the voices of animal advocates, only those against animal interests are heard.

All volunteers must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be willing to register to vote (if eligible and not already registered) and participate in U.S. primary and general elections.
• Commit to a minimum of one year. Volunteers typically spend 2-4 hours per month responding to action alerts, with most advocacy alerts taking one hour or less to complete.
• Complete an onboarding process which includes a *background check.

*To ensure the safety of the organization’s people and property, and the animals in our care, we conduct a background check of our volunteers’ criminal history. The organization will consider volunteer applicants with a criminal record on a case-by-case basis. Typically, crimes against people or animals, or crimes of a more recent nature, may be cause for us to decline a volunteer application.

• Read the volunteer position description which details responsibilities and qualifications.  This is a remote volunteer position focused on legislative advocacy without hands-on animal care.
• Submit your application.
• Applicants may be invited to complete a digital interview.
• If you are offered this position, you will be asked to complete a background check, required paperwork and an introductory call with program staff prior to starting.

This program cannot fulfill court-ordered community service requirements. If you have questions about this volunteer program, please email us.

If this role is not a good fit for you at this time, stay up to date on animal protection issues in your state by signing up to become an ally. Allies receive state-specific email updates and may be asked to take quick actions to advance pro-animal policy issues.

We embrace volunteers as essential partners in our lifesaving work. We are committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in every aspect of our work and at all levels of our organization. We welcome and respect our volunteers' unique identities, backgrounds and experiences. We believe everyone can help fight for all animals!