Defend the Lands: Join the South County Fire Watch Team with Audubon California: Starr Ranch Sanctuary
In partnership with the Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Starr Ranch runs a volunteer fire watch. Each year since 2008 volunteers are trained in late summer by the OCFA to deter arson and report behaviors that could lead to fires and to detect fires quickly if they start. Volunteers work in pairs during Red Flag Warnings, periods of high winds and dry conditions, usually in the fall. Lookout locations are at the edges of south Orange County preserved land from Starr Ranch south to the Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.
Become a Stream Bioassessment Volunteer, Help Protect the Creeks with Audubon California: Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Since 2003, Starr Ranch biologists have trained volunteers to use a standardized protocol to gather data on stream water quality and the impacts of urban run-off on the physical, chemical, and biological components of water quality in the creeks of Starr Ranch. Their results are sent to a statewide database. If you would like to volunteer with the annual stream bioassessment project, please contact Sandy DeSimone.
Join the Weed Warriors, Protect Habitats One Hand Tool at a Time with Audubon California: Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Starr Ranch “Weed Warriors” help them remove invasive plant species. Invasive species can alter habitats and can have negative effects on wildlife. All of their weed control is non-chemical, and done with hand tools. Currently volunteers help them with periwinkle, English ivy, and Smilo grass removal. If you would like to become a “weed warrior” at Starr Ranch, please contact Sandy DeSimone.
Free Dog Kisses with Every Scoop: Volunteer for the Poop Patrol with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Beagles and Buddies has around 100 dogs at any given time, and volunteers are always needed to help maintain clean and sanitary grounds. Daily yard cleanup and waste removal are essential to keeping the facility healthy, safe, and comfortable for all the rescue dogs.
Build, Fix, and Improve: Join the Beagles and Buddies Maintenance Crew with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
The sanctuary kennel facility is highly maintenance-intensive, and volunteers are needed to help with regular cleaning and physical repairs around the property. Individuals with skills in carpentry, painting, plastering, fencing, or electrical work can help maintain secure gates and clean living spaces for the animals.
Teach New Tricks, Help Rescue Pups Put Their Best Paw Forward with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Volunteers are needed to spend time with the rescue dogs teaching basic commands and leash skills to improve their behavior and help them become more adoptable. Prior professional dog training experience is not required, as basic positive reinforcement techniques can help these dogs thrive.
Lend Your Medical Expertise, Become a Volunteer Veterinarian with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
The sanctuary is seeking a licensed veterinarian who can provide mobile, on-site veterinary care and routine checkups once or twice a month. Transporting multiple large groups of rescue dogs off-site for basic vaccinations and routine wellness care is a significant operational hardship for the small staff.
Round Up the Pack, Become a Doggie Wrangler Volunteer with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Volunteers are needed to help socialize rescue dogs through regular walking, grooming, and companionship, which is especially vital for the shy or fearful dogs on-site. This role includes assisting with basic yard cleanup and is open to volunteers of all ages, though children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Comfort Crew, Volunteer for Kennel Cleaning and Care with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Volunteers help maintain clean, comfortable indoor environments for the dogs by scrubbing dog houses, washing bedding, and sanitizing the living quarters. This hands-on role involves using hot water and basic cleaning supplies to manage the demanding daily upkeep of the kennel areas.
Help Sew and Tack Bedding Pads for Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Volunteers can help create soft, machine-washable sleeping pads for the kennel crates using donated blankets and comforters. The sanctuary provides the materials, and individuals help by cutting and tacking the fabrics together into durable, easily washable 2'x2' and 3'x3' sizes that dry quickly.
Leave Your Mark, Help Paint Signs for Beagles and Buddies with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
The sanctuary is looking for a volunteer sign painter to create clear, welcoming directional and informational signage for the main reception area and the outdoor exercise yards.
Help Rescue Dogs Get the Care They Need with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
On-call volunteer drivers and a logistics coordinator are needed to transport rescued dogs from high-kill local shelters or drive them to scheduled veterinary clinic appointments. Volunteers must have a reliable personal vehicle, a valid driver's license, and up-to-date auto insurance.
Cozy Pups, Happy Tails, Winter Coat Donations Welcomed by Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Donations of homemade or store-bought winter dog coats and sweaters are needed to keep the rescue animals warm and comfortable during colder winter temperatures.
Hit the Road for Rescue, Help Pups Shine at Local Adoption Events with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Volunteers support off-site community adoption events throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County areas by assisting with booth setup, walking dogs, managing feeding schedules, and speaking with potential adopters. Events include regional pop-ups and seasonal gatherings like the annual Home for the Holidays event in December.
Help Find Forever Families, Join the PetSmart Adoption Days with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Independent volunteers can coordinate weekend adoption outings by taking select rescue dogs to local retail pet stores, such as the nearby Petsmart in Apple Valley, to showcase them to the public and increase their chances of finding a permanent home.
Donate to C.A.R.E.4Paws
Financial contributions provide immediate funding to deliver critical intervention services that keep pets healthy and with the families who love them on California’s Central Coast. Every donation directly funds mobile veterinary clinics, low-cost spay and neuter procedures, and emergency veterinary assistance, ensuring that local families experiencing financial hardship do not have to surrender their beloved pets due to the cost of medical care.
Sponsor Pet Meals at C.A.R.E.4Paws
Generous community support and programmatic donations provide thousands of nourishing meals for pets in need throughout the year. Supporters can organize local food collection drives, deliver dry and canned pet food to regional drop-off centers, or directly sponsor individual 40-pound bags or full 52-bag supply pallets of dog and cat food to keep family pets fed and healthy during times of financial hardship.
Help Animals With Project Minnie
Project Minnie is in need of caring people who can pack food, make sandwiches, help distribute supplies and photograph the animals on the boardwalk. Specialized tasks are also available including legal advice, grant writing, newsletter writing, graphic design and public relations.
Join the Volunteer Team at Wags & Walks for Dog Playtime and Center Care
Join the volunteer team with on-site opportunities like dog playtime, enrichment, laundry folding, cleaning, and feeding. Minors ages 10 to 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Join the Pup Club at Wags & Walks for Dog Walking and On-Site Support
Join the Pup Club with on-site opportunities like dog walking, dog playtime, enrichment, laundry folding, cleaning, and feeding. Must be 16 years or older.
Featured Projects
Join Big Sunday for Relaxation and Community Care at Wellness Mondays
Big Sunday,
dom@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
If you're feeling like you could use a holiday – or a way to relax and recharge while meeting great, helpful folks -you're going to love Big Sunday's Wellness Mondays. Every Monday at 10 AM, we'll be hosting a different, fantastic sound bath here at Big Sunday HQ. Every Sound Bath is wonderful, designed to help you relax, recharge, and reconnect with yourself and others. They're all incredibly relaxing, totally free, and everyone is invited! We want everyone to be as comfortable as possible and suggest that you bring your own mat, cushion, pillow, blanket, eye cover, etc. – whatever you need to feel relaxed and cozy!
Create Mosaic Suns With Big Sunday at our Art Tuesdays
Big Sunday,
josh@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
Every Tuesday, volunteers join us at Big Sunday HQ to decorate mosaics in the shape of a sun. These beautiful works of art are then donated to schools, shelters, food banks – anywhere in need of a little more sunshine and warmth! This wonderful project is the brainchild of our old friend Cathy Weiss and led by Cathy and our own Big Sunday staff. You don’t need to be a brilliant artist to participate – just friendly and sincere. Just about everybody who’s worked on one tells us the mosaic suns are their favorite Big Sunday project!.
Join Big Sunday for our Accessible Wednesday at 10am Event
Big Sunday,
passion@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
A spin-off of our flagship weekly event TM@10, Accessible Wednesdays @ 10 (AW@10 for short) hosts volunteers every Wednesday to work on hands-on projects to help local nonprofits. The difference? The projects we do on Wednesdays are specially geared to be accessible to folks of all ability levels! Our guests of honor at each AW@10 are groups of volunteers with intellectual and developmental disabilities from some of our partner organizations like AbilityFirst, ETTA, PassAbility, Partners For Potential, and Arroyo Development Services. At Big Sunday, we firmly believe that everyone has something to give, and that everyone has fun helping others! Anyone and everyone is invited to join us for AW@10, whether it’s with a group or as an individual who wants to help out and hang out with some of the best volunteers in the business. From assembling goodie bags for unhoused people and their dogs to decorating pumpkins for underserved kids at Halloween, there’s always something fun going on at AW@10. This week we will be sorting cloths for donations.
Join Big Sunday for our Thursday Morning at 10am Events
Big Sunday,
nicolo@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
TM@10 (Thursday Morning @ 10) is not only one of our favorite programs, but it’s one of our most popular, too! Every Thursday morning from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, volunteers gather at Big Sunday HQ to work on hands-on projects that help local nonprofits. We’ve assembled birthday gifts for folks in shelters, written letters to soldiers stationed overseas, packed backpacks for ex-gang members starting college, made fleece blankets for shelter kittens, and done about a thousand other fun and meaningful things. In classic Big Sunday fashion, it’s a great way for people to meet new people, work together, and enjoy some laughs while helping someone else. It’s no wonder we have so many regulars who come every single week! We’re regularly joined by groups like AbilityFirst, Partners For Potential, and of course the famous TM Ladies! Projects we’ve worked on have benefited organizations like Covenant House, Carlos Santa Ana Academy, PATH, Exceptional Children’s Foundation, Angelus Plaza, and countless others.
Join Big Sunday for our Food Pantry and Food Fridays @ 10am
Big Sunday,
madison@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
Big Sunday has given away mountains of food over many years, but now we’re going to make it a weekly event. Our Food Pantry will be open year ‘round and will contain both perishable and non-perishable food. We’re also introducing Food Fridays. Every Friday morning we’ll be open from 10-11:30 to sort and pack food. We’ll also distribute to nonprofits and schools from all over town who will distribute the food to hungry and grateful people in their communities. All ages are welcome. Groups, too! We need volunteers, collectors, donors and sponsors.