Animals Volunteer Opportunities in Hartford, CT

BARC CT - Animal Rescue & Advocacy

BARC CT thrives on the unwavering dedication of volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of animals. They offer various opportunities such as fostering, transporting, fundraising, and photography to help rescue animals in need.

Ansonia Nature Center

Once a small family-owned dairy farm, the park is laced with two and one-half miles of nature trails. The land encompasses 156 acres of wooded hills and grassy fields bisected by streams, a two-acre pond, wet meadows, and an upland swamp. The site is a wonderful microcosm of a typical Connecticut landscape that provides sanctuary to many species of New England flora and fauna. A portion of the park has been dedicated to recreational soccer fields, as well as several acres reserved for community gardening and a large playscape for younger children.

Volunteer information: The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center welcomes new volunteers who are willing to help with environmental education, animal care, birthday parties, trail maintenance, mailings, special events, and more! Volunteers are an essential part of the Nature Center. We work with students from many different schools, helping them to meet their required volunteer hours or to develop their SAE projects. We also provide internship experience for those seeking a college degree. Whether you are a student in high school, or a retired resident of our community, whatever your interest or availability, we offer a variety of exciting opportunities throughout the year. Please note: Individuals under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult while preforming their volunteer hours unless they are enrolled in the Junior Rangers program.

Stratford Animal Rescue Society

STARS is entirely volunteer-run and works in collaboration with the Stratford Police Department and Animal Control Division to care for animals and provide support for fundraising and humane education programs. Volunteers are essential to their operations and various opportunities are available for community engagement.

Beardsley Zoo

​Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is dedicated to acquainting a diverse public to the delicate balance that exists between living things and their environment. Animal exhibits, plantings, graphics, and Zoo programs are to be represented in such a manner as to give the visitor a sense of awareness and concern for the intricate beauty and fragility of our planet.

Volunteer information: Zoo volunteers are an integral part of the Zoo, contributing their time and energy to the Zoo’s education and environmental mission. Whether it is going out on Zoomobiles with the Zoo Educators, talking to visitors, caring for the Zoo grounds, or helping out with the animals, our volunteers make a difference to both our visitors and the staff.

Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter

Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter is dedicated to enhancing the lives of animals in their care through volunteer efforts. They require a minimum commitment of 8 hours a month for volunteers and provide various tasks such as animal handling and assisting at adoption events.