Volunteer Project Ideas

Are you interested in helping the animals at Loudoun County Animal Shelter but you need service hours quickly or can’t make regular commitments required to be a volunteer? There are still many ways you can help! 

The projects below can be done at home by individuals or groups and then brought into the shelter when finished. Projects can be brought to the shelter anytime we are open for Adoptions and Viewing. 

If you are tracking hours which you will need signed off, you must arrange to drop off your supplies when the Volunteer Coordinator is available. For questions or to schedule project drop offs needing signatures, please contact us.

Project Ideas

Here are some project ideas we recommend by age group!

Preschool (6 years and under):

  • Loudoun Pet Pantry Food Drive – Loudoun Pet Pantry helps keep pets in loving homes by providing food supplies for families in need. Volunteers package kits of food that families can pick up at Loudoun Hunger Relief. Loudoun Pet Pantry takes donations of small (less than 8lb) bags of dry food and canned wet cat and dog food. Find more information here. (For estimated time, please discuss project with LCAS Volunteer Coordinator.)
  • Ping Pong Balls – Our cats and ferrets love chasing ping pong balls! They love them even more when they have some great decorations! All you need are some ping pong balls, non-toxic markers and your creativity. (Estimated time: 12 ping pong balls per hour)
  • Dog Tug Toys – Our dogs (especially our larger dogs) love tug toys! Braided fleece or rope toys make excellent tools for staff, volunteers and the public to interact and have fun with our dogs. Some of our dogs even play with tug toys on their own! (Estimated time per toy: 15 minutes per 3 stand braid toy, 3 minutes per 4-5 strand braid toy)

 Elementary/Middle (7-14 years old):

  • Loudoun Pet Pantry Food Drive – Loudoun Pet Pantry helps keep pets in loving homes by providing food supplies for families in need. Volunteers package kits of food that families can pick up at Loudoun Hunger Relief. Loudoun Pet Pantry takes donations of small (less than 8lb) bags of dry food and canned wet cat and dog food. Find more information here. (For estimated time, please discuss project with LCAS Volunteer Coordinator.)
  • Dog Tug Toys – Our dogs (especially our larger dogs) love tug toys! Braided fleece or rope toys make excellent tools for staff, volunteers and the public to interact and have fun with our dogs. Some of our dogs even play with tug toys on their own! (Estimated time per toy: 15 minutes per 3 stand braid toy, 3 minutes per 4-5 strand braid toy)

High (15 years and up): 

  • Loudoun Pet Pantry Food Drive – Loudoun Pet Pantry helps keep pets in loving homes by providing food supplies for families in need. Volunteers package kits of food that families can pick up at Loudoun Hunger Relief. Loudoun Pet Pantry takes donations of small (less than 8lb) bags of dry food and canned wet cat and dog food. Find more information here. (For estimated time, please discuss project with LCAS Volunteer Coordinator.)
  • Snuffle Mat – Snuffle mats provide enrichment for our pets through scent, search and food! Find out how to make these cool mats using shower mats and fleece here.(Estimated time per mat:1 hour)

LCAS is not able to sign off on court-ordered or  recommended volunteer hours.