Methuen ACAC/Nevins Farm

Volunteer Program

The MSPCA relies on a large group of active, committed volunteers who help both in the shelter and out in the community. These dedicated men and women help care for the shelter's animals, assist with special events, assist in the office and work with local businesses and corporations - they are there wherever extra help is needed!

We are always looking for new volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, the first step is to fill out a volunteer application. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an invitation to our next upcoming orientation. Orientations are held once a month on Sunday's from 9am - 12pm. Depending on when your application is submitted, it could take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to receive you invitation to the next orientation.

You must be at least 16 years of age to volunteer in the shelter or at the barn and we ask for a 6 month commitment from our volunteers. Most volunteers will average from 2-4 hours a day, one day a week, on a designated day and time slot scheduled by the volunteer coordinator.

Volunteer opportunities are available seven days a week. The hours can start as early as 7am and end at 5pm, with the exception of Thursday evenings when the shelter is open until 7pm. Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to:

Volunteer Animal Caregiver 
Responsibilities include: assisting the staff in kennel and stall cleaning and cleaning and upkeep throughout the day for the animals. Activities include a variety of tasks including walking dogs, grooming cat, small mammals or horses, feeding and bathing animals and giving lots of TLC to help the animals feel comfortable. Volunteers also greet and assist the public. Volunteers assist with many tasks which help to make the property more comfortable for both animals and people.

Office and Retail Volunteer
Volunteers are also needed to assist in a variety of office related projects that can be done both at home and in the shelter. For those that want to help but don't have the time to volunteer on a weekly basis, the shelter holds a variety of fundraisers and special events over the course of the year.

Education Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to join our educational efforts, inside the Shelter and beyond! Our education programs includes on-site tours, off-site presentations in classrooms and other facilities, an after-school program  and our own Children's Summer Camp. We offer a variety of programs for all ages, ranging from "Mom & Tot" groups to local senior centers. The majority of tours at Nevins Farm last 1 to 1 1/2 hours and are held weekdays, Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 3 pm with occasional evening or weekend visits. Off-site presentations are often during school hours but may also include evening or weekend programs. Topics are based on the audience, and include the history of the MSPCA, basic pet care, animal safety, careers in animal care and much more! If you are interested in sharing your knowledge and love of animals with the community, please join our team of education volunteers.

Special Events Volunteer
The Shelter holds a variety of fundraisers and special events over the course of the year. From the golf tournament to our auction, we need volunteers to make each day a success. If you are unable to make a weekly commitment to the shelter, this is a great way to lend a helping hand. Some events are on site but others will require travel. Many are on the weekends.

General volunteer application>>

Foster Care Volunteer      
The foster care program is a life saving extension of our adoption centers. Our foster families volunteer to temporarily care for and treat horses, chicks, dogs, cats, rabbits and duckling (to name a few) until they are ready to find new permanent homes.

Foster care application >>