Volunteer at Hope & Joy Sanctuary

Make a Difference. Share Your Time. Spread Joy.

At Hope & Joy Sanctuary, home to the nonprofit Scatter Joy Acres, our volunteers are an essential part of everything we do.

Our mission is to create meaningful connections between people and animals while providing exceptional care for the animals who call our sanctuary home.

Whether you love animals, enjoy working outdoors, have a special skill to share, or simply want to give back to your community, there is a place for you on our volunteer team!

More Than Just Spending Time With Animals

Hope & Joy Sanctuary is an active, working animal sanctuary. While being around our animals is certainly rewarding, volunteering involves much more than animal interactions.

Animal care comes first, and every job matters!

Our volunteers help with the daily responsibilities that keep our sanctuary clean, safe, organized, and welcoming for both our animals and guests.

Volunteer Opportunities

Depending on your interests, abilities, and the sanctuary’s needs, volunteer activities may include:

Animal Care & Daily Chores

Preparing food and assisting with feeding

Cleaning animal habitats, barns, and enclosures

Washing food and water containers

Replacing bedding and maintaining animal areas

Cleaning pools and preparing enrichment activities

Property & Sanctuary Maintenance

Gardening, landscaping, and yard cleanup

Fence repairs and general maintenance

Painting, building, and carpentry projects

Organizing supplies and equipment

Helping with special improvement projects

Guest Experiences & Community Events

Welcoming and assisting guests

Helping with educational programs

Assisting with special events and activities

Preparing event areas and supplies

Administrative and organizational support

No previous animal or ranch experience is required. We provide hands-on guidance to help you learn.

What We Look for in Our Volunteers

We are especially interested in individuals who want to become regular, reliable, and dependable members of our volunteer family.

We understand that everyone has busy schedules, and we appreciate any time you can give. However, consistency is important because our animals depend on daily care.

Our ideal volunteers are:

Dependable and committed to their scheduled shifts

Willing to work hard and get their hands dirty

Comfortable working outdoors in Florida’s weather

Flexible and willing to help wherever needed

Respectful of animals, staff, guests, and fellow volunteers

Willing to follow instructions and safety procedures

Positive, enthusiastic, and eager to make a difference

Most volunteer shifts are approximately 3–4 hours.

Working Around Our Animals

The safety and well-being of our animals, volunteers, and guests are always our highest priorities.

We care for a variety of farm animals and exotic animal ambassadors. For everyone’s safety, animal interactions and handling are permitted only with staff authorization and supervision as appropriate.

Volunteers must follow all sanctuary safety procedures and staff instructions.

Please remember that working around animals may involve exposure to hay, feed, dust, dirt, and outdoor allergens.

Age Requirements

We welcome families and young people who want to make a difference!

Children under 12: Must volunteer alongside a parent or guardian who provides direct supervision.

Teens ages 13–17: May volunteer independently after completing their first volunteer day with a parent or guardian and receiving approval from sanctuary administration.

Adults 18+: Welcome to apply individually.

All volunteer activities are assigned based on age, ability, safety considerations, and sanctuary needs.

Getting Started Is Easy!

We have made joining our volunteer family simple.

Step 1: Complete Our Volunteer Application

Tell us a little about yourself, your interests, your availability, and how you would like to help.

Step 2: Visit the Sanctuary

Once your application has been reviewed, we will contact you about scheduling a volunteer orientation and tour. This is an opportunity to become familiar with our sanctuary, meet our team, and learn about volunteer responsibilities.

Step 3: Join Our Volunteer Team

New volunteers receive hands-on guidance from experienced volunteers or staff members to help them become comfortable with their responsibilities.

There is no formal interview required. We simply want to help you get started and find opportunities where you can make a meaningful difference.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Complete Our Volunteer Application Today!

We would love to welcome you to the Hope & Joy Sanctuary volunteer family.

Your time, your talents, and your kindness can make a lasting difference in the lives of our animals and the people we serve.

Hope & Joy Sanctuary | Scatter Joy Acres
www.scatterjoyacres.org