Volunteer at Scatter Joy Acres

Scatter Joy Acres is a nonprofit working ranch and animal sanctuary dedicated to creating meaningful connections between people, animals, and the community. Through hands-on service, animal care, education, and community involvement, our volunteers play an important role in helping us provide excellent care for our animals and a welcoming environment for our guests.

Our ranch is an active, working environment. Every day can look a little different, and there is always something that needs to be done. Volunteering may include animal care, but it also includes the many behind-the-scenes responsibilities that keep a ranch and sanctuary running safely and successfully.

We care for a variety of animals, including farm animals, companion animals, and exotic animal ambassadors. Because volunteers may work around animals, hay, feed, dust, dirt, and outdoor environments, volunteering may not be suitable for individuals with severe allergies or sensitivities.

What to Expect

Scatter Joy Acres is a working ranch, not a traditional indoor volunteer environment. Volunteers should come prepared to be active, get dirty, work outdoors, and help wherever assistance is needed.

Some days may involve cleaning animal areas or preparing food. Other days may involve repairing fencing, cleaning pools, building enrichment items, organizing supplies, landscaping, assisting guests, or helping with a special project.

Volunteer opportunities may include:

Feeding and assisting with the care of animals

Cleaning barns, shelters, stalls, and animal enclosures

Cleaning feed and water containers

Raking and replacing bedding

Cleaning pools and animal areas

Preparing food and supplies

Gardening, landscaping, and pasture maintenance

Mending and maintaining fences

Painting, building, and carpentry projects

Creating animal enrichment activities and items

Cleaning and organizing ranch areas

Assisting with youth and educational programs

Greeting and assisting guests

Helping with events and special projects

Administrative and organizational support

General ranch chores and maintenance

If you finish your regular responsibilities during your volunteer shift, please ask what else needs to be done. There are always projects and daily tasks where an extra set of hands can make a difference.

Working With Our Animals

The health, safety, and wellbeing of our animals always come first.

Volunteers are an important part of helping us provide excellent care, but animal handling and interaction must always follow Scatter Joy Acres procedures and staff direction. Some animals may only be handled or entered with authorized staff.

Volunteers may also have opportunities to help create enrichment, prepare animal areas, clean habitats, maintain fencing and pools, and assist with other projects that directly improve the animals’ daily lives.

Protocols and instructions are available at the ranch for situations that may arise. Volunteers are expected to follow all established safety procedures and staff instructions.

Scatter Joy Acres follows applicable animal care, facility, and regulatory requirements, including those established by agencies such as the USDA and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission where applicable. We are continually working to maintain and improve our facilities and animal habitats.

Volunteer Shifts

Most volunteer shifts are approximately 3–4 hours.

We understand that our volunteers have families, jobs, school, and personal responsibilities. We appreciate the time you choose to give us and ask that while you are here, you are willing to actively participate and help with the needs of the ranch.

Volunteers should arrive ready to work, follow instructions, and assist wherever help is needed during their scheduled time.

Age Requirements

We welcome volunteers of many ages and believe volunteering can be a wonderful family experience.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

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

Younger children are welcome to participate alongside their families when appropriate.

Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising children while volunteering.

Communication & Teamwork

Good communication is an important part of maintaining a positive volunteer environment.

If you have a question, concern, suggestion, or problem regarding ranch operations, animal care, volunteer procedures, staff direction, or your volunteer experience, please bring it directly to ranch administration or the appropriate staff member.

We ask volunteers not to involve other volunteers in concerns or disagreements that they are not responsible for resolving. Open, respectful, and direct communication helps us address concerns appropriately and maintain a supportive environment for everyone.

Volunteers are expected to treat staff members, fellow volunteers, guests, and animals with respect.

Volunteer Qualifications

No previous ranch or animal experience is required. We will help you learn the responsibilities associated with your volunteer role.

We are looking for volunteers who are:

Reliable and dependable

Willing to learn and follow instructions

Comfortable working independently and as part of a team

Comfortable working outdoors in changing weather conditions

Able to perform the physical activities associated with their assigned tasks

Flexible and willing to help where needed

Respectful toward animals, guests, staff, and fellow volunteers

Committed to following ranch safety and animal-care procedures

Experience with animals, farming, gardening, landscaping, construction, carpentry, maintenance, or farm equipment is always helpful, but it is not required.

Getting Started

New volunteers are paired with an experienced volunteer or staff member who can show them the procedures and routines for their assigned responsibilities.

Scatter Joy Acres does not operate a formal classroom-style volunteer training program. Much of the learning happens through hands-on instruction and working alongside experienced volunteers and staff.

Please ask questions whenever you are unsure about a task. We would much rather have you ask before proceeding than guess when it involves an animal, equipment, or safety procedure.

Why Volunteer With Us?

Volunteering at Scatter Joy Acres is about much more than completing chores.

It is about becoming part of a community that cares for animals, supports people, teaches responsibility, and creates opportunities for meaningful connections.

You may spend one day caring for animals and another repairing a fence, building enrichment, helping a family, cleaning a pool, planting a garden, or preparing for an event. Every one of those jobs matters.

We recognize that your time is valuable, and we are grateful that you choose to share some of it with Scatter Joy Acres.

Thank you for helping us care for the animals, the ranch, and the people we serve.