Five local volunteer organizations for animal lovers
There’s something refreshingly simple and comforting about spending time with animals. The lack of drama, the abundance of unconditional joy they bring, and the easy knowledge of how to make a difference, no matter how small the effort. Here in the Upstate, we’re lucky to have dozens of ways to give our spare time (and extra belly scratches!) to the unlucky creatures who need it most. Whether you’re looking to spend an hour or day, commit to a longer foster role, or do something a little wild—like help rehabilitate wildlife—you’ll find a handful of our favorite organizations below. Trust us: they can’t wait to hear from you.
Greenville Humane Society
One of the most visible and well-known 501(c)(3) organizations in the Upstate, the Greenville Humane Society is a great fit for those new to volunteering or animal care. Well-organized and staffed by friendly experts, the society has a flexible schedule in need of volunteers of all ages open to cleaning, feeding, socializing the animals and talking to potential adopters. With a beautiful location and convenient training sessions, this is a great way for individuals, families, or community groups to help neighbors find support and clinic resources, and cats and dogs to find their perfect match.
Contact Info:
864-242-3626
The Barker Rescue Project
A smaller, passionate group with a focus on cats and kittens, the Barker Rescue Project is ideal for those who love to roll up their sleeves and get involved. A 501(c)(3) rescue, saving lives through spaying/neutering, adoptions and community education, the organization welcomes volunteers who will meet lots of individual animals looking for their forever home, and assist in rehabilitating strays, adoption events, and fostering. Most notably, the project performs a vital population control service throughout the Upstate: the humane and compassionate trapping, neutering, and releasing or adopting of strays.
Contact Info:
864-663-2287
Izzie’s Pond
If you’re looking for a heartwarming origin story, look no further than this animal rescue and sanctuary, named after the family’s daughter, Izzie. A nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, Izzie’s Pond helps rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife with a focus on rabies vector species, from ducks to raccoons and even foxes! A big part of this includes educating the community on what to do when you find a wild creature—a role that has since blossomed into dozens of engagement opportunities. Their visitor-friendly sanctuary offers summer camps, Scout and homeschool day programs, and they’re always in need of volunteers to help clean and cuddle, answer the hotlines, and be trained to perform rescue transport.
Contact Info:
864-372-9992
Lucky Pup Rescue
Do you love to play and stay active just as much as the next pup? Make Lucky Pup Rescue your top pick this year. Foster a dog (or two) with this 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or act as an on-call dispenser of belly rubs by taking their many foster pups out on walks, hikes, and adventures—the hope is that you run into the perfect adopter while you’re having fun. Foster parents play a vital role in this group: you get to directly impact the future of the animals you help save by vetting potential families, meeting with the adopters, and evaluating if the fit between pup and new home is the right one.
Contact Info:
864-553-0512
Partners in Animal Care
If you love animal-focused and -friendly events, this volunteer board-run group is for you. Although the gatherings slowed down during the pandemic, fun fundraising parties are slated to be back on the block soon. Partners in Animal Care is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the mission, programs, and initiatives of Greenville County Animal Care—the state’s largest open-admission, “no-kill” animal shelter—through community engagement and awareness campaigns. Volunteer opportunities are often less hands-on, more social: help host events at breweries, join the board, or spread the word online.
Contact Info:
info@partnersinanimalcare.org
Big on interest, but short on time?
A good reminder: donations to all of these organizations aren’t just a much-needed boon, they’re tax deductible. A win-win.
