Volunteer

Thank you very much for your interest in volunteering at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals! We have an incredible group of volunteers, and by donating your time, energy, and love, you can join them in playing an integral role in promoting the health and well-being of all the horses.

Please note that if you are under 16 years old, a parent/guardian will need to volunteer alongside you at the shelter.

These opportunities are not currently available but may be in the future. Please check back to see when new opportunities become available.

Washing Feed Buckets – Any morning, except for Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as limited available shifts on Wednesdays and Sundays. Mornings are best, but flexible.
Scraping/Painting – Fences, barns, sheds, etc.
Treasure’s Tack Shack – Welcome shoppers in the MSSPA’s volunteer-run tack shack. Answer questions about tack, accept donations, prepare items for display. Tack Shack is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 am – 12 pm, however, behind-the-scenes prep can happen other days/times.
Picking Paddocks – Must have horse experience and feel comfortable using a heavy wheelbarrow to move manure. **Minimum age and skill level requirement.
Cleaning Barns – Scrubbing stall doors/walls
Cleaning Building – Washing windows, dusting, sweeping, filling toilet paper/paper towel holders, taking out trash, etc.
Arena Maintenance – Raking down sides, dusting off kick walls, dusting metal piping, window washing, etc.
Carpentry – Checking/repairing fences, replacing nails with uniform hardware, shed repairs
Mucking stalls – Mornings between 9:00 -11:00 am
Grounds maintenance – Mowing and weed whacking
Tour Guide – Be an MSSPA ambassador on the farm! Welcome visitors, give farm tours, answer questions, Tues, Wed, Sat 11:30 am – 2:30 pm.
Grounds Maintenance – Weeding, occasional gardening, thistle removal, and raking hay.

The River Road farm is open seven days a week from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
You do not need to have horse experience to volunteer (unless an opportunity indicates otherwise). The MSSPA will provide the training required to volunteer.
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult co-volunteer.
The MSSPA welcomes volunteers looking to fulfill most community service requirements for educational and/or legal purposes. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
There is no required number of hours/days to volunteer, and we try to meet the scheduling needs of volunteers to the best of our ability.
After 20 hours of service, volunteers are awarded an MSSPA volunteer t-shirt and have the opportunity to groom horses.
We ask that all volunteers and staff wear closed-toed/heeled shoes, and long pants/leggings when they volunteer at the River Road farm.
If you have a special skill that you would like to share with the MSSPA (i.e. photography, bookkeeping, fundraising, etc.), please talk with the Volunteer Coordinator.