I wanted to volunteer/work with animals, so I signed a form to help at Petco and PetSmart and to take care of the cats there. Although I got assigned to go to somebody's house instead of a store. Is this normal?
Why dont you look more into it? Maybe contact a petco or pets mart and find more information about it and ask if that's something they offer, and if it is something they offer and you're not comfortable with it ask if they have a different option. It is volunteer work most places are more flexible with volunteerers because they aren't getting paid.
@CookiePounder: Humanity is a vague concept. It's individuals I'd worry about. A lot of people here think this situation is OK because it's part of the way Pet Smart takes care of animals...so maybe It is OK. But it's never wrong to ask questions when something makes you hesitate.
@HoneyB: I don't know anyone who has volunteered.. but they have foster homes that they keep some of the animals at until they get adopted out. The shelter and store have limited space for them.
Yes and be concerned about catching scabies...I saw a student who volunteered with animals at a rescue shelter and she got a bad case of scabies from handling a mangy animal. Anyway don't go by yourself the first time.