Volunteer

Do you love animals and want to make a difference? The Animal Humane Society has a corps of compassionate, caring volunteers who are critical to helping us help the animals. Our volunteers value the interaction with people and animals that makes this a meaningful experience.

Requirements

Desire to support animal care, strong customer service skills and assessment of animal care needs and adoption options.

Commitment of a minimum of one year of volunteering at least twice per month. Volunteer shifts are typically 2 - 4 hours, depending on the assignment.

Minimum of 16 years of age.

14 and 15 year olds have the opportunity to volunteer if they are accompanied by a parent during the Information Session, all training and all volunteer service.

Volunteers must be able to work independently and communicate with the public.

Some positions require physical ability to lift at least 50 lbs and stand for long periods of time.

Please note that short term volunteer opportunities involving animal care are not available.

If you meet the requirements listed above and are interested in helping, we have opportunities for volunteers who can spare of minimum of two 2–4 hour volunteer shifts per month. Some of our volunteer opportunities include:

Adoption Support
Work closely with customers in support of helping to find a good match between people and animals. Help keep the animals comfortable and happy while they wait for a new home. You can work with dogs, cats or small mammals on the adoption floor. Volunteers in this area must have good communication skills and a genuine fondness for working with people.

Foster Care
Foster volunteers provide temporary loving homes for animals that are not yet ready for adoption.

Mission: Meow
Help Animal Humane Society through the busy kitten season by taking an adult feline houseguest into your home. Foster periods run for six months with start dates throughout the summer months. Cats will then be returned to Animal Humane Society at a time when customers historically consider adopting an adult cat and when we have fewer kittens. Learn more...

Veterinary Services
Volunteers can assist the Veterinary Services staff with medications, vaccinations and in the surgery areas. Exam volunteers assist the Animal Humane Society’s exam staff in recording health data on adoptable animals. They also assist with the physical examination process by offering restraint and diversion. Exam volunteers should have some experience in basic computer operations including data entry skills and a willingness to work in close association with a variety of animals. Prerequisite: Adoption Support volunteering

Fundraising and Special Events
Help raise funds to support Animal Humane Society programs and services and bring greater awareness to the community about the issues facing our companion animals. Assist at special events such as the Walk for Animals and Whisker Whirl, or help with administrative projects. If you are interested in more information about helping with fundraising and special events then please call our Volunteer Services Department at 763-432-4833 or email volunteer@animalhumanesociety.org.

Animal-Assisted Therapy / Animal Ambassadors
Become an Animal Ambassador and take your people-loving pet to nursing homes, hospitals, or other facilities to visit with people whose living situation or disabilities do not allow them to have ongoing contact with an animal companion. The Animal Ambassadors are a group of volunteers who, with their animal partners, have completed training in animal-assisted therapy work. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and other domesticated animals can be trained as therapy animals. If you are interested in more information about training to become an animal-assisted therapy team with your pet, please contact our education manager at 763-489-1585 or contact our Education department online.

Animal Behavior and Training
Help increase an animal's chance of finding a new home by helping them to improve their behavior skills, or help them to overcome shyness and fearfulness.

Assist trainers in our Training School by facilitating the learning process and helping students.

Be part of our “Behavior Helpline” by answering animal behavior questions and assist pet owners with finding information to address animal behavior problems. Prerequisite: Adoption Support volunteering

How You Can Help

Volunteer

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