Volunteer Requirements:
   Training and mentoring prepares volunteers for their specific work area and can takes 1-3 months to complete. Please review the following list of training requirements before completing an application.
   All new volunteers are required to attend a 2 hour orientation class and participate in a 2-3 hour general training class.

• They must attend and participate in 1 or 2 mentor shifts.
• They must attend additional training specific to their chosen volunteer area.
• Adult volunteers must be a minimum of 19 years of age.
• Youth volunteers must be at least 14 years of age, and those under age 16 must be accompanied by a sponsoring adult.
• Volunteers must be able to contribute a minimum of 2 volunteer shifts per month for a minimum total of 6 hours per month, and commit to at least 6 months participation in the program.
• Volunteers must be able to work independently and communicate with the public.

Specific Volunteer Programs:
   The Animal Humane Society is always in need of volunteers who are interested in helping with shelter activities and special events. Currently, the Society has nearly 500 volunteers who assist staff in our exam, adoption, lost & found, development and education departments. Volunteers are also relied upon to assist with special events such as the Walk for Animals and Open House. If you would like to help and can spare a minimum of 6 hours per month, the Society could use your talents in any of the following areas.

Adoption Center
   Assist customers in the animal selection process and provide basic supervision in the adoption center. Volunteers in this area must have good communication skills and a genuine fondness of working with people.
Dog Training
   Volunteers assist trainers in our dog and puppy classes by facilitating the learning process and helping students. Help keep dogs and puppies in their homes by teaching good manners, management, and socialization. Volunteers must have good communication skills and enjoy working with people as well as pooches!
Domestic Foster Parenting
   Foster parent volunteers play a critical role by providing temporary care to sick, young and pregnant animals that are often received by the Society. Foster parent volunteers must be able to provide daily care, sometimes for several weeks, and have the ability to detach themselves emotionally.
Exam Department
   Exam volunteers assist the 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.
Grooming Area
   Grooming area volunteers assist in bathing and grooming animals prior to their placement in the adoption center. Patience is a must with this position and a general tolerance of water also helps! Grooming volunteers will generally handle a wide variety of dogs and some cats. Yes, we actually do bathe cats! Most animals are in need of a good bath, others require medicated flea baths, tick removal, etc.
Lost & Found Service
   Volunteers assist in the operation of the Society's computerized lost & found system by assisting in the return of lost pets to their owners. L & F volunteers must have good phone and data entry skills. Good detective skills is also a plus!
Office Assistant
   Office volunteers are always in need to assist with special projects such as bulk mailings, document sorting and filing, computer data entry and many others. This position is great for those who want to help animals, but may not feel comfortable physically interacting with animals.
Animal Ambassadors
    It's possible to volunteer as a team with your certified animal companion. We look forward to helping you help people as you visit with your animal. To be an Animal Ambassador with the Animal Humane Society, you and your animal need to be certified with one of the three major national pet therapy organizations – Delta Society’s Pet Partners, Therapy Dog Incorporated, or Therapy Dogs International. More information about programs and certification training is available here.
Special Events and Programs
   Special event volunteers assist staff with the set-up, takedown and operation of Society special events. Such events include the Walk for Animals, Open House, Horse Show, and Camp Critter.