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Volunteer

Valley Humane Society wants YOU! Join our valued team of volunteers for a rewarding experience that has a meaningful impact on the lives of animals and people in our community with your unique talents.

Volunteer

Put your talents to work in our community by becoming a Valley Humane Society volunteer. The heart and soul of our organization, volunteers help us rescue more animals and reach more people than we ever could alone.

All volunteers must be 16 years old and able to meet our essential job function. Candidates are asked to make a six month to one year commitment working a weekly shift on a set schedule. Please see our current openings and job descriptions below, and read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information.

Volunteers make a difference, make new friends, and make it all possible! Apply online today or ask questions of our volunteer department using our online contact form.

 

Current Volunteer Login

Animal Care Openings

Cat Care
Tuesday 8-10 am
Friday 8-10 am

Dog Care
Currently Full

Community Care Openings

Customer Service
Wednesday 1-4 pm
Thursday 12-4 pm
Friday 1-4 pm

Previous Customer Service Experience Required

Volunteer Job Descriptions

Explore the various roles volunteers play at Valley Humane Society. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. We are unable to offer parent-child volunteering, but please explore our youth project ideas for many ways kids can help shelter pets.

Customer Service Representative
Are you a lover of animals, and people too? Then you might just be interested in our volunteer position of Customer Service Representative! At Valley Humane Society, our customer service representatives (CSRs) embrace and exemplify our vision, our mission and our values. CSRs create a welcoming space in our facility, act as a trustworthy source to the public, present information in a non-threatening way and provide a direct, positive and personal experience to Valley Humane customers, potential adopters and community members. CSRs suspend personal judgement and give customers the benefit of the doubt.

The ideal CSR has a customer service, reception, or retail background and must be comfortable interacting with different types of people in person, over the phone, and sometimes by email. You should be professional in demeanor and flexible to roll with the unexpected. With additional training, this role can lead to the volunteer position of Adoption Counselor and you can learn how to complete adoptions on your own. Must be at least 18 years old. This position is based on an interview process.

Cat Care
  • Required training: attend New Volunteer Orientation, attend Cats 101 Workshop, complete 2 shadow shifts as a Cat Care volunteer
  • Shift times:
  • Cat Care: focus is on providing the best care and socialization to our shelter cats.
  • Responsibilities include:
    • Feeding cats
    • Documenting findings in each cat’s medical chart
    • Loading and unloading cat dishes in dishwasher
    • Cleaning kennels which includes sanitizing the kennel
    • Change and/or shake out their blankets
    • Cleaning litter boxes
    • Sweeping and tidying up Kitty City and feature rooms in the hall way
    • Disinfecting the litter scoops
Dog Care

Must be comfortable with all size dogs and dogs that pull on the leash

  • Required training: attend New Volunteer Orientation, attend Dogs 101 Workshop, complete 2 shadow shifts as a Dog Care volunteer
  • Shift times:
  • Dog Care: Focus is on providing the best care and socialization to our shelter dogs.
  • Responsibilities include:
    • Feeding dogs/puppies
    • Documenting findings in each dog’s medical chart
    • Washing dog bowls
    • Cleaning kennels which includes sanitizing the kennel
    • Setting up their kennel with a bed food and water
    • Cleaning up after the dog (picking up poop)
    • Sweeping and mopping kennels and Doggy Drive
    • Walking dogs after they eat and before you leave at night

FAQs

How do I become a volunteer?

After reviewing these FAQs, you can get started by checking out our open shifts. When a shift is available that you can do, please email the volunteer manager and you will be scheduled for trainings. Volunteers must be at least 16 years or old, and be fully vaccinated. We ask for a commitment of one shift per week and for one year. All volunteers must be able to meet our Essential Job Function.

Can I volunteer with my child?
No, unfortunately each volunteer must be able to do the required job on their own with no assistance. We do not have “parent child volunteering”. Please read our Essential Job Function for details.
Can I volunteer as a team?
We do not have “team” volunteering. Each individual must be be able to do the required job with no assistance.
What training is required?
All volunteers must complete the New Volunteer Orientation and the appropriate training workshops and shadow training for their assigned paths.
Do you have drop-in volunteering?
We appreciate your enthusiasm of our volunteer program, but we rely 100% on volunteers to care for the animals, therefore each volunteer must make a commitment and work a weekly shift on a set schedule. We do not have drop in volunteering.
How old do I have to be to volunteer?
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and willing to make a one year commitment.
Do you have community service volunteering?

We do offer volunteer opportunities for youth working on community service hours. We ask for a six month commitment and working a weekly shift. The same volunteer requirements apply.

We do not offer “Court Ordered” community service hours.

Are there any costs associated with volunteering for the Valley Humane Society?
All new volunteers must purchase a Volunteer Starter Kit for $30 that will set you up with a volunteer t-shirt, name badge, and volunteer manuals. This fee allows us to provide your materials without taking any money away from the support of the animals in our care.
How do I get my dog involved in Canine Comfort?

Please fill out and mail in the handler application and dog application. Please read about our program here**. After review you will then be contacted to attend a Canine Comfort Orientation where you will learn about VHS and our history and how to get involved with our Canine Comfort Program.

If you have any questions, please contact Volunteer Program Manager Shoshannah Reed.

Need High School Service hours?

To volunteer at Valley Humane Society’s adoption center, individuals must be 16 years old and able to commit to a regular, weekly shift for 6 months or more. Therefore, we encourage high school seniors looking to fulfill service hours to host fundraisers or donation drives to support Valley Humane’s lifesaving programs. Or, teens can make enrichment crafts to improve the lives of cats and dogs awaiting adoption. Tied fleece blankets are always needed!

Visit our Youth Project Ideas webpage for ideas, or contact the Volunteer Manager for more information on getting started.

See what you can do to help!
White dog running

Need a short-term commitment?

Open your hearts and homes as a pet foster! Foster families expand the walls of our adoption center and care for animals to help save more lives.
Learn More

Want to volunteer with your dog?

Comfort those in our community who need it most by sharing your dog’s unconditional love and friendship with others as a volunteer team.
Learn More
cta collage

There are many ways to help!

Shop our wish list, purchase a memorial wall tile, or sponsor an event...there are many other ways to support Valley Humane Society's programs and services.

Find out more!