We need you!

Volunteers are essential to saving animals’ lives. And we have oodles of opportunities to get involved!

volunteer with a cat, cat comforting

Register for Orientation!

How do I become a volunteer at HSHV?

Volunteering at HSHV is a very rewarding experience that can accommodate many skills, talents and interests. Your first step is to attend our interactive, hands-on New Volunteer Orientation. New Volunteer Orientations are held twice a month. During the orientation, you will have the opportunity to tour our facility and meet other prospective volunteers while learning the skills necessary to be successful on your first day of volunteering. This is a great chance to get to know our organization as well as ask any questions you may have.

There is a one-time, non-refundable program fee of $45  per person to volunteer. If you are completing court ordered community service, the fee is $80. This fee, collected at the time of registration, includes your volunteer T-shirt and nametag, many training and continuing education opportunities, as well as access to our on-line resource library. This fee helps offset the costs of supplies and allows us to direct more money toward the care of our animals.

What’s next after orientation?

Our volunteer program is based on a 4 paw system:

Paw I — All volunteers start here! The Paw I level gives volunteers time to become familiar with our shelter and staff. Volunteers will be at this level during their first 10 hours of service. As a Paw I volunteer, you may help us clean the shelter, do laundry, staff community events, assist with our Bountiful Bowls Pet Food Program or support our clinic and administrative staff, and more!

Paw II — The Next Level! After completing your initial 10 hours of service, you can decide to be trained in hands-on animal enrichment with cats or dogs (community service volunteers must complete their service hours first). You can also choose to receive training in other volunteer service areas, such as Greeter, Humane Education and Veterinary clinic support. Paw II volunteers can still help with Paw I assignments, too!

Paw III & Paw IV — Moving up! Volunteers interested in expanding their horizon can request additional training to advance to the Paw III and Paw IV levels. Volunteers can become “experts” by expanding their knowledge in animal handling and/or adoption support areas by training to become Adoption Counselors, Customer Care Volunteers, Level II Dog Walkers, Level II Cat Comforters, or Trainers. Volunteers at these levels demonstrate a higher level of commitment in these vital roles. Of course, you can still help with Paw I or Paw II assignments, too!

More questions? Please see Volunteer FAQ’s or email volunteers@hshv.org.