Adult Volunteers
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington! Our volunteers are an integral part of our organization, providing over 23,000 hours of service every single year. We offer a wide variety of positions in both animal care and animal handling as well as in non-animal related areas. If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of our shelter animals, we want to hear from you! Orientation and training for different assignments are held on alternating months. After we receive your application we will contact you with a schedule of upcoming training dates. Please read through the different opportunities below to find a position that best suits your interests and lifestyle.
*Please note - Participation in the Adult Volunteer Program requires a materials fee to help off-set the costs of volunteer uniforms and training materials. The materials fee is $10 for cat handling volunteers, shelter resource volunteers, and administrative volunteers. The fee is $20 for dog handling volunteers. We value your service and appreciate help with these costs. However, if you are financially unable to cover the fees, please let us know and we can find a way to help.
Adult Volunteer Program Requirements
- Open to adults (ages 18 and older) only.
- Volunteers must be able to commit to a volunteer term of at least 6 months.
- The ability to commit to a regualr weekly shift is preferred.
- Volunteers must complete all required training prior to starting their volunteer service.
Adult Volunteer Positions
Animal Handling Volunteer
Animal Handling Volunteers assist with the basic, day-to-day animal operations of the shelter. Duties may include exercising, socializing and training dogs, cats and other small animals, cleaning kennels, laundry services, customer service and patron assistance. All Animal Handling positions are offered 7 days a week.
Positions Include: Morning Dog Walking Volunteers (8am-10am fixed shift), Dog Socialization (10am-12pm fixed shift) Dog Socialization and Adoptions Assistant Volunteers (flexible shifts between 12pm and 6pm), Afternoon Dog Walking Volunteers (4pm-6pm fixed shift), Morning Cat Service Volunteers (8am-10am fixed shift), Cat Socialization (10am-12pm fixed shift) Cat Socialization and Adoptions Assistant Volunteers (flexible shifts between 12pm and 6pm).
Humane Education and Outreach Volunteers
Humane Education and Outreach Volunteers assist with Humane Education programs, community outreach, public relations and special event planning and staffing. Volunteers may participate in local and regional events and fairs to promote Humane Society programs and transport animals for off-site adoptions. Volunteers may also assist with filing, answering or making phone calls, maintaining computer databases and facilitating direct mailing campaigns.
Positions Include: Humane Education Assistant and Outreach and Special Event Assistant. All Humane Education and Outreach Volunteer positions are intermittent and hours are dependent on events and programs.
Shelter Resource Volunteers
Shelter Resource Volunteers provide a valuable service to the Humane Society by assisting with many areas of operations that may not have direct contact with animals (or may have limited contact with animals). Resource volunteers may assist with the intake and receiving of animals to the shelter, retail services at one of our Re Tails Thrift Stores, caring for our adoptable cats at Petco, photographing animals, or helping with administrative duties (computer work, grant writing, graphic design, special projects).
Positions Include: Retail Assistant, Animal Receiving Assistant, Photographer, Administrative Assistant, and Petco Assistant.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, please sign up for one of our upcoming volunteer orientations. We hope to hear from you soon!