Volunteer with AVHS

nEW volunteer assignments are being CREATED!

WE WELCOME VOLUNTEERS! JOIN The volunteer team!

Volunteer Page - 1 - Volunteers at BTF.jpg

For the Auburn Valley Humane Society to be a success, we need the help of the community! Volunteers are an integral part of our organization. With their help, we will be able to meet our fundraising goals and live our mission of enriching the lives of companion animals and people through animal sheltering, programs and community engagement.

What does it take?

First,

  • Do I enjoy interacting with people?

  • Am I ready to make a firm commitment to the animals today and give my time?

  • Am I 16 years or older?

    • If not, do I have a parent or guardian that can accompany me while I volunteer?*

  • Am I ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work?

 

Next,

  • Complete the online volunteer form.

  • OR click on the fillable volunteer application and print it to bring to the shelter.

  • If you wish to only foster, please complete the Foster Volunteer Application. For other questions about fostering, click here.

  • If you are wanting court-ordered community service, please go to this page.

  • Attend the online volunteer orientation.

  • Interview with the Volunteer Coordinator to determine your interest and schedule your placement.

  • Attend training classes that pertain to the program area you are assigned.

  • Attend the dog walking class online and schedule for 2nd dog walking class in-person. (Volunteer dog walking is optional).

  • Attend the cat care class training. (This is optional unless you want to be a cat care volunteer).

  • Schedule volunteer hours and have the TIME OF YOUR LIFE volunteering with the animals in our care!

* Volunteers between 10 and 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (someone over the age of 18), preferably a parent or legal guardian, while participating in any volunteer activity for AVHS.

*All volunteers under the age of 16 will have limited contact with animals (i.e. dog walking, cat care kennel, and cage cleaning).  They will, however, be able to participate in some of the most important lifesaving duties (i.e. laundry, washing dishes and cat pans, filling cat pans, stuffing KONGS, sweeping and mopping floors, as well as wiping down walls, doors, and door handles.

AVHS Orientations - ONline

Orientation and additional training is online.

Questions

How old do you have to be to volunteer?

  • You must be sixteen (16) to volunteer on your own.

  • Due to safety issues and insurance reasons, those between 10 and 15 MUST be accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian.

  • Those children under 10 years old are not eligible to volunteer. Check out our Shelter Buddies Reading Program to read to the cats.

What period of time do I need to commit to volunteering?

  • 6 months

Can I carry out community service hours at the Auburn Valley Humane Society?

  • Yes, for high school community service.

  • Court ordered community service is accepted on a case by case basis. Please contact us at 253-249-7849 ext. 118 or at jrisss@auburnvalleyhs.org to review your application and schedule court service time.

What type of experience or qualifications do I need to volunteer?

  • Our volunteer opportunities are so diverse; we can typically accommodate a

    wide range of skill sets.

What sorts of programs do you offer volunteers?

We offer a wide variety of volunteer positions AND opportunities, such as:

  • Dog Walking

  • Cat Care Cleaner

  • Project Paws Enrichment

  • Animal Care Technician Assistant

  • Laundry/Hospitality

  • Pet Pantry Assistant

  • Adoption Events (i.e. with PetSmart, MudBay)

  • Fundraising Events (i.e. Photos with Santa Paws, AVHS Whiskers & Paws Auction)

  • Foster Opportunities with cats and dogs

  • Pet Transport Volunteer

  • Humane Education Programs

  • Volunteer at the AVHS  animal shelter, AVHS Thrift Store & More, NW Spay & Neuter Center,

    and offsite

If you have further questions, please contact us at 253-249-7849 ext. 118 or jriss@auburnvalleyhs.org