Volunteer with AVHS

WE WELCOME VOLUNTEERS! JOIN OUR volunteer team!

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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.

Become an All Star Volunteer

Join the AVHS volunteer team and become an All-Star!  Our new All-Star Volunteer Program offers a holistic learning experience, creating a well-rounded and fully integrated volunteer.  A well-rounded volunteer is prepared and able to support the mission of AVHS in various ways.  New volunteers will complete a series of 7 in-person training modules in “Organizational Support.”  This will give the volunteer time to learn about the organization, a chance to work closely with the staff, and gain an appreciation for what we do here at AVHS.  Each module will consist of one 2-hour session in the following 7 categories.  Volunteers will complete these modules within their first 60 days following initial orientation.   New volunteers may opt to participate in specialized training (dog walking, cat care) concurrently with the “Organization Support” training modules and begin volunteering in an area of their choice.   Modules may be taken in any order.  You will learn more about the All-Star program and how to get started during your new volunteer orientation appointment.  For questions, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at jriss@auburnvalleyhs.org.

*Some exemptions apply: underage volunteers, medical restrictions, court-ordered community service, temporary light duty volunteers, or those seeking to fulfill school graduation hours.

Modules:

  • Laundry and Hospitality

  •  Public Services

  •  Dog Kennel Assistant and/or Cat Care

  •  Thrift Store

  •  Cat Café

  •  Outreach/Fundraising

  •  Northwest Spay & Neuter Center

 

WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

  • 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 want court-ordered community service, please go to this page.

  • Watch the online volunteer orientation video and take the accompanying quiz.

  • Contact the Volunteer Coordinator (jriss@auburnvalleyhs.org) to schedule an orientation appointment to discuss your interests and our volunteer opportunities and determine our volunteer schedule.

  • Attend training classes that pertain to the program area to which you are assigned. This will be discussed during your orientation appointment.

  • 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 18 years of age or older), such as a parent or legal guardian, grandparent, or older sibling 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.

*Anyone under the age of 18 will require a signed waiver from a parent or legal guardian.

AVHS Orientation - ONline

Orientation and additional training are online.

Frequently asked 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 (18 years of age or older), parent, or legal 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?

  • We ask our volunteers to make a minimum 6-month commitment to the program with a minimum of 8 hours per month (approximately once per week).

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

  • Yes. For high school community service, you can put together pet enrichments, assist with yard maintenance, wash windows and other cleaning tasks, or host a food/supply donations drive.

  • Court-ordered community service is accepted on a case-by-case basis. Fill out the Online Court Ordered Service Volunteer Application. Watch the mandatory video and take the accompanying quiz. Then contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Jriss@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 at multiple locations. For a list of volunteer opportunities, please select the “Click for Volunteer Opportunities” button below.

If you have further questions, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 253-409—1829 or Jriss@auburnvalleyhs.org.