Volunteer Opportunities

• Cat Care and Cleaning

  Days and times needed – Mornings 8 am - noon (At least 2 hours within this time frame.) All cats must be cared for before we open to the public at noon.

  Purpose – Providing a safe, clean, and enriched environment for all felines.

  Job description – Cleaning cat areas, scooping litter boxes, refilling water and food bowls, sweeping & mopping floors, restocking supplies, emptying trash, and assessing cat’s health and well-being. Volunteer will be responsible for one of our 3 cat areas.

  Volunteer Requirements - Volunteer must be at least 16 years old and able to commit to a weekly schedule. Must be able to tolerate foul odors, bend over, squat, stand on a step stool, lift up to 30 pounds, be detail oriented, read and follow directions and work independently.

• Small Animal Care and Cleaning

  (Small animals can consist of, but aren’t limited to, rabbits, small rodents, ferrets, birds, reptiles, amphibians, etc. This population changes depending on our Intakes.)

  Days and times needed – Mornings 8am - noon (Approximately 2 hours within this time frame.  All animals must be cared for before we open to the public at noon.)

  Purpose – Providing a safe, clean, and enriched environment for all our small animals.

  Job Description – Cleaning small animal cages, setting up cages, refilling water & food bowls, sweeping & mopping floors, restocking supplies, emptying trash, assessing health and well being of the animals. Providing enrichment is optional but desired.

  Volunteer Requirements - Volunteer must be at least 16 years old and able to commit to a weekly schedule. Must be able to tolerate foul odors, bend over, squat, stand on a step stool, lift up to 30 pounds, be detail oriented, read and follow directions and work independently. Candidate must feel comfortable working with a variety of species or be willing to learn.

• Dog Walker

  Days and times needed - 8 am – 10 am and 2 pm – 4 pm daily

  Purpose - The purpose of walking the dogs is to allow them to relieve themselves outside and to get some exercise and stimulation. All dogs need regular exercise and they enjoy time out of the kennel as well as human interaction. Proper walking, socializing and training improves their chances of adoption and makes the dog a much better pet when adopted into their permanent home.

  Job Description – The volunteer will be responsible for walking one room of dogs. The dogs are removed from their kennel on leash and walked to a fenced in area for approximately 10 minutes of exercise and socialization. They can be allowed off leash after ensuring that they are inside the appropriate secure area. It is important to make every effort to encourage good behavior, using VHS approved training commands and hand signals, and proper play and socialization. Volunteer is responsible for scooping feces from yards and kennels, mopping urine from floors, refilling water bowls, cleaning up messes, occasionally feeding and brushing, and assessing health and wellbeing of the dogs.

  Volunteer Requirements - Volunteer must be at least 16 years old and able to commit to a weekly schedule. Must be able to read signs, bend over, squat, lift up to 30 pounds, handle loud noises and foul odors, be detail oriented, follow directions and work independently. Candidate must feel comfortable working with a variety of canine breeds, temperaments, and sizes.

• Intakes Department Assistant

  Days and times needed – Tuesday-Saturday 9 am – noon and noon - 3 pm

  Purpose – Providing a safe and clean environment for all animals and their owners during the surrender process.

  Job Description – Cleaning animal cages, scooping litter boxes, refilling water and food bowls, sweeping & mopping floors, restocking supplies, emptying trash, and helping staff assess animal’s physical and mental health and well-being. Customer service, answering phones, and scheduling appointments may be additional responsibilities with experience.

  Volunteer Requirements - Volunteer must be at least 16 years old and able to commit to a weekly schedule. Must be able to read signs, bend over and squat, handle loud noises and foul odors, be detail oriented, follow and take directions and work well with a team. Candidate must feel comfortable working around all types of dogs and cats, and blood, feces, and needles.

• Spay & Neuter Clinic Assistant

  Days and times needed – Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 11:30 am and 11:30 am – 3:30 pm 

  Purpose – Providing a safe and clean environment for all animals utilizing our Clinic services. 

  Job Description - Cleaning and sterilizing all laundry, tools and cages utilized by our Clinic patients. Setting up clean cages, preparing food, sweeping & mopping floors, restocking supplies, and emptying trash. 

  Volunteer Requirements - Volunteer must be at least 16 years old and able to commit to a weekly schedule. Must be able to read signs, bend over, squat, lift up to 30 pounds, handle loud noises and foul odors, be detail-oriented, follow directions and work independently. Candidate must feel comfortable working around surgery, bodily fluids, and needles.

• Vaccine Clinic Assistant

  Days and times needed – Saturdays 7:15 am – 2:00 pm

  Purpose – Providing an organized, safe and clean environment for all animals and their owners utilizing our Vaccine Clinic services.

  Job Description – Assisting customers with paperwork and questions, and restocking supplies.

  Volunteer Requirements - Volunteer must be at least 16 years old and able to commit to a monthly schedule. Must have good customer service skills, be able to read signs, bend over and squat, handle loud noises and foul odors, be detail oriented, follow directions and work independently. Candidate must feel comfortable working around all types of dogs and cats.

• Laundry and Dishes

  Days and times needed – Daily 8:00 am - close (At least 2 hours within this time frame.) We close at 4:30 pm on Sundays and Mondays, and at 6:00 pm Tuesdays – Saturdays.

  Purpose – To provide clean and sanitized bedding, toys, and food & water bowls for shelter use.

  Job description – Washing and sanitizing dishes, bedding and toys. Sorting and organizing items, and folding and putting away clean supplies in the appropriate place. Sweeping & mopping the laundry room floor.

  Volunteer requirements - Volunteer must be at least 16 years old. Must be able to tolerate foul odors and messes, bend over, stand on a step stool, and be detail oriented, read signs, follow directions and work independently.

• Happy Tails Resale Shop Cashier

  Happy Tails Resale Shop, located right here at the VHS shelter, is a vital source of funding for our animals! It's a small shop where you'll find a huge variety of unique items, all new or gently used, at great prices. 

  Because the shop is volunteer-opperated, 100% of proceeds go straight to the animals. That's where YOU come in - volunteer at Happy Tails to help us keep the funds flowing! 

  Happy Tails Cashier Volunteers will be trained to process card and cash transactions and assist customers. It's a fun and easy job that makes a big impact! 

  Available shifts: 9:45-1:00 and 1:00-4:15, Friday and Saturday  

  We would love to have two volunteers per shift, so feel free to sign up with a friend! To get started, please email VHS Volunteer Coordinator Mackenzee McKittrick at [email protected]

  Volunteer Requirements: must be at least 16 years old and able to commit to a monthly schedule.