Volunteer Opportunities

Working with Shelter Animals

Dog Walking

Responsibilities: Exercise and provide companionship for our shelter dogs by walking them outside on HHS property. Sometimes also provide grooming.

Requirements: 18 years of age to participate without limitation; 16 years of age with written permission of parent or guardian to walk easy temperament dogs

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program 2) Easy Temperament Dog Training 3) Optional Difficult Temperament Dog Training

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer, however we request at least four hours per month

Volunteer Hours: Monday: 12:00pm-4:00pm; Tuesday: 12:00pm-8:00pm; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 12:00 pm-6:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm

Cat Socializing

Responsibilities: Socialize shelter cats, on-site, through playtime and grooming.

Requirements: 18 years of age to participate without limitation; 16 years of age with written permission of parent or guardian; 12 years of age to participate accompanied by parent or guardian

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program 2) Cat Socialization Training

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer, however we request at least four hours per month

Volunteer Hours: Monday: 10:00am-4:00pm: Tuesday: 2:00pm-8:00pm; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 12:00 pm-6:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm.

Foster Care  

Responsibilities: House shelter animal(s) until ready for adoption. Animals are either recovering from illness, pregnant, not socialized, or too young. HHS provides all necessary food, equipment, and medication.

Requirements: 18 years of age; Ability to care for animals with special needs; Ability to transport animal to veterinarian as needed

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program 2) Foster Care Training

Time Commitment: Varies depending on needs of animal

Vet Transportation

Responsibilities: Using your own car or the shelter’s van, drive shelter animals requiring spay or neuter surgery to local veterinarian.

Requirements: 18 years of age; Current driver’s license

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program 2) Vet Transportation Training

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer

Volunteer Hours: Trips are usually scheduled in early morning

Working with Your Animal

Responsibilities: Visit residents in area retirement communities, nursing homes, assisted living and adult day care with your shelter-approved pet.

Requirements for Owner: 18 years of age to participate without limitation; 12 years of age to participate accompanied by parent or guardian; Enjoy meeting and conversing with strangers some who may be confused, physically or mentally challenged, or terminally ill; Comfortable in a nursing home type of environment

Requirements for Pet: Proof of current rabies vaccination; Pass shelter-performed behavioral test

Training: 1) Volunteer/Pet Therapy Orientation Program with HHS 2) Owner-Only Training at a Facility 3) Owner + Pet Training at a Facility (This is done separately for each pet participating in the program).

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer; each visit lasts approximately 45 minutes; Some volunteers make one visit per month, others make multiple visits

Volunteer Hours: Visits scheduled Monday through Friday during late morning or early afternoon

R.E.A.D. ®(Reading Education Assistance Dogs) Therapy Program

Responsibilities: Visit area libraries with your Delta-registered pet to foster a love of reading in children.

Requirements for Owner: 18 years of age; Pass R.E.A.D. qualifying test; Comfortable reading with children in a school or library setting

Requirements for Pet: Delta-registered dogs or cats; Comfortable in a sit/stay position for extended period of time

Training: 1) Volunteer/R.E.A.D. Orientation Program with HHS 2) Owner-Only Training at a Facility 3) Owner + Pet Training at a Facility (This is done separately for each pet participating in the program).

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer; each visit lasts approximately one hour; Some volunteers make one visit per month, others make multiple visits

Volunteer Hours: Visits are scheduled weekday evenings and during the day on Saturdays

CARe (Canine Assisted Rehabilitation) Therapy Program

Responsibilities: Visit Adventist Hinsdale Hospital (currently Paulson Pediatric Rehabilitation Center) with your Delta-registered pet to assist children with physical rehabilitation in achieving therapy goals.

Requirements for Owner: 18 years or older; Sign a confidentiality agreement with hospital; Pass a background check with hospital

Requirements for Pet: Delta-registered dogs only; Comfortable with children in a therapist guided setting.

Training: 1) Volunteer/CARe Orientation Program with HHS  2) Adventist Hinsdale Hospital ID’s for owner and pet  3) Hospital Orientation Program  4) Individual guidance from therapist specifically with each patient

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer and therapist; each visit lasts approximately 45 minutes; Determined by therapist according to volunteer availability and patient requirements.

Volunteer Hours: Visits are scheduled Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 6:30 PM

Working with People

Shelter Reception Desk

Responsibilities: Greet the public in person and on the phone at the shelter’s reception desk.

Requirements: 21 years of age; Customer service skills

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program 2) Reception Desk Training

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer

Volunteer Hours: Tuesday: 2:00pm-8:00pm; Saturday, Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm

Special Fundraising Events   

Responsibilities: Assist the PR Special Events Director with annual events like Pet Walk, Bowling for Animals, and seasonal events.   There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available year round including: festivals, parades, events in the community and promotions at area pet stores.

 Requirements: 16 years of age or younger volunteering with a parent

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer

Humane Education

Responsibilities: Assist our Humane Educator with conducting HHS School Programs, HHS Summer Camp, and shelter tours.

Requirements: 18 years of age; Desire to work with children; Teaching experience helpful but not required

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program  2) Training with staff member

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer

Working with Computers

Website Maintenance

Responsibilities: Update the Adoptable Animals section of our website. This involves taking photos, uploading photos, and updating content on our website. Computer work can be done on shelter laptops or remotely on user’s computer.

Requirements: 18 years of age; Computer knowledge helpful

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program 2) Website Maintenance Training

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer

Volunteer Hours: All work at shelter performed Monday: 12:00pm-4:00pm; Tuesday: 2:00pm-8:00pm; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 12:00 pm-6:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm. Any remote computer work performed at volunteer’s discretion.

Administrative Support    

Responsibilities: Update the shelter’s databases using shelter laptops.

Requirements: 18 years of age; Computer knowledge helpful

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program 2) Training with staff member

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer

Working on your Own

Food Pantry Deliveries

Responsibilities: Using your own car, collect pet food and supplies from the shelter and deliver it to area residents who need a little extra help caring for their pets. 

Requirements: 18 years of age; Current driver’s license; Access to a car

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program 2) Food Pantry Training

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer

Gardening

Responsibilities: Caring for the shelter’s gardens and grounds.

Requirements: 18 years of age

Training: 1) Volunteer Orientation Program

Time Commitment: Determined by volunteer

Custom

Design your own volunteer opportunity. Do you have a special talent, such as photography or art? Tell us about it and we may be able to put it to good use.