Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers working directly with animals are required to be over the age of 18, but there are still a variety of ways for young people to get involved at HHS and make a difference in the lives of our homeless pets. Read more about our youth volunteer opportunities below and fill out the interest form to get started.
If you are interested in Humane Education programs for youth, please visit our Humane Education page.
Pawsitive Impact
Enrollment for this school year is now closed.
Enrollment for the 2025 - 2026 school year will open in summer 2025.
Pawsitive Impact is a youth volunteer program for grades 6th - 8th. The program seeks to prepare young adults for our Teenternship Program (age 15) by entrusting them with various organizational tasks around the shelter once a week. The cost for this volunteer program is $20 per school year and can be paid by clicking the button below. Registration will reopen in Summer 2025
Once you have paid the volunteer fee, you will receive a link to sign up for a volunteer slot. Please sign up for a slot each week. We will have a maximum of eight slots available every Wednesday afternoon from 4:30–6 pm. Slots will become available two weeks prior to the date on which the opportunity is available. Please complete our Youth Volunteer Waiver form using the link in your fee payment confirmation email. This form should be completed for each child in the program, and must be completed prior to volunteering.
Teenternships (15 - 17)
Looking for a hands-on way to make a difference in the lives of shelter animals? Our Teenternship Program gives teens the chance to actively support the daily care of animals at our shelter while working closely with our experienced staff.
Teenterns assist with a variety of important tasks, including opening and closing procedures, cleaning kennels, doing laundry and dishes, feeding and watering the animals, and helping prepare the shelter for the next day. It’s a great opportunity to gain real-world experience, build responsibility, and make a direct impact.
Shifts are available seven days a week, with flexible timing based on volunteer sign-ups.
How to Apply:
1. Complete the application — Click Here--> Teenternship Application.
2. Email our Volunteer Manager — at volunteer@hinsdalehumanesociety.org with the subject line: “Teen Application Submitted”
3. Wait for next steps — once we receive your email, we’ll follow up with more information about upcoming training sessions and how to get started.
Please Note:
Due to high interest, training sessions are scheduled as needed and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We’re unable to respond to individual inquiries about future training dates.
Junior Board
Junior Board is a group of dedicated high school aged students that plans events and fundraisers for Hinsdale Humane Society, and promotes our adoptable animals and programming!
In order to be eligible, applicants must have completed 12 hours of volunteer service at HHS in any capacity (youth volunteer days, Compassionate Kids Corps, Animal Advocates Club, Events, Teenternships, etc.)
The Junior Board will meet once a month in person and once a month virtually. Active members must attend two-thirds of all the meetings as well as continue volunteering at HHS for at least two hours per month in any capacity. Active members must also participate in at least five Junior Board events throughout the year. The cost for this volunteer program is $20 per school year and can be paid at your first Board meeting.
For questions and application information please email the Humane Education Manager at humane.ed@hinsdalehumanesociety.org.
