Volunteer
Welcome to Our Volunteer Program
Thank You for Your Interest in Volunteering at West Valley Humane Society
The shelter relies on the assistance of caring, hardworking, and knowledgeable volunteers in all of our programs. Volunteers make an enormous difference in our mission to help change the lives of animals and their owners throughout the valley. There is no act too big or too small that can go towards helping the animals. Here are a few of the things that you can do to help us:
- Taking dogs into the play yard for a bathroom break, play, attention, and enrichment.
- Socializing cats on the adoption floor and in the Cat Colony Room.
- Taking pictures of dogs and cats to help keep our adoptable pets looking their best.
- Writing biographies for the website and Petfinder.
- Basic cleaning and sanitation to keep our animals healthy and comfy.
Volunteer Requirements
To become a volunteer, you should have:
- A passion for helping animals in need.
- Completed a volunteer application and liability waiver.
- Completed online shelter training (if applicable).
- Job-specific training based on your interests.
- Open communication and willingness to volunteer for an organization experiencing growth and changes.
Volunteer Application
Adult Volunteers (18+)
To start the process of volunteering, please fill out the volunteer application. Once we have your application and liability waiver signed digitally, we will start the process of training. Volunteer training is a combination of online and in-person learning to set volunteers up for success at the shelter.
Minor Volunteers (under 18)
If you’re under 18 or looking to volunteer with a minor, please have your parent or legal guardian complete the volunteer application. We value the contributions of young volunteers and offer opportunities for minors with parental or guardian support.
Important Information for Minor Volunteers
West Valley Humane Society is an excellent place for volunteers of all ages. With parental or guardian support and guidance, volunteers can make a positive impact on the life of a shelter pet.
Some important things to note for minor volunteers:
- All minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times within the building.
- Volunteer activities may be modified or limited depending on the volunteer’s age to ensure safety and suitability.
- Due to health and safety concerns, we do not allow any child under the age of 12 to interact with dogs on the adoption floor without specific permission through a designated activity.
- Minors between the ages of 16 and 18 can volunteer on-site with permission from a parent or guardian after completing the volunteer orientation.
Sample Activities Based on Age Range
Under the age of 8:
- Reading for Rescue: Read to animals at the shelter. We have some children’s books available, or you can bring your own. Learn more here: Reading for Rescue
- Making dog treats for dogs on the adoption floor.
- Create drawings, stories, or art projects about an animal available for adoption to help them find their next home.
- Hand out treats on the adoption floor with a parent for the “quiet kennel initiative.”
- Assemble enrichment activities for the dogs on the adoption floor to keep their minds engaged.
Ages 8-12:
In addition to the activities mentioned above, minors aged 8-12 can also engage in:
- Brushing and socializing with cats.
- Assisting with laundry and dishes.
Contributing to general cleaning and organization projects.
Ages 12-16:
Children between the ages of 12 and 16 can participate in any general volunteer activity under the direct supervision of their parent or guardian. Parents take full responsibility for this volunteer experience, including supervising their child at all times, moving dogs from kennels, and ensuring no children are left unsupervised.
Ages 16-18:
Volunteers aged 16 to 18 can perform all general volunteer tasks with the permission of a parent or guardian. We encourage the participation of older minors in various aspects of our volunteer program.
By volunteering with your child, you contribute to their learning and development while assisting our shelter pets. Together, we make a positive impact in our community.
Group Volunteers
To start the process of volunteering as a group, please fill out the volunteer application. This is where groups such as:
- Girl/Boy Scouts
- Volunteering with a work group
- Group community service
School Projects
To start the process of completing a school project at West Valley Humane Society, please fill out the School Projects application. This is the area to complete the form for:
- Internships
- Observation hours
- Senior Project
- School Service Hours
