For the safety of the animals in our care and the people who work with them, individuals must meet the following requirements to be eligible for participation in HSSV’s volunteer program.

Mental/Emotional Capabilities:

• Ability to understand, remember, and follow instructions, both written and verbal.

• Ability to work independently with minimal or no supervision, while also recognizing limitations in knowledge/abilities and knowing when to ask for help if needed.

• Ability to work with other people and take direction from a staff or volunteer supervisor.

• Basic reading and writing skills.

• Ability to problem solve.

• Ability to remain calm when faced with unexpected animal behaviors or other challenging situations.

• Ability to recognize potentially hazardous situations and respond appropriately.

Physical Capabilities:

• Ability to hear animal warning signs such as growling or hissing.

• Ability to see well enough to read written instructions, signs, and animal body language.

• Ability to communicate verbally.

Some of our volunteer positions have additional physical and mental capabilities required for that job. Volunteers will be informed of such requirements before joining those positions.

Applicants must be 18 or older to participate in HSSV’s adult volunteer programs, with the exception of our Thrift Shop.

All volunteers must attend a one-hour orientation prior to applying. These orientations are conducted on the second Saturday of every month from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the shelter at 18841 Kelleher Road. You will receive an invitation to attend as soon as you soon submit your application.

Barn Buddy Assistants help us provide fresh food, water, and bedding for our onsite colony of outdoor cats. We have a barn on campus to help protect them from predators and give them a warm, safe place to sleep. We care for these cats on site until such time as they are adopted out to a local farm, winery, brewery, or other appropriate location.

Volunteers in this position work either mornings or afternoons and it only takes about a half-hour per shift. You can work as many days a week as you’d like and are able. This is a great way to support animals in need with a minimal time commitment.

Duties: Each day prior to opening to the public, staff and volunteers clean and organize dog kennels and shelter. Volunteer duties include cleaning kennels, organizing dog food and other daily shelter items, and basic shelter housekeeping.  Volunteers should be comfortable around a noisy environment and active dogs of all sizes and breeds. Shifts are mornings between 8a and 11a every day of the week.

Qualifications: Complete a volunteer application, interview and training
One day a week shift required
Adults 18+ only
Must be able to lift 25 pounds.

Duties: Each day prior to opening to the public, staff and volunteers clean and organize cat wing, kennels and shelter. Volunteer duties include cleaning kennels and free-roaming cat rooms, organizing cat food and other daily shelter items, and basic shelter housekeeping.  Volunteers should be comfortable around a noisy environment and cats of all sizes and breeds. Shifts are mornings between 8a and 11a every day of the week.

Qualifications: Complete a volunteer application, interview and training
One day a week shift required
Adults 18+ only
Must be able to lift 25 pounds.

Laundry Attendants are an important part of our crew here at HSSV. If the laundry doesn’t get done it can really throw a wrench in our service. Duties for this position include washing, drying, and folding laundry, maintaining a steady wash load which is usually between 3 and 5 loads per day. This position requires a commitment of at least one day per week.

Available shifts are:

• 11 am-1:30 pm, 7 days a week
• 2 pm-4:30 pm, 7 days a week

Qualifications:

Volunteers for this position MUST be able to lift 25 lbs or more and be willing to work in all types of weather as our laundry facility is separated from our main facility. Moving laundry between the two buildings will be done via a golf cart in all kinds of weather.

Adults 18+ only

Duties: Volunteers in this role will assist with a variety of administrative tasks, including, but not limited to: assisting at the reception desk, answering phones, entering a wide variety of data into our Shelter Management Database, and assisting with the processing of adoptions. This position requires a commitment of at least one day per week.

Shifts available are:

• 11 am to 1:30 pm or 2 pm to 5 pm during the week
• 11 am to 1:30 pm or 2 pm to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

You may sign up for more than one shift per day if you wish.

Qualifications: Organized, efficient, keen attention to detail, good typing skills, good phone manner, excellent customer service, Adults 18+ only

Duties: We LOVE volunteer groups! Bring a group and help with HSSV projects, onsite or offsite! Consider team-building with HSSV! Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Veronica Calderon at volunteer@skagithumane.org to discuss.

Qualifications: The ability to bring your team spirit and work hard!

If you need to complete volunteer service hours for a school or work program, we’d be happy to have you volunteer with us! Contact Veronica Calderon for more details: volunteer@skagithumane.org.

HSSV may accept volunteers needing court-mandated community service hours as long as the offense is NOT theft, sexual assault or battery, domestic violence or other assault charges, or any other offense HSSV deems not suitable for volunteer positions. Note that we cannot rush you through hours, if you know you need community service by a certain time, be sure to reach out early to ensure you will be able to complete the hours in time. Our community service volunteers assist with kennel care. To apply for a Community Service Position, please visit us at 18841 Kelleher Road in Burlington to complete a CS Volunteer Application. Please do NOT use the application on this page.