Dane County Humane Society encourages the participation of volunteers who support our mission: “Helping People Help Animals” and the following core values:

• Together we hold central the welfare and care of animals
• Together we are compassionate and empathetic in every decision and interaction
• Together we are fiscally responsible and accountable
• Together we commit to honesty and integrity
• Together we stand behind our work
• Together we embrace constructive change
• Together we lead by example and with excellence

We know you want to give your time doing something that is rewarding and meaningful while contributing to the care of homeless animals. There are a number of ways to get involved that require different time commitments, schedules, and focus. We look forward to working with you to find a volunteer role that matches your skills, interests, and schedule to our shelter's needs so that you can make a big difference in the lives of animals in need.

We are currently recruiting for the following volunteer positions:

• Event Volunteers

• Reception Assistants

• Satellite Adoption Center Assistants (East side and West side location)

• Microchip Clinic Assistants

• Canine Companions

• Critter Cuddlers (Morning shift availability highly desired)

• Feline Friends (Morning shift availability highly desired)

• Admitting Assistants

• Building Maintenance & Grounds Assistants

• Foster Program Assistants

• Spay Day Data Entry Assistants

• Development Administrative Assistants

• Animal Medical Services Ringworm Annex Assistants

• Lunch Assistants

• Surgery & Recovery Assistants

• Education Assistants

• Merit Badge Counselor

• Birthday Party Assistants

• Classroom Animal Assistants

• Head Wildlife Caretakers

• Wildlife Caretakers

• Foster Wildlife Caretakers

GETTING STARTED

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

VOLUNTEER HOURS

Getting Started

Step 1: Submit a VOLUNTEER APPLICATION.

Please review and consider the many volunteer opportunities that are available. Complete a volunteer application, and mail, fax or drop it off at DCHS. We’ll then compare your application with our available volunteer opportunities and if we find that your application matches our needs, we will invite you to a Volunteer Orientation. If a match is not made, we’ll ask that you continue to review our website and reapply when our volunteer needs have changed. 

 

Download Volunteer Application

 

Step 2: Attend a VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION for new volunteers.

At an orientation, you will be taken on a tour of the shelter to get an inside’s look into the many efforts that go into animal care at Dane County Humane Society. You’ll also learn more about our programs and policies so you can start your volunteer work equipped with the information you need to successfully contribute to our mission.

 

Step 3: Attend TRAINING for your volunteer position.

You will meet with a designated staff member or volunteer who will train you in your new role and finalize your volunteer schedule.

 

After these three steps are completed, you’re ready to volunteer! Please be aware that this process can last well over a month, so we appreciate your patience and hope that your commitment to volunteering remains strong. Thank you for your interest in becoming part of our volunteer team!

Volunteer Positions

The following is a complete list of volunteer positions offered at Dane County Humane Society. Although we do not actively recruit for every position we look forward to working with you to find the volunteer position that’s just right for you!

Click on the headings below for position descriptions.

Power to the People!

The Humane Society can only fulfill its mission by working together and building relationships with the people of Dane County. If you'd like to “help people help animals” in our shelter and throughout our community, consider one of these positions:

• Event Volunteer
• Reception Assistant

Bringing People and Animals Together

There’s a certain magic when people connect with animals in need. If you like working with people but also want to get involved with the animals in a hands-on way, consider one of the following ways you can help people and animals come together:

• Adoption Center Assistant
• Satellite Adoption Center Assistant
• Micro Chip Assistant

 Animal Care and Comfort

The 7,000 animals that come to Dane County Humane Society in a single year depend on the loving care they receive from staff and volunteers. If you would like to work directly with the animals, consider one of these opportunities to help ensure their health and wellbeing:

• Animal Medical Services (AMS) Assistant
• Animal Medical Services (AMS) Exam Afternoon Assistant
• Animal Medical Services (AMS) Ringworm Annex Assistant
• Bathers & Groomers
• Canine Behavior Team Assistant
• Canine Companion
• Critter Cuddler
• Feline Friend
• Companion Animal Foster Parent

Behind the Scenes

There’s plenty of work to be done behind the scenes, helping staff make sure that everything runs smoothly and our animals get the best care! If you’re looking to stay out of the limelight and make a contribution where it’s often needed the most, consider one of these opportunities:

• Admitting Assistant
• Building Maintenance & Grounds Assistant
• Foster Program Assistant
• Photography Assistant
• Spay Day Data Entry Assistant
• Development Administrative Assistant

Saturday Spay & Neuter Clinics

• Lunch Assistant
• Surgery & Recovery Assistant
• Saturday Spay Day Intake Assistant

Humane Education

Dane County Humane Society prides itself in its mission of  “Helping People Help Animals.” If you are interested in instilling humanitarian ethics within our community consider volunteering in one of the following programs where you can educate people of all ages and interests:

• Birthday Party Assistant
• Classroom Animal Assistant
• Club Whiskers Spring Break Camp Assistant
• Education Assistant
• Merit Badge Counselor

Four Lake Wildlife Center

• Wildlife Caretaker
• Head Wildlife Caretaker
• Wildlife Foster Home

Volunteer Hours

Dane County Humane Society main shelter is open for volunteers during the following times:

	2009-2010
Monday	8:00am - 7:00pm
Tuesday	8:00am - 7:00pm
Wednesday	8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday	8:00am - 7:00pm
Friday	8:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday	8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday	8:00am - 5:00pm