The minimum age to volunteer at DCHS is 8 years old and any volunteer under the age of 18 needs parent or guardian permission to volunteer at the shelter.
Due to the popularity of our youth volunteer program, shifts available to volunteers aged 8-17 are frequently filled.
Learn more about youth volunteer positions and current openings
Regretfully, we do not have the resources to maintain an application waitlist. Scroll down the page to check out all of the other ways youth can help our animal friends!
Youth Volunteer Requirements
- Youth ages 8 to 12 must volunteer with a parent or guardian; youth ages 13 to 17 may also team up with an adult. The adult/youth team must stay together while volunteering.
- Youth ages 13 to 17 may volunteer solo, opportunities are limited.
- There is no direct supervision of youth volunteers so youth volunteering on their own must be able to work independently
- Most of our volunteer positions require a weekly 2-3 hour commitment for a minimum of six months.
- If requested, DCHS will provide a letter of completion for school community service time earned after the minimum commitment of six months has been completed.
Youth Volunteer Hours
Youth volunteers ages 8 to 17 do not have any restrictions for when they may volunteer. Hours vary by location, volunteer shifts may be between 8am and 7pm.
Additional Youth Opportunities at Dane County Humane Society
There is a wide variety of additional opportunities available for youth who are not able to make a commitment to volunteer for two hour shifts for six months.
Projects
Are you interested in creating a project to help animals of Dane County Humane Society? If so, we’d love your help!