Volunteerwith us
What our volunteers do
- Assist with direct animal care like dog walking or cat socialization
- Volunteer at events in the community to help spread the word about AHS’ mission
- Work behind the scenes helping with laundry, special projects or in our clinic or adoption departments
For individuals needing court-ordered community service hours, check out our Community Service Restitution page.
-Interested in becoming a Foster Care Volunteer? Visit our Foster page for info
-Is your company or organization interested in volunteering? Learn More!
-Do you have children under age 14 who would like to be involved? Get started with our Youth Programming
- Pay a one-time registration fee. $35 for adults, $20 for students and seniors
- Minimum three-month commitment for two hours each week – that’s just 24 hours!
- Must be 14 years and older. All volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times while volunteering.
- Volunteers ages 16 & 17 may volunteer independently with parental consent.
- Be sure to read our essential volunteer capabilities before signing up!
I want to volunteer with
Registration
- Pay your 1-time volunteer registration fee
- Attend a virtual Welcome Orientation
- Complete registration
The Basics:
- Online Video Learning: Safety, Cat, & Dog 101
- Review Cat 102 materials
- Invitation to schedule hands-on training
Onboarding
Attend a 2-hour group training session and tour at AHS
First Shift
Select the shift of your choice and get started!
There are so many ways to get involved!
Once you create your volunteer profile, you can let us know what programs/special areas you’d like to participate in, including:
· Cat or Dog Socializing
· Assist in our Laundry Room
· Pet Photography
· Clinic & Community Cat Support
· Event & Education Support
· Adoption Support
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to volunteer?
Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age to volunteer for the Austin Humane Society. No exceptions to this policy will be made. In addition to meeting the minimum age requirement, 14 and 15-year old volunteers must have a parent or guardian over the age of 21 train and volunteer with them at all times. 16 and 17-year old volunteers only need parental consent, which is given during the online application process. If you have kids under 14, please check out our Humane Heroes page for ways to get them involved!
Does the Austin Humane Society have volunteer opportunities for groups?
Yes! We offer group volunteer activities for youth and adults. Through our Service Day program, we can accommodate groups up to 20 volunteers per session. Learn more by clicking here, or for youth Service Opportunities, click here.
Why do you charge a fee for volunteering?
We have a very large volunteer program that requires resources to coordinate. By charging for volunteer orientation, we can offset these costs and ensure that more of our resources can go directly to the care of the animals. The fee is paid at orientation and can be paid with cash or credit.
Is there a dress code for volunteers?
We ask that our volunteers wear long pants, close-toed shoes, and t-shirts with sleeves. We do not permit volunteers to wear shorts, flip flops, tank tops, or bare mid-riff shirts. If you are dressed inappropriately, you may be asked to leave.
Do I have to volunteer a certain number of hours?
We require our volunteers to make a commitment of 2 hours per week for at least three months. This ensures that the volunteers have a good understanding of the shelter’s policy and procedures and also ensures the well-being of the shelter animals through consistent care. The two hours may be split in to two separate one-hour shifts if necessary to fit your schedule.
When can I volunteer?
The shelter is open to its volunteers from 8am to 7pm Monday through Saturday and 8am to 5pm on Sunday. These hours are not the adoption hours for the public, but are solely for the convenience of the volunteers. We open to the public at noon every day for adoptions!
Are there other volunteer opportunities around town?
Yes, AHS has many events for you to participate in throughout the community. Email events@austinhumanesociety.org to learn how to get involved.
Can I join multiple volunteer programs (Cat, Dog, and Foster Care)?
We recommend that you pick one group and get familiar with the duties involved before adding on additional training. However, you can go through different training classes in later months with no additional charge.
Do you have a program for court-ordered community service hours?
Please click here to read more about our Community Service Restitution (CSR) program
My company wants to volunteer as a group, how can we set this up?
We can accommodate groups of up to 20 people. Please click here to learn more and arrange your visit.
