When can I volunteer? Once you have completed your volunteer application and have attended an orientation class, you can begin volunteering right away! Volunteers are welcome at the shelter during the following hours:
Monday-Saturday from 8am-6pm
Sundays from 8am-5pm
Do I have to attend an orientation class? Yes, all prospective volunteers must attend an orientation class in order to work with animals at our facility. During orientation class, those interested in volunteering will learn the policies and procedures each volunteer must follow, including but not limited to: required sanitation, animal behavior and proper handling, facility requirements, and more!
What do volunteers do at the shelter? We could not sustain our No-Kill mission without the support of volunteers like you! Our volunteers help with almost every aspect of running the shelter. When you first start, you will be a part of our Enrichment Team and Facilities Team which are responsible for keeping our animals happy and healthy. Tasks include walks, play time, and assisting with much needed sanitation duties, such as kennel laundry and kennel dishes. As volunteers grow, they unlock new achievements and level up! Advanced volunteers assist with administrative duties, adoption events, maintenance needs, and more!
What time commitment is required of volunteers? We ask that volunteers come as often as your schedule will allow! There is no set time commitment required, but you may have to go through orientation again if you have not volunteered within the last 3-6 months. This ensures that every Humane Society of Southwest Missouri volunteer is up-to-date on shelter policies and procedures that may have changed since their last visit. The safety and security of our volunteers and animals is our most important concern.
Can I wear shorts or flip flops while volunteering at the shelter? For your safety, volunteers must wear long pants and closed-toed shoes at all times while volunteering. A Humane Society volunteer T-shirt, which can be purchased for $15, is optional and available after you've completed your orientation class.
I have a group of friends/co-workers who want to help. Can we set up a group volunteer day? Yes! Please see ourGroup Volunteering page.
What if I only want to fulfill community service hours I need? If you are needing community service hours for work, school, or for a scholarship, we have a program for you! Our Short Term Service Program (STSP) is geared specifically for volunteers who need service hours within their community. STSP volunteers meet individually with our volunteer coordinator to learn the layout and needs of the facility and complete their service hours on our Facilities Team. These volunteers are not required to attend an orientation class, and therefore, are not able to handle or interact with the animals. STSP volunteers solely support the health of the animals by ensuring a clean facility.
If you need community service that is court-appointed, requested by your lawyer, or for any legal reason, you must be assigned to our facility through the Community Alternative Sentencing Program (CASP). Please contact CASP directly for more information. How do I sign up for volunteer shifts? While you can come in at any time to volunteer without notice, you can sign up for shifts through our online scheduling tool. This becomes available to you after you’ve attended orientation and allows you to see when and where we need help in the shelter on any given day! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at [email protected].
