Thank you for your interest in becoming a Humane Society of Southwest Missouri volunteer. We cannot do our life-saving work without help from YOU! All volunteers begin their volunteer journey by completing a volunteer application and attending a short orientation class to learn more about volunteering, our safety procedures, and receive a tour of the shelter. Once this is complete, you are free to come and go during our volunteer hours as you please. Our volunteer program is very individualized and does not require a set amount of hours per month. We understand life gets busy, and we are grateful for any time you are able to spend volunteering!
To start, sign up to volunteer through the button below. Once your volunteer application is complete, our volunteer coordinator will share upcoming orientation dates with you. Once orientation is complete, you are able to start volunteering. Learn more about different volunteer opportunities below!
Are you under the age of 18 or have children who are? Visit our Junior Volunteer page to learn more about our junior volunteer programs.
Adoption/Front Desk Team: Do you like helping people? The adoption/front desk team is a great option for volunteers with great communication and customer service skills.
In-shelter Adoption Advocates: If you enjoy interacting with people, filing, data entry, and answering phones, then customer service is for you! Learn about paperwork and lifestyle counseling to assist customers in the kennels at our facility
Off-site Adoption Advocates: Advocate for your animal in their search for their forever home at PetSmart and other off-site locations where we have adoption events!
Kennel Team: Are you an early riser? If so, helping kennel techs in the morning could be for you! This is a great option for those who like using a little elbow grease and who have a passion for ensuring the health of our animals.
Kennel Assistant: Volunteers with morning availability can learn kennel sanitation procedures and assist our kennel technicians with daily sanitation and feeding duties
ISO Assistant: Volunteers who desire to help with our ill and recovering animals can be trained to work in our separate isolation building on-site. Volunteer duties consist of facility needs, light enrichment with fearful animals, feeding, and general staff support
Transport Team: Do you like to drive and are at least 25 years of age? Volunteers can get approved to drive the Humane Society van to off-site events (PetSmart, special events, etc.). Must have a clean driving record to be approved.
Transports can be local, such as to veterinary appointments in the Springfield and metro area. Transports can occasionally be regional, such as trips to surrounding cities or states to pick up pets in need and bring them to our facility
Maintenance Team: Are you good at fixing things? Volunteers with experience in handyman services and grounds maintenance are always needed.
Grounds Maintenance: Take on exterior projects such as limb and rock removal, yard cleanup, landscape care, tree trimming, and more!
Facility Maintenance: Volunteers with the appropriate skills assist with facility needs such as filter replacement & air return cleaning, light bulb replacement, and other such repairs as they arise
Clinic Assistant: Do you want to gain knowledge in a vet atmosphere? Volunteers 18 years or older can get hands-on experience by supporting the clinic staff in their daily tasks!
Photography/Videography Assistant: Do you like taking pictures and videos?Our shelter team always needs help capturing cute moments of our fur-babies for marketing purposes!
Volunteers in Programs for Developmental Disabilities We currently work with The Arc of the Ozarks, Footsteps, First Steps, and Abilities First. We are not limited to these agencies and would love to hear from you if you are with another program. The individual and their program staff member must both submit an application, both attend an orientation class, and the individual must be accompanied by their staff member at all times while volunteering.
