Why Volunteer?
People volunteer for many different reasons—some want to learn new skills, some hope to gain hands-on experience working with animals, and others simply enjoy spending time with animals and like-minded people. What all of our volunteers share is a genuine love for animals and a desire to help them thrive.
The Scott County Humane Society is 100% volunteer-run. Our volunteers make our lifesaving work possible, and we truly could not do this without them.
Volunteer Requirements
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Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to work onsite at the Scott County Humane Society.
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Volunteers are asked to commit to an average of 4 hours per month for a minimum of 4 months.
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If you are under 16, please scroll down to learn about enrichment activities you can complete to support our animals.
Volunteer Opportunities
We offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities—from hands-on animal care to behind-the-scenes support roles. Many of our fundraising and adoption events also rely heavily on volunteers in a variety of positions.
Once you apply, you become part of a dedicated animal rescue organization with a proven record of saving lives. If you have a skill or volunteer idea not listed below, we’d love to hear from you!
Adoption Center Assistant (Requires Special Training)
Assist office staff with phone calls, letters, vouchers, the pet food bank, adoptions, and small projects.
Shifts: Monday–Friday, 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Adoption Center Cleaning (Requires Special Training)
Help staff with habitat cleaning, feeding, and daily care of companion animals.
Shifts:
Foster Care
Provide temporary, loving homes for cats, kittens, dogs, or puppies who are not yet ready for adoption due to age or medical needs. Foster placements may be short-term (2–4 weeks) or long-term (1–2 months or longer).
SCHS provides all supplies, including food, litter, collars, leashes, and preventatives. All you provide is a safe home and care. Foster volunteers receive ongoing support from our dog and cat program coordinators. This role is vital to saving more lives.
Fundraising Events
Assist with special fundraising events throughout the year, including our signature annual events and smaller community promotions.
Handyman Skills
Help with basic maintenance and repair projects at the Adoption Center.
Adoption Events
Support adoption counselors during off-site adoption events by assisting with animal handling, visitor safety, and adoption facilitation. Volunteers may also socialize animals when adoptions are not in progress.
Events are typically held on Saturdays but may occur on other days.
Computer / IT Skills
Use your technical skills to assist with data entry, documents, spreadsheets, presentations, or other computer-based tasks.
Fundraising & Development (Requires Special Training)
Work with the Development Committee to support donor outreach and help build long-term financial resources for SCHS.
Photography & Media
Help photograph adoptable pets for our rescue listings and assist with event photography. Media volunteers may also help grow our social media presence, increasing visibility and adoption opportunities for our animals.
How to Get Started
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Review our Volunteer Policies and Procedures
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Submit the appropriate volunteer application:
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18 years or older: Submit an online volunteer application - Click here
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Ages 16–18: Submit an online volunteer application (must be completed by a parent or guardian) - Click here
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Under 16: Participate through our Animal Enrichment Program – Click here
Due to the high volume of volunteer inquiries, please allow up to two weeks for us to contact you by phone or email.
