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Become a HSSC Volunteer

Volunteer

If you’re passionate about animals and making a difference in the lives of little ones, you have come to the right place. As a private non-profit organization, HSSC would not exist the way it does now without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers.

Please note:

You must be at least 18 years old to apply and volunteer. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Volunteering with direct animal contact requires at least a weekly commitment.
Other volunteering opportunities require a minimum commitment of 10 hours per month.

Become a Volunteer!

There are many ways you can be involved, and we are always looking for help! Below are the steps to get started:

Step 1: Complete a Volunteer Application.

Once you are approved you will receive more details about the next steps.

Step 2: Volunteer Orientation & Registration.

Orientation and registration lasts 90 minutes and is held at the Humane Society of Summit County. A non-refundable fee of $15 is due at time of registration, which includes a t-shirt and nametag.

*If you are unable to make orientation fee payment, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator for a waiver*

Step 3: Speak with the Volunteer Coordinator.

After orientation, our Volunteer Coordinator will follow up with you to schedule role-specific trainings and get set up through our scheduling system.

Step 4: Schedule Your Training.

Specific training may be provided in group settings or on-the-job.

**Training may last between 1-2 hours.**

Step 5: Establish a Regular Schedule.

Scheduling allows us to make the most of your time here and tells us when we need more help. Animal caretakers must make a weekly commitment. Shifts are offered in 2-hour blocks with the option to schedule more.

**Some roles are more flexible, such as volunteering at events, with the Mobile Adoption Center or fostering.**

Volunteering Opportunities

Dog Care Volunteer

Job Description: As a Dog Care Volunteer, you will have the opportunity to work directly with dogs to make their stay at the shelter more comfortable and less stressful. Your duties will include assisting Animal Care staff with maintaining a clean and sanitary kennel environment by cleaning kennels, taking dogs outside to designated areas and exercising them, and assisting with laundry and dishes as assigned.

Dog Feeding Volunteers will be responsible for feeding the dogs, along with assisting kennel staff with cleaning dog dishes. Dog feeding shifts: M-F 7:30 am-9 am, and 1:30-3:00 pm. Sat-Sun 7:30am-9:00am, 1:30pm-3:00pm.

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Speak with Volunteer Coordinator, Dog Care 101 (virtual training on cleaning protocol), and Dog Care 102 (walking, kennel routine & dog behavior).

*Your first shift will be with a volunteer mentor or staff member and must be picked from the time slot given at the end of the training class. The first 30 mins are with a mentor, followed by 90 mins on your own.

Commitment: A minimum of one 2-hour shift per week.

Available volunteer shifts include: Any two-hour period between Sun-Sat 7:30 am- 7 pm. Must sign up for a shift in Volgistics prior to attending.

Dog Enrichment

Description: Assist the Behavior Team with preparing & passing out enrichment i.e. stuffing KONGS and bones.

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Dog care 101 & 102

Available Shifts: Flexible

Cat Care Volunteer

Job Description: As a Cat Care Volunteer, you will have the opportunity to work directly with cats to make their stay at the shelter more comfortable. Your duties will include assisting Animal Care staff with cleaning cat cages to ensure animals are comfortable, providing in-kennel enrichment for cats such as brushing and socializing them to reduce stress while at the shelter, and helping keep laundry and dishes moving so that there is always a clean supply of blankets and dish bowl available.

Cat Feeding Volunteers will be responsible for feeding the cats, along with assisting kennel staff with dishes. Cat feeding shifts M-F 7:30 am-9 am, 1:30-3:00 pm. Sat-Sun 8am-9:30am, 1:30pm-3:00pm.

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Speak with Volunteer Coordinator, Cat Care 101 (virtual training on cleaning protocol) and Cat Care 102 (cat behavior), Shadow a staff member on the first shift.

Commitment: A minimum of one 2-hour shift per week.

Available volunteer shifts include: Any two-hour period between Sun-Sat 7:30 am- 6:30 pm. Must sign up for a shift in Volgistics prior to attending.

Cat Enrichment

Description: Assist Behavior Team by creating, preparing, and handing out enrichment tools to shelter cats.

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Cat Care 101 & 102

Available Shifts: Flexible

Administrative Support

Job Description: As an Administrative Support Volunteer, you will help the office staff with various types of book work including making copies, addressing, and postmarking mailings, making adoption folders, sorting through donations, and other miscellaneous office duties.

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Speak with Volunteer Coordinator, On-the-job training

Commitment: Flexible

Available volunteer shifts include: Any two-hour period between 10 am-6 pm. Must sign up for a shift in Volgistics prior to attending.

Foster

Job Description: As a Foster Volunteer, you will provide a loving home environment for animals that may not be thriving in the shelter or are too young and susceptible to disease. Feed, socialize, groom, keep safe, and maintain the health of those foster animals in your home. Observe and report any problem with the animal(s) to the Foster Coordinator. Return the animal to the shelter upon request. Foster animals must be adopted through HSSC, but parents may solicit adoptive families.

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Speak with Volunteer Coordinator, and Foster Orientation

Commitment: As needed.

Available volunteer shifts include: 24 hrs./day. Fostering duration can vary depending on animal needs and your availability.

Dishes

Job description:. Making sure the dishes and toys are properly sanitized and clean. To help keep our animals happy and healthy.

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Speak with Volunteer Coordinator

Available volunteer shifts include : After feeding, dogs 11:30 am -1:30 & 4 pm -6 pm.

Cat dishes 9:30 am -10:30 am & 2:30 pm-3:30 pm Must sign up for a shift in Volgistics before attending.

Laundry

Job Description: We are doing laundry around the clock to ensure our animals have fresh bedding and that staff and volunteers have clean rags for daily tasks. Whether you`re here to focus on laundry or want to throw in loads between dog walks or cat scratches, the help is needed and appreciated!

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Speak with Volunteer Coordinator

Commitment: Flexible

Available volunteer shifts include: Any two-hour period between Sun-Sat 7:30 am- 5:30 pm Must sign up for a shift in Volgistics before attending.

Events

Job Description: Volunteers are crucial for the success of an event. As a Special Events Volunteer, you will help the event run smoothly and ensure that attendees have a wonderful experience. You can also participate in brainstorming event ideas, organizing materials, and helping with event set-up.

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Speak with Volunteer Coordinator, On-the-job training

Commitment: Flexible

Available volunteer shifts include: Varies based on event schedule. Must sign up for a shift in Volgistics before attending.

Miscellaneous Projects

Job Description: Get involved with various shelter advancement projects from lawn maintenance to repairing broken cages.

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Speak with Volunteer Coordinator

Commitment: Flexible

Available volunteer shifts include: Any two-hour period between 10am-6pm. Must sign up for a shift in Volgistics before attending.

Pet Pantry Program Volunteer

Job Description: We need volunteers to help us in this mission to ensure no member of the family goes hungry! The volunteer will assist in food transportation from donation sites to our shelter, reaching out to local pet stores for possible food donations, and portioning out food bags. Must be able to lift 50lbs.

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Speak with Volunteer Coordinator & Community Outreach Coordinator

Commitment: Flexible

Available volunteer shifts include: Shifts available daily, vary based on food pantry hours.

Happy Tails Thrift Shop

Job Description: Happy Tails volunteers organize, sort, and price donations at our thrift shop located in 1770 Merriman Valley in Akron. Have an eye for making things look beautiful on display? We could use your help!

Prerequisites: Volunteer Orientation, Speak with Volunteer Coordinator, On the job training

Commitment: Flexible

Available volunteer shifts include: Normal volunteer hours at the shop are T- Sat 10a-7p, Sunday 10a-6p, and Monday 10a-4p. These hours are subject to change.

Mobile Adoption Center (MAC) Volunteer

Job Description: Join our state-of-the-art Mobile Adoption Center to bring adoptable animals to meet community members and potential adopters where they live, work, and play. You can travel through Summit County with the MAC to find adoptable animals' forever homes. Volunteers can serve as greeters or dog handlers on the MAC. Must obtain approval before participating.

Prerequisites: MAC Greeter: Volunteer Orientation & Speak with Volunteer Coordinator

MAC dog handler: Active dog care volunteer for 6+ months

Available volunteer shifts include: Shifts vary based on the MAC event schedule.