Volunteer
Volunteer at TCHS
Volunteers are essential to everything we do!
Shelter volunteers provide hands-on care including exercising and socializing the animals while they wait for their new homes. In addition, volunteers assist with customer service, kennel cleaning, and general housekeeping. We could not save the lives we do without volunteers!
Other volunteer opportunities include dog walking, surgery assisting, animal photography, office work/data entry, For Pets' Sake Thrift shifts, yardwork, building maintenance, fundraising events, humane education, and committee work.
If you have a special skill or trade that you feel may be beneficial to our shelter, please share it with us. Wherever your talents lie, TCHS welcomes you!
Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older to volunteer alone, or as young as 10 years of age to volunteer alongside an adult. An adult's application MUST be submitted with the youth's application.
Co-Volunteer Policy
The following is required for volunteers aged 10-14, or those who require an adult (18 years or older) guardian or staff to accompany them (i.e. group home staff), with the understanding that both individuals will be considered TCHS volunteers:
1. Both individuals (the youth or adult requiring supervision and the guardian or staff accompanying them) must complete a volunteer application form.
2. Both individuals must attend orientation and training.
3. Both individuals must actively participate in volunteer tasks.
4. If multiple parents or staff are accompanying the youth or adult needing supervision, all parents and staff must follow each of the above steps.
Common Volunteer Needs
Service Learning Program
This type of volunteer service is used when someone is looking for a short-term volunteer opportunity. It is often used when students are looking for credits for a class or extracurricular program, or for church confirmation hours. Due to a shortened training process, these volunteers do not work directly with shelter animals. Individuals or groups may be eligible for this program depending on their goals and the needs of the shelter. For information on service learning, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator; filling out an application may result in a delayed start of service.
Community Service Program
TCHS accepts court-ordered community service workers ages 14 and older. However, there are specific rules and guidelines for this type of service. Community service volunteers do not work directly with the animals. For information on community service, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator; filling out an application may result in a delayed start of service.
If these opportunities do not fit your goals and/or availability, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information:
Olivia Schomer, TCHS Volunteer Coordinator, can be reached at (320) 371-0736, or volunteer@tricountyhumanesociety.org.
Volunteer Application
Background checks:
A background check is performed on each applicant. Existence of a criminal record is not an automatic disqualification. By selecting "Apply" in the above online form, you are granting Tri-County Humane Society permission to do this.
A note to parents of young volunteers:
Parents need to be aware there is limited supervision of volunteers available at the shelter. Friends and relatives of volunteers, while they are more than welcome to visit, are NOT permitted to accompany volunteers unless they have completed the complete volunteer training process. Also, any volunteer younger than 14 is expected to be supervised by the adult volunteer.
Volunteer FAQs
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