Volunteer Program

February 2013 - HSSCM is currently accepting applications for Pet Therapy only.

Applications are available at our front desk or here.

Community Service
Individuals for the community dental program or any court-ordered community service must be 18 or older. Community service tasks will include heavy cleaning of animal areas. Individuals must be able to bend, stoop, lift and repeatedly carry up to 60 pounds, and be around animal waste and cleaning projects. Hours are seven days a week from 8:00am to noon and must be scheduled in advance.To schedule or learn more about Community Service, please call 269.963.1796, ext 10 during open business hours.

Shelter Pals (No current opportunities available - February 2013)
Our Shelter Pals work with the agency’s adoptable animals, socializing cats and walking dogs. HSSCM accepts volunteers of all ages; individuals must be 16 years or older to volunteer without a parent present. Individuals must fill out an application annually and attend an orientation prior to volunteering. Shelter Pals must commit to volunteer a minimum of four hours per month and will work a maximum of one shift per week. Shelter Pal hours are Tuesday - Friday from noon to 5:00pm and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm only. Shelter Pal hours do not count towards any school, dental or community service hours. Shelter Pals must sign up in the volunteer binder, and must sign in and out on the sheet in the break room.

School Projects/Hours
HSSCM has a limited amount of space available for students needing service hours for school, including National Honor Society. New this year, HSSCM will offer credit for school related community service through the completion of specific projects only. Students must propose their project in writing (forms available at the front desk or online at www.hs-scm.org). Acceptable projects include but are not limited to pencil sales, supply drives, landscaping and/or deep cleaning projects. Applications are available through our front desk or here.

Best Friends
Best Friends receive special training to work more closely with shelter animals and help the agency achieve our mission. Shelter Pals can express interest in becoming a Best Friend. Best Friends will pay $20 per year and receive a tshirt and extra training to work with the animals. Best Friends MUST wear a Best Friends Badge during all times at the shelter. Primary duties of HSSCM’s Best Friends include assisting Shelter and working one-on-one with shelter animals:

Dogs – basic obedience commands, socialization, bathing, trimming nails, walking

Cats – holding, brushing, trimming nails, cleaning ears, socialization, interactive play

Best Friends will work with staff members to review animal needs, and will report back on animal progress, including providing information for monthly pet sponsorship updates.

Interested individuals must have been a Shelter Pal for at least six months. Best Friends must be 18 years or older and must commit to volunteering six to eight hours per month.

Best Friends will receive one-on-one or special group training at least once per quarter on a variety of topics including animal behavior, positive training, basic cat and dog health care, identifying signs of illness, basic disease transmission, animal restraint, animal enrichment, minimizing shelter stress and more.

Other Volunteer Positions:

Clerical Volunteer: HSSCM clerical volunteers assist with administrative duties including answering phones, data entry and customer service. Clerical volunteers will experience the administrative functions necessary to maintain an effective facility. Additional duties may include stuffing envelopes, metering postage and writing postcards.
Special Events Volunteer: Volunteers assisting with special events will participate in the community awareness projects of HSSCM. Special Event volunteers will assist in mobile adoptions, public relations events, annual pencil sales and other HSSCM activities. Additional duties may include helping handle dogs/cats, dog walks and customer service.

Transporter: Transporters are often needed to transport animals to and from various events, appointments and meetings, as well as to pick-up donations. In order to transport for the HSSCM volunteers must possess a valid driver’s license as well as pass a driving record investigation.

Pet Therapy Volunteer: HSSCM often provides assistance to senior citizens through our Pet Therapy Program, which introduces some of our residents to individuals within nursing home communities. Pet Therapy Volunteers supervise animal interactions as well as engage nursing home residents in our animal welfare efforts. Individuals must be 18 or older and have reliable transportation with a satisfactory driving record. Pet Therapy Volunteers will schedule their time with partner organizations and act as the primary contact between HSSCM and the partner organization.