Volunteer
Be a Hero. Volunteer.
The Humane Society of Greater Dayton offers 
flexible opportunities
designed to fit into anyone’s schedule. Often, you can determine the hours you work and in what capacity. No matter what you skill set ─ whether you desire hands-on activities with our pets, prefer to provide clerical support, or assist with our events and education programs in the community, there is a place for you. Want to learn more? Scroll down or check out our Frequently Asked Question section. Membership in the Humane Society of Greater Dayton at the volunteer level of $10 annually is a requirement for members of our volunteer team. We ask volunteers to be members to show that they are invested in our organization and committed to our cause.
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
On average, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton cares for 4, 500 animals each year. You can be a part of this team dedicated to ensuring every animal is loved and finds it’s forever home. We are the only area shelter that takes in all animals, meaning our impact extends beyond dogs and cats. We also help rabbits, ferrets and other pets move from homelessness to being a loved member of the family.We are always in need of new volunteers to assist us in caring for Dayton’s animals; however volunteering at the Humane Society of Greater Dayton can be an emotional experience which requires a strong commitment. While we do have a large number of people who go through our Orientation and Training process, not everyone will be able to continue volunteering with us. Some may not be able to commit the necessary time while others may decide that they are unable to deal with emotions that come from spending time with animals that have been abused, neglected, and abandoned. For more on what it takes to be a Humane Society of Greater Dayton volunteer please read through the physical, emotional, mental and supervision requirements for each volunteer opportunity.
Call the Humane Society at (937) 268-7387 or email our Volunteer Coordinator to get signed up today!
Steps to volunteer:
Step #1 – Open House (approximately 1 hour): Sign up and attend an open house. All open houses are held at the Humane Society of Greater Dayton shelter at 1661 Nicholas Road. At orientation we will discuss the history of the Humane Society, as well as the various volunteer opportunities we currently have available. You must be at least 10 years old to attend. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult for the open house. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult each time they come to volunteer.
Step #2 – Training (approximately 2 hours): During HSGD Training, we will review the policies and procedures of volunteering as well as learn more about animal behavior. This training is required to become a volunteer. Some of this training may be available online at www.4act.com. At the end of the training, you’ll need to pass the quizzes with 85% +.
Step #3 – Hands-on Training with a Mentor (approximately 2 hours): To help make your introduction into the world of the Humane Society of Humane Society of Greater Dayton a smooth one, you will complete mentoring sessions with another volunteer or staff person in your area. Mentors will cover basics of volunteering and working with a particular animal. You will receive information on how to sign up for these sessions at HSGD Training.
Step #4 ─ Additional Training and Practice (at least 1 hour): Certain volunteer opportunities require additional training classes are completed or additional practice be completed with a mentor. These include Office Assistant, Foster Parent, Education Assistant, Meowza Cat Botique Team, Offsite Transporter and Offsite Event Assistant. Information regarding the additional training will be discussed at Volunteer Orientation.
Step #5 ─ Become an Official Volunteer (approx. 30 min): When you have completed your training, you are ready to meet with Caitlin to discuss making you Official.
Already a volunteer?
Click here to login to the volunteer center
What Do Volunteers Do? Everything!
Click here for a full list volunteer opportunities
Animal Lover Extraordinaire
The Humane Society shelter can house 68 cats and 36 dogs and various other critters at full capacity. Volunteers are needed on a daily basis to exercise, bathe, groom, feed and socialize animals to prepare them for their forever home.
Pet Therapist
Volunteers manage pet visits to nursing homes and hospitals, helping to socialize our animals and make someone else’s day a little bit brighter!
Education OutreachVolunteers serve as a community speaker in the schools and day care centers teaching children about the Humane Society and proper pet care, bite prevention and other important topics pertaining to animals.
Click here to visit our humane education site
Offsite Event Team
The Humane Society participates in over 50 events over the course of the year from adopt-a-thons to fundraisers to parades and festivals. Volunteers help by handling animals and speaking to the public about the Humane Society.
Click here to see a list of upcoming events
Becoming A Foster . . . a Unique Volunteer Opportunity
The Humane Society is always looking for foster families. Typically, families foster animals who aren’t ready for adoption – either due to age, illness or injury. For kittens and puppies too young to be spayed or neutered, foster families take them into their homes and provide a loving environment until they are old enough for surgery and adoption. And, for animals who came to the Humane Society with injuries, foster families provide a needed safe environment while they recover and become well enough for adoption. Foster families are also needed to provide a transitional home for animals when space is no longer available at the main shelter. To learn more about becoming a foster, contact the Humane Society at 937.268.PETS.
Friends of the Humane Society
Do you love to bake? Then Friends of the Humane Society may be for you. This unique group of volunteers at the Humane Society bakes over 80 varieties of gourmet dog and cat treats such as Poodle Puffs, Alley Cat Appetizers, Golden’s Goodies, Hound Dog Honey Bears, Weimaraner Waffles and much, much more! These treats are made by volunteers and sold at the Animal Snackers Bakery, which is also staffed by volunteers. To learn more about this innovative group, visit their website at http://www.friendsofthehsgd.net/
Volunteer Newsletters
Our volunteer newsletters are online. Click below to read the latest.
Volunteer Newsletter First Quarter 2009
Volunteer Newsletter Fourth Quarter 2008
Volunteer Newsletter Third Quarter 2008
Volunteer Newsletter Second Quarter 2008
Volunteer Newsletter First Quarter 2008
