Volunteer Today!

Welcome to the HSWA volunteer center. Are you interested in making a difference in the community? Join our volunteer program today!

Get Started

Returning Volunteers

If you are a current/returning volunteer or have any specific questions you can contact the volunteer coordinator at volunteering@hwsa.org .

Cat Volunteers

This position is vital to our everyday operations! Our cat side volunteers help to provide clean environments for the many cats and kittens that come through our facility every year!

Our most common cat side volunteer tasks

Laundry
Dishes
Cat kennel/room cleaning
Enrichment activities
Socialization

Dog Volunteers

Are you a dog lover? Join our team of dog volunteers and help make a difference in the lives of shelter dogs!
Our most common dog side volunteer tasks
Laundry
Dishes
Cleaning Kennels
Enrichment activities
Socialization
Dog Walking

Doggy Day Trips

Take a shelter dog on a walk, adventure or car ride! It allows for our dogs to get out of the shelter to destress. Our staff will match you with a dog that fits what activity you are looking to do that day! You can take photos for us to share on social media to help get the dog adopted.

How to get involved:

There are just a few small steps to take in order to start volunteering with us!

Please be sure to submit a Volunteer Application, and the Volunteer Agreement and Waiver Form.

Once all forms have been either submitted in person at the facility or emailed to our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@hswa.org, your application will be reviewed.

Once approved you will be invited to attend one of our volunteer orientations!

Your application will be denied if:

You are under the age of 13
If you’re between the ages 13 -and 15 and you do not have a parent/guardian’s application submitted as well to accompany you on your shifts
If any information on the application is skipped
You have been convicted of a crime involving animal cruelty, arson, theft, or domestic assault
You have been previously dismissed from volunteer duties with HSWA

*At HSWA we have specific guidelines for community service requests. Depending on the situation not all applications can be approved. Requests may be declined depending on the situation. For more information regarding this, please email us at volunteering@hswa.org

Application

Pocket Pet/Small Animal Volunteer

Looking for a fun and rewarding way to make a difference? Volunteering with small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and mice is a rewarding experience where you can make a big impact on their well-being! You’ll get hands-on experience cleaning, creating enriching environments, and bonding with these sweet pets, helping them thrive as they await their forever homes.

General Volunteering

Event Volunteers

From exciting events we host to the ones we attend, there's always something fun to get involved with throughout the year. Join us and be part of the pawsitive change. Interested in helping come up with fundraising ideas or planning events. Don’t be afraid to reach out. We have opportunities for everyone.

Administrative Team

As an admin volunteer, you'll assist with tasks like mailings, filing, phone calls, and data entry. You’ll also help with adoption paperwork, ensuring pets transition to their forever homes seamlessly, while making every guest feel welcome. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how shelters operate and make a real difference in the lives of animals and the people who adopt them.