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Volunteer

A Message from the Volunteer Coordinator

Thank you for your interest in the San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS) Volunteer Program! Volunteers are vital in helping us continue our mission to improve the lives of dogs and cats in our community by providing shelter, care, adoption, rescue, spay/neuter programs, and community education.

We understand your time is valuable and we appreciate that you’re thinking about spending some of it with us!

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Adult Volunteer Opportunities

The SAHS General Volunteer Program is open to individuals 18 years of age or older. Volunteers can help with our day-to-day tasks like morning cleaning, dog walking, and socialization. Volunteers can even be trained to do adoptions and help in our medical building.

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two women with dog
Group Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking to make a difference alongside friends, family, and colleagues? The SAHS is proud to offer one-time volunteer opportunities for groups! Our group volunteer opportunities are a fun and unique way to learn about the SAHS and the volunteer program.

Participating groups can select from a list of activities including Puparazzi, Barks & Crafts, and Yappy Hour.

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kitten drinking from bottle
Fostering Opportunities

To become part of our Foster Care Program all you need to do is fill out the foster application.

You must be at least 18 years of age, have a love for animals and be ready and willing to open up your heart and home to a new furry foster friend!

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group of girls holding dogs
P.A.W.S. Youth Volunteer Program

The P.A.W.S. program (Practicing Animal Welfare through Service) is a service-learning volunteer program designed for junior and senior high school students. Working and learning alongside SAHS staff and volunteers, P.A.W.S. participants will develop leadership, problem-solving, critical thinking, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. The program is perfect for students needing to earn community service hours for programs like the National Honor Society or The President’s Volunteer Service Award.

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Volunteers in 2023
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Volunteer hours
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Pets adopted in 2023
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Frequently Asked Questions

The SAHS does not offer volunteer opportunities for individuals under 16 with or without adult supervision.  However, opportunities for minors are available through our humane education program.

The SAHS charges a one-time volunteer fee of $25. This fee helps cover some of the costs associated with running a volunteer program such as volunteer management software, insurance, and supplies. The SAHS also asks volunteers to pay for their own background checks, an $18.95 fee, through our background check provider, Backgrounds Online.

Group volunteer opportunities serve as a fundraiser for the SAHS. A portion of the fee helps cover the cost associated with offering group events. The remainder goes to continuing to care for the pets in our facility.

The SAHS does not provide volunteer opportunities for adults with court-mandated community service hours.

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is a national honor offered in recognition of sustained volunteer service. Along with the ultimate honor of presidential recognition, recipients may receive a personalized certificate, an official pin, medallion or coin, and a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States. As a Certifying Organization of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the SAHS can nominate potential recipients and distribute the Award to those who meet or exceed the Award criteria.

Eligibility

Hours are measured over a 12-month period (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30) and awards are designated based on cumulative hours. The awards are offered in multiple levels and are designed to recognize each milestone of your service achievement. Levels include bronze, silver, gold and the highest honor, the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for those who contribute more than 4,000 hours of service in their lifetime.

Volunteers can access the volunteer portal anywhere they have an internet connection by going to sahumane.cervistech.com

Volunteer Testimonials

I have been volunteering at SAHS for more than 14 years. I have always felt appreciated. There is a place for everyone who wants to contribute to the mission of SAHS. If you want to brighten the lives of San Antonio area cats and dogs, join the staff and your fellow volunteers in loving all the pets whom come in and out our doors!
Barbara and a daschund
BarbaraVolunteer
Volunteering with SAHS has been a great experience. As a medical student, I try to drop by whenever I can to help walk dogs and I always leave with a smile.
Abram in medical school scrubs
AbramVolunteer
While there's plenty of doggy things to do for dog people, I'm there for the Kitty Cottage. As such, my primary job is to "socialize" the cats, basically meaning that I'm there to pet a bunch kitties. Seriously, how cool is that? The interaction with potential adopters can be rewarding too as people seeking to adopt pets are generally nice people.
Phil Volunteering
PhilVolunteer
I love volunteering at the San Antonio Humane Society. I love spending time with animals, and the shelter pets love attention. So it’s a win-win for me and for them!
a volunteer named Jessica holding a cat
JessicaVolunteer
I've been volunteering for eleven years, and I still get that warm fuzzy feeling when I see someone find the one--a pet to give a forever home. It's so satisfying knowing I've made a difference in their lives. Plus, I get to cuddle cats and kittens!
A volunteer named Caitlin holding a cat
CaitlinVolunteer
It's very empowering to be part of a purpose that's greater than yourself. Pets have a way of reaching us the way that our fellow humans sometimes can't. I'm at my happiest when I'm helping dogs and helps me be more at ease dealing with my brain cancer. To know that our efforts both help to make the lives of these beautiful animals better and support the San Antonio Humane Society mission is extremely gratifying and incredibly close to my heart.
Lucia & Damian standing at the start of a race
Damian & LuciaVolunteers
I have been a volunteer at the San Antonio Humane Society for nine years. During that time, I have seen advances and improvements made at the shelter for the treatment of sick, injured and orphaned animals. The medical clinic is truly amazing! In all areas of the Humane Society, staff and volunteers alike truly have the best interest of animals at heart.
Sonja standing with a cat
SonjaVolunteer
There are many great opportunities to volunteer at SAHS. There is something for everyone. Kitties, you got it. Dogs and puppies, no problem. Helping in medical, yes please. And everything in between. Public relations, community engagement, adoptions, making toys and so much more. The SAHS cares about their volunteers and I have found another home with them. Thank you, SAHS for all that you do for our local dogs and cats.
Kelly sitting with a cat
KellyVolunteer
I have been a volunteer at the San Antonio Humane Society for nearly 12 and a half years. It is a remarkably rewarding experience. I really love cats, so I regularly (each week) work in the cattery. I help socialize the cats, clean litter boxes, encourage potential adopters, and whatever else I can do to help... It's always a thrill when people see me socializing a cat and then show an interest in that kitty. Best of all is when they decide to adopt!
a volunteer named Linda
LindaVolunteer
I recently passed 20 years as a volunteer at SAHS. When I started, I just wanted to be around animals and feel useful. I now consider the shelter my home away from home. I’ve made wonderful friends, which include several kitties I’ve adopted over the years... I look forward to my 3 mornings a week because I know I’m making a difference. And I’m working with staff and volunteers who love animals as much as I do. It keeps me young!
a volunteer named diane
DianeVolunteer
I have really enjoyed my volunteer experiences at SAHS. Our two dogs passed away after 15 and 11 years with us and we were not ready to bring home another dog but I missed interacting with dogs. SAHS gave me the opportunity to spend time walking and playing with dogs who are waiting for their forever homes. I was also able to participate in the Christmas celebration for the dogs and helped bring them out of their kennels for a meal and pictures with Santa. Seeing the excitement in the dogs was really touching and I loved being a part of it.
StephanieVolunteer
When I retired four years ago, I knew I needed to do something to keep me busy. Volunteering at the SAHS provided that and so much more. I discovered how fulfilling it is to assist with the care of the animals, in addition to being fun. There's a feeling of community working with others that want to help these innocent animals find their forever homes. And when I see them finally get adopted, that's the icing on the cake! I'm glad to be a part of it.
a volunteer named Stacy
StacyVolunteer

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