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.
Before registering for an orientation, please review the following information to ensure our program is the right fit for you.
- SAHS Volunteering & Covid-19
- Volunteer Capabilities Overview
- Volunteer Handbook
We understand your time is valuable and we appreciate that you’re thinking about spending some of it with us!
About Our Programs
SAHS General Volunteer Program
The SAHS General Volunteer Program offers individuals a variety of volunteer opportunities. Examples include:
Adoption Team:
Adoption Team Volunteers provide direct support to our Adoption Staff by helping with general administrative tasks like answering and returning phone calls, responding to emails, greeting guests, and scanning or filing paperwork. Volunteers can also assist the Adoption Staff at adoption events on and off-campus. Volunteers can even train to become Volunteer Adoption Counselors.
Animal Behavior & Enrichment Team:
Animal Behavior Team volunteers get the opportunity to work directly with our pets and our Animal Behavior Evaluator/Trainer. Volunteers will help ensure daily animal enrichment is provided to all pets in the form of daily walks, socialization, playgroups, and enrichment treats/activities.
Animal Care Team:
Animal Care Team Volunteers assist the Animal Care staff with the daily care, cleaning, and feeding, of our shelter pets. Don’t worry, volunteers also get to spend some quality time with the pets once the cleaning is done!
Animal Health Team:
Volunteers in the Animal Health Team help our Medical Staff with the daily care, cleaning, and feeding of pets that are not yet ready for adoption. These could be pets that have just come into the shelter or pets that are receiving medical care for illnesses or injuries. Volunteers can also assist the staff with general administrative duties like scanning and filing paperwork or data entry. If you are interested in earning hours and gaining experience to use on an application to a veterinary technology program, like the Palo Alto Vet Tech Program, this is the team to join!
Community Outreach Team:
Community Outreach Volunteers work directly with the Volunteer Coordinator to engage the community. Volunteers can learn how to set up and manage information booths, Volunteer for a Day programs, campus tours, and assist with general administrative tasks.
Development & Donor Relations Team:
Development & Donor Relations volunteers work directly with our Development & Donor Relations staff to ensure all of our donors receive the personalized thanks they deserve. Volunteers help our staff make thank you calls and help us fold, stamp, and mail thank you letters to our donors. Volunteers also help the staff at special events like our annual Friends for Life Luncheon!
Humane Education Team:
Education is an essential part of our mission at the SAHS. Education Team volunteers will work side by side with our Certified Humane Education Specialists by assisting with Camp Humane, the Tales for Tails reading program, and helping lead campus tours.
Public Relations Team:
Breaking Mews! Our Public Relations Team needs support with media appearances, paparazzi (photography/videography), and graphic design. Help our pets look purr-ty through our dif-fur-ent creative outlets with PR!
Program Requirements
Individuals must be a minimum of 16 years of age to be accepted into the SAHS General Volunteer Program.
Individuals between the ages of 16 and 17 will be required to have their parents sign volunteer release forms.
Applicants 18 years and older will be required to complete a background check.
- If you have concerns about your ability to pass a background check please contact volunteer@sahumane.org.
- The fee for this service is $15.50 and is paid directly to the background check company.
Individuals are asked to be able to volunteer a minimum of two shifts per month to remain active.
Volunteers must be able to register for shifts a minimum of 24 hours in advance. No drop-in volunteering is allowed.
How to get started
- Register for a Volunteer Orientation
- Space is limited. We hold three orientations per month with a maximum of 25 individuals per orientation.
- Individuals are required to pay a $15 fee when registering to reserve their seats. This fee helps the SAHS offset the cost of volunteer software, insurance, and supplies. (This is a separate fee from the $15.50 background check fee)
- An account must be created and a ticket must be purchased individually for each person attending orientation.
- Check your inbox for a confirmation email from the Volunteer Coordinator. This email will contain the links you’ll need to:
- Update your volunteer profile in GivePulse
- Submit your background check (18+)
Upcoming General Volunteer Orientations
Dates for next month's orientations will be released after all orientations for the current month have passed. If none of the current dates work for you, please check back then.
Court Mandated Community Service
Court-Mandated volunteer applications are approved on a case-by-case basis by the Volunteer Coordinator. Individuals volunteering at the San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS) for court-appointed hours are considered temporary volunteers and will have no animal interaction while volunteering. Court-ordered community service volunteers will be assisting SAHS staff members with different tasks such as cleaning kennels, spraying yards, wiping down windows, and any other related assignments.
Requirements
Court Mandated Community Service hours are available at the SAHS for individuals needing to complete hours for minor traffic violations only.
Individuals must be a minimum of 16 years of age to be accepted.
Individuals between the ages of 16 and 17 will be required to have their parents sign volunteer release forms.
Applicants 18 years and older will be required to complete a background check.
- If you have concerns about your ability to pass a background check please contact volunteer@sahumane.org.
- The fee for this service is $15.50 and is paid directly to the background check company.
How to get started
- Email volunteer@sahumane.org with the following information. Emails that do not contain all of the requested information will not receive a reply.
a. Full Name
b. Age
c. What you were charged with
d. Number of hours needed
e. Date by which the hours need to be completed
- Check your inbox for an email from the Volunteer Coordinator. This email will let you know if your application was approved or denied. If approved, the email will contain the links you’ll need to:
a. Pay your volunteer fee
b. Set up your volunteer profile in GivePulse
c. Submit your background check (18+)
d. Submit your parent/guardian release forms
e. Register for a campus walkthrough
Volunteer for a Day: Work/Corporate Groups - Currently on hold due to Covid-19
One-time volunteer opportunities are a great way to expose your group to the shelter and the volunteer program. The SAHS can provide tailored volunteer experiences which best match your group and the current need of the SAHS. All Volunteer for a Day program participants will receive a SAHS Volunteer Day shirt and a group photo with one of our shelter pets.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Groups must consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 30 participants. Volunteer for a Day programs run an average of three hours.
The fee for this program is as follows:
- $200 for up to 10 participants
- $400 for up to 20 participants
- $600 for up to 30 participants
For more information about the Volunteer for a Day program, please email volunteer@SAhumane.org.
President’s Volunteer Service Award
The San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS) is proud to announce the availability of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a prestigious national honor offered in recognition of volunteer commitment. Established in 2003, this award is given by the President of the United States and honors individuals who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service over the course of 12 months. 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.
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.
