A Message from the Volunteer Supervisor
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 are currently in the process of updating our volunteer programs. Below is a list of our programs and the expected dates they will open.
- General Volunteer Program (18+ yrs): February 2023
- Court-Mandated Community Service Program (18+ yrs): February 2023
- Veterinary Technician Volunteer Program (18+yrs): March 2023
- Youth Volunteer Program (16 & 17 yrs): May 2023
- Youth in need of service hours prior to the youth volunteer program opening can earn hours by participating in the Shelter Helpers Service Club.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make these updates. Please continue to check our website for the most up-to-date information. We understand your time is valuable and we appreciate that you’re thinking about spending some of it with us!
About Our Programs
Before registering for an orientation, please review the following information to ensure our program is the right fit for you.
- Volunteer Handbook
Volunteer Capabilities Overview
The SAHS is an independent non-profit organization relying on the generosity and commitment of volunteers. The role of volunteers is to assist the staff in completing daily operational tasks to fulfill the mission and vision of the SAHS. To this end, volunteers of any capacity are expected to safely and efficiently perform any and all necessary tasks related to their assignment. The SAHS is all-inclusive and we are dedicated to respecting and accepting the differences of all individuals. With that said, the safety of all individuals and pets within our organization remains our highest priority. The SAHS will consider accommodation requests and will provide reasonable accommodations when possible to enable persons with disabilities to volunteer; however, we reserve the right to restrict or release volunteers according to safety and organizational necessity.
The SAHS does not have the space or resources to provide a therapeutic experience for the sole benefit of a volunteer. Volunteers provide safe operational support to staff by caring for pets until they get adopted. Therefore, we cannot accommodate job coach/client pairs seeking primarily an animal therapy experience. Staff are unable to create projects solely for the benefit of the volunteer.
Please consider the following minimum volunteer capabilities:
- Physical Capabilities
- Cognitive Capabilities
Individuals unable to meet the minimum volunteer capabilities outlined above may still volunteer if accompanied by a caregiver or job coach. Please consider the following policies if volunteering with a caregiver/job coach:
- Caregiver/Job Coach Policy
SAHS General Volunteer Program
The SAHS General Volunteer Program is open to individuals 18 years of age or older. We do our best to provide our volunteers with as much flexibility as possible while still keeping the needs of the shelter and the pets in our care in mind. We understand that your time is valuable and we appreciate that you are spending some of it with us!
We encourage volunteers to participate in all opportunities that interest them. However, please understand that it takes our staff time and energy to train volunteers. This is why we ask volunteers to pick one team of interest to start their volunteer service. Once trained in that team, volunteers can join and train for additional teams. Current volunteer teams 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 and can even train to become Volunteer Adoption Counselors.
Animal Behavior & Enrichment Team:
Animal Behavior & Enrichment Team volunteers work directly with our Animal Behavior Program Coordinator/Trainer to provide training and enrichment to our shelter pets. Volunteers can prep and distribute enrichment items helping to ensure daily enrichment is provided to all pets residing in the shelter. Volunteers can also join the Volunteer Dog Training Team to help our resident pets learn basic obedience skills.
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 Department to engage the community. Volunteers can learn how to set up and manage information booths, lead and/or assist in group volunteer opportunities, lead 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!
Dog Walking Team:
The purpose of the Dog Walking Team is to ensure that all of our resident pets get at least one long walk each day. All of our dogs are given a colored sticker that indicates their ease of walking. Volunteers are given a colored sticker to indicate what level of dog they are comfortable walking. Volunteers can walk any dog that matches their sticker level or lower.
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:
Our Public Relations Team Volunteers support our Public Relations Staff with media appearances, paparazzi (photography/videography), and graphic design.
Program Requirements
Individuals must be a minimum of 18 years of age to be accepted into the SAHS General Volunteer Program and must complete a background check before volunteering.
- If you have concerns about your ability to pass a background check please contact volunteer@sahumane.org.
- The fee for this service is $18.95 and is paid directly to the background check company.
Volunteer Opportunities & Time Commitments
Volunteer opportunities are available between 7 am & 7 pm every day except for major holidays.
How to get started
- Register for a Volunteer Orientation
- Space is limited so be sure to register early.
- 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 $18.95 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 and an invitation to complete your background check.
- You will not be able to attend orientation if your background check is not in process.
- You will not be given your volunteer shirt and badge until your background check is complete.
Upcoming General Volunteer Orientations
Dates for next month's orientations will be opened after all orientations for the current month have been filled. If none of the current dates work for you, please check back then.
Court Mandated Community Service
Court Mandated Community Service hours are available at the SAHS for individuals needing to complete hours for minor traffic violations only. Applications are approved on a case-by-case basis by the Volunteer Supervisor. 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.
Program Requirements
Individuals must be a minimum of 18 years of age and complete a background check to be accepted.
If you have concerns about your ability to pass a background check please contact volunteer@sahumane.org.
The fee for this service is $18.95 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 Team. 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
c. Submit your background check
d. Register for a campus walkthrough
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.