Volunteer Program
A Message from the Volunteer Coordinator
Thank you for your interest in the San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS) Volunteer Program! We understand your time is valuable and we appreciate that you’re thinking about spending some of it with us! 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. The SAHS offers both long and short term volunteer opportunities for individuals and families. Volunteer applications are put on a temporary hold while we are implementing a new volunteer software.
Volunteer Opportunities
General Volunteer Program
The SAHS General Volunteer Program offers individuals a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from socializing our shelter pets to helping our staff with clerical duties and everything in between. The SAHS can accept general volunteers as young as 16 years of age. The fee for the General Volunteer Program is $30 per person. This fee goes to cover the cost of your volunteer insurance, shirt, badge, and any other necessary supplies. Applicants 18 years and older will also be required to complete a background check with Sterling Volunteers. The fee for the background check is $15.50 and is paid directly to Sterling Volunteers.
How to apply:
1. Create an account in Volunteer Hub. Be sure to verify your email address so you can access your account! This account will serve as your application.
a. New applications are reviewed by the Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible. Due to the high number of applications received it may take up to a week to receive a response (be sure to check your spam/junk folder). If you do not receive an email within 7 days please email volunteer@SAhumane.org.
2. Follow the instructions outlined in your email. It will contain links to pay your application fee, complete your background check, and complete the Animal Handling 101 online course.
3. Once you have paid your application fee, background check, and Animal Handling 101 you will receive another email with a link to sign up for the New Volunteer Tour.
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. Court Mandated Volunteer jobs revolve around cleaning and consist of little to no animal interaction. Applicants are approved on a case by case basis by the Volunteer Coordinator. The fee for this program is $30 per person. You must meet the following guidelines to be considered for the program:
• Provide court documentation stating the offense, number of hours to be completed, and the date they must be completed.
• Submit to and pass a background check.
• Be a minimum of 16 years of age.
Please email volunteer@SAhumane.org to verify eligibility.
Volunteer for a Day
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.
- Families
The Family Volunteer for a Day program was created to allow families with children between the ages of 5-15 the chance to volunteer together at the SAHS. Groups must consist of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 participants with no more than two children per adult family member. The fee for this program is as follows:
• $100 for up to 5 participants
• $200 for up to 10 participants
For more information please email volunteer@SAhumane.org
- Corporate Groups
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. The Volunteer for a Day program runs 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 please email volunteer@SAhumane.org
Volunteer for a Day – Individuals
Occasionally we will have Volunteer for a Day opportunities for individuals at SAHS events. Age restrictions, volunteer tasks, and hours will vary depending on the event. The fee for this program is $20. Individuals wishing to participate in more than one event will be asked to pay $10 for each additional event. Upcoming opportunities will be listed below. Please email volunteer@SAhumane.org for more information. Be sure to include the date and name of the event in your email.
- Brooks Transport Events
Volunteers are needed from 2 to 5 PM. Space is very limited. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Tasks revolve around cleaning and assisting staff with supply preparation.
• Saturday, February 1st
• Saturday, February 15th
• Saturday, February 29th
• Saturday, March 7th
General volunteers can participate in one or more of the following teams:
Adoption Team:
Volunteers provide direct support to our Adoption Staff by helping with general admin tasks behind the front desk or learning how to process adoptions as a volunteer adoption counselor. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and commit to a minimum of four scheduled hours per month to join this team.
Animal Health Team (Fredericksburg Road)
Volunteers will provide direct support to our Animal Health Staff by helping to clean animal cages/kennels, provide socialization to animals in the clinic & special needs areas, give medicated baths & dips, and assist with intake paperwork, data entry, and wellness clinics. If approved, volunteers may also earn hours for the Palo Alto and Animal Behavior College Veterinary Technician programs. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of four scheduled hours per month to join this team.
Animal Health Team (Brooks)
Volunteers will provide direct support to our Brooks Staff by helping to clean animal cages/kennels and clinic, provide wellness services to animals if necessary (vaccines, tests, nail trims, filling new vaccines, building e-collars, peeling syringes, etc.), assist with intake paperwork and data entry, as well as monitoring animals after surgery to ensure they are safe and healthy before going home to owner. If approved, volunteers may also earn hours for the Palo Alto and Animal Behavior College Veterinary Technician programs. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 6 scheduled hours per month to join this team.
Animal Care Team (Kennels B & D):
Volunteers provide direct support to our Animal Care Staff by helping to clean animal cages/kennels, provide socialization and enrichment to animals in the kennels, and provide general customer service to shelter visitors. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of four scheduled hours per month to join this team.
Animal Care Team (Kitty Cottage & Puppy Room):
Volunteers provide direct support to our Animal Care Staff by helping to clean animal cages/kennels, provide socialization and enrichment to animals in the Kitty Cottage and Puppy Room, and provide general customer service to shelter visitors. This opportunity is open to all volunteers. Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of four scheduled hours per month to join this team.
Media & Public Relations Team:
Volunteers provide direct support to our Communications Staff by helping to prepare pets for media appearances, accompany staff to media appearances when necessary, assist in writing pet descriptions, and assist with Adopt Me videos. This opportunity is open to all volunteers. Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of four scheduled hours per month to join this team.
Creative Design Team:
Volunteers provide direct support to our Creative Design Staff by assisting with adoption photo shoots, event photography, and graphic design. This opportunity is open to all volunteers. Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of four scheduled hours per month to join this team.
Humane Education Team:
Volunteers provide direct support to our Humane Educators by accompany staff on school visits, assisting with educational tours of the SAHS, birthday parties and girl/boy scout projects, and much more! Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of four scheduled hours per month to join this team.
Donor Relations Team:
Volunteers provide direct support to our Development Staff by assisting with donor thank you calls and special events. Volunteers should be able to commit to a minimum of two scheduled hours per month to join this team.
Dog Walking Team:
The Dog Walking Team helps ensure all dogs at the SAHS are provided with bathroom breaks, exercise and socialization at least twice a day. This position requires a tolerance for loud noise, and morning dog walkers are exposed to various cleaning agents. Volunteers in this position must be able to deal with adverse weather conditions, (we walk the dogs rain or shine). Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of two scheduled shifts per month to join this team.
Dog Training Team:
The mission of the Dog Training Team is to provide enrichment, assist in the development of social skills, and train obedience behaviors using positive reinforcement techniques for the canines in our care to improve their quality of life, encourage adoptions, and assist in Connecting Friends for Life. Volunteers should be a minimum of 16 years of age and must be able to commit to a minimum of four hours of direct work with our shelter dogs per month to join this team.
Enrichment Team:
Enrichment is meant to improve an animal’s environments and care based on their natural behaviors and instincts. The Enrichment Team is responsible for preparing and distributing enrichment items for the pets in our care. This opportunity is open to all volunteers. Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of two hours per month to join this team.
Cat Team:
The mission of the Cat Team is to provide enrichment, assist in the development of social skills, and train obedience behaviors using positive reinforcement techniques for the canines in our care to improve their quality of life, encourage adoptions, and assist in Connecting Friends for Life. This opportunity is open to all volunteers. Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of two hours of direct work with our shelter cats per month to join this team.
Bathing Team:
Bathing Team volunteers help us keep our shelter pets clean! Volunteers address the grooming needs of animals that come into the shelter matted, dirty or just in need of some good cleaning and primping. Volunteers don’t have to have any prior grooming experience, but it helps if you don’t mind getting wet. This opportunity is open to all volunteers. Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of two hours per month to join this team.
Event Team:
Event Team volunteers attend a wide variety of off-site events including but not limited to, adoption events, informational booth events, and fundraising events. This opportunity is open to all volunteers. Volunteers must be able to commit to attending a minimum of one event per quarter to join this team.
Play Group Team:
Did you know that a 30 minute playgroup session is the equivalent of a 2 hour walk for dogs? Play Group Team volunteers help us conduct weekly playgroup sessions for the dogs in our care. Benefits of playgroups for shelter dogs include:
- Better assessments of our pets
- Increased freedom and reduced stress for the dogs
- Modification of behaviors such as fear, anxiety and aggression
- Volunteers must be able to commit to attending minimum of one playgroup per month to join this team.
Our volunteer program is sponsored by Mr. W Fireworks.
