Multiple volunteer opportunities at an animal shelter

The Westchester Humane Society relies on volunteers like you to assist with a variety of tasks around the shelter. Each volunteer at WHS is part of our team and important to our overall success. The volunteer community has a profound impact on the lives of the animals in our care. We are very grateful for your interest in our program and your commitment to donate your time and energy.

Volunteering with Dogs at WHS It is important for the health and well-being of our dogs that they get out of their kennels for exercise and stimulation each day. A daily walk provides the dogs with a chance to stretch their legs, and to have some quiet time and interact with people outside their kennels. To work with dogs at WHS you must be 18 years of age, attend an orientation session and receive basic training for handling the dogs. Dog volunteers must have the physical strength and dexterity to handle strong dogs.

Volunteering with Cats at WHS Cat volunteers play two roles at WHS. Early in the morning and later in the afternoon volunteers can help with cleaning the cat rooms/cages and feeding the cats. Throughout the day cat socialization allows the cats to enjoy human contact and grooming while they wait for their forever homes. Our shy cats can be helped to warm up to people and increase their chances of being adopted by working with our volunteers. To work with cats at WHS you must be at least 18 years of age, attend an orientation session and receive training for cat care and handling. You must be able to competently care for and safely handle the cats.

Junior Volunteer Program WHS works with Junior Volunteers ages 16-17, though Junior Volunteers are not eligible to work directly with the animals. Junior Volunteers are eligible to help with administrative tasks, cleaning duties and landscaping projects, and are very welcome to help with adult fundraisers or to create fundraisers or donation drives of their own. Junior Volunteers are not eligible to handle or work directly with the animals. Junior Volunteers must be accompanied by a parent for Orientation and for their first three visits or until approved by the shelter manager for independent work. During these visits the Junior Volunteer will be evaluated for his or her ability to safely and competently handle independent work.

Foster ProgramOpen your heart and home to an animal in need. Through our foster care program, you can provide a homeless pet with the extra time and care they need until they are ready for adoption. Every foster home requirement is different. Time commitments range from two weeks to two months or longer (senior animals and pit bulls can take longer to place). We supply the resources and you supply the love!

Cleaning Duties There is always something to be done to keep our shelter clean!

Grounds Work Volunteers help maintain the general landscaping of the grounds by weeding, raking, shoveling and cleaning up grounds around the shelter.

Facilities Maintenance and ImprovementWHS is always in need of qualified tradesmen to help with electrical, plumbing, roofing and general construction work.

Fund Raising As a not-for-profit organization, Westchester Humane Society relies on the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations to maintain its services. In addition to hosting fundraising events throughout the year, we request donations through direct mail, on the website, in person and through grant applications. Volunteers are needed to help out in a variety of areas including securing donations and grants. Anyone who is interested in working on an event committee is greatly appreciated. If you have experience or interest in fundraising, or wish to make a financial contribution, please let us know.

Public Relations Volunteers are need to make sure information about WHS, our animals and our events gets to newspapers, TV and radio stations. Volunteers also distribute event fliers throughout our service areas. Writing skills, creativity and tenacity in approaching publications and places to post fliers are skills needed for this activity.

Off-site Adoption Days Volunteers assist staff with transport of dogs and/or cats or equipment to adoption events held in the community (valid Drivers License required). Work with the staff to showcase our available animals and our shelter work. These events typically require a half-day or full day commitment, usually on a weekend day.

PhotographyExperienced photographers are needed to take professional quality pictures of our dogs and cats for our website, fliers and newsletters. We also need photographers to record events and help select photos for posting to the website.

Off-site Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers are always needed to place and maintain collection boxes at local businesses and to organize donation drives or tag sales benefitting the shelter.