about volunteering at dpvhs
who can volunteer?
Some volunteer positions have minimum age, skill, and commitment requirements to ensure the safety of the volunteer, animals, visitors, staff, and other volunteers. Specific information on requirements for each volunteer position can be found on the following pages.
Mentors or parents/guardians of prospective volunteers with special needs should contact the Outreach Administrator directly to discuss possibilities. If you have community service requirements to fulfill for school or court, please continue reading for more information.
volunteer positions inside the adoption center
For hands-on volunteer positions inside the adoption center- such as for morning animal care, mid-day dog walking, adoption center helper, etc.- we are looking for volunteers who will commit to one shift each week for two to four hours per shift, for at least six months. Because of the extensive amount of training that goes into preparing volunteers for these positions, this minimum time commitment is required. Volunteers who are most successful in these hands-on positions are able to work independently, are self starting, motivated, and can easily ask questions when needed.
The orientation and training process for these positions generally takes a month to complete, or a bit longer. After training, the prospective volunteer is considered "In Training" for the first month of independent volunteering (one month is equal to 4 shifts at two to four hours per shift). At the end of a volunteer's "In Training" month, we hold a review to determine if volunteer placement is mutually beneficial.
To volunteer inside the adoption center, volunteers need to be at least 16 (18 for some programs). The minimum age applies even if a parent/guardian would be willing to come with the child. No exceptions are allowed. However, that does not close the door on young people wanting to volunteer! Please check out "What Can I Do to Help as a Volunteer?" to learn about ways that young people can be involved with DPVHS.
When do you need volunteers?
Volunteer schedules vary by position. In general, hands-on adoption center volunteer positions may be available every day of the week between 8am and 4pm. Spay/Neuter clinic volunteer positions may be available Monday through Friday between 9am and 4pm. If you are interested in finding out if there is a position that matches your schedule, please attend a Welcome Session. Click here to find out the dates and times of our upcoming Welcome Sessions.
Fulfilling community service requirements
If you are required by your school, church, or other community group (excluding court-ordered service) to fulfill community service requirements, it is VERY important that you contact us well in advance of your deadline (two months or more, depending on the number of hours required). We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate requests to fulfill community service hours, but we will do our best with the resources we have available. You will need to attend a prospective volunteer Welcome Session.
court-mandated community service
When available, DPVHS does offer volunteer service hours to court mandated volunteers. As with regular community service, it is VERY important that you contact us well in advance of your deadline (two months or more, depending on the number of hours required). Contacting us well in advance will give you a greater chance to be able to fulfill your hours with us, however we cannot guarantee hours. All court mandated community service volunteers must attend a Welcome Session and provide:
- Court documentation of offense;
- Number of hours to be completed;
- Deadline for completion; and
- Supervisor/Probation Officer/Court contact information.
Please note: The crime must have been completed while applicant was over the age of 18, and the reason for required hours must NOT pertain to the following:
- Theft
- Drugs
- Violence
- Animal Abuse
- Sexual Offense
- Manslaughter/Murder
Court mandated community service volunteers will be placed, when possible, in one of the following areas: Grounds keeping (weeding, raking, etc.), indoor maintenance (cleaning glass, mopping, sweeping, dusting, etc.), and other special projects when available . Court ordered community service volunteers will not be placed in positions working with the animals or visitors.
Learn more about what you can do to help as a volunteer.