Volunteers make tails wag!

If you are interested in donating your time, please RSVP for our next Volunteer Orientation by contacting our Volunteer Coordinator at 476-3811 x110 or volunteer@cvhumane.com.

See our Calendar of Events for dates of upcoming Volunteer Orientations.

• All prospective volunteers must attend Volunteer Orientation to learn about CVHS, our programs and opportunities.
• Required community service hours (parole, etc.) fall under a different program. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator for more information if you have community service hours to complete.
• You do not need to be a volunteer to visit available animals when the shelter is open. If you simply want to see and interact with the animals we encourage you to visit at your own convenience.

Questions? Contact CVHS’s Volunteer Coordinator at:
(802) 476-3811 x110 or email volunteer@cvhumane.com

Help Us Help You to Help Us

We are open to the public Tuesday – Friday 1pm – 5pm, and Saturday 10am – 4pm. If you simply want to see and interact with the animals we encourage you to visit at your own convenience during these times.

If you would prefer to serve your community and animals as a registered volunteer, we use the following guidelines:

Commitment

CVHS needs volunteers who are available on a regular basis for a few months or more at a time to keep our shelter running smoothly.  Our volunteer relationship requires scheduling and flexibility. We organize our day around the human resources available to help with tasks. Volunteers are expected to attend all scheduled shifts or to call in to let the Volunteer Coordinator know they will be unavailable.

Training you is an investment for all of us.  We want you involved to seek the rewards!

Requirements and Restrictions

CVHS provides equal opportunities to all employees, volunteers and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

• Minimum Age Requirement - CVHS volunteers must be a minimum of 16 years old to serve independently. Children 14 and 15 may serve with a parent and that parent must be in attendance as a fully functional and trained volunteer at all times. Labor laws prohibit children under the age of 14 from volunteering
• Volunteers must be capable of meeting animal care and organizational goals and requirements with a minimum of supervision once trained
• Similar to staff, volunteers should have the competencies to meet functions of positions assigned. CVHS volunteer opportunities, openings and schedules are subject to change. We cannot guarantee that your availability will correspond with our current needs. CVHS reserves the right to deny any person or persons the opportunity to volunteer at any time.
• All caregivers of people with special needs must have attended Volunteer Orientation and all other requisite training along with their clients and serve as fully functional volunteers

Safety Issues and Concerns

CVHS does everything possible to keep our animals and volunteers safe, but please be aware that a shelter is an environment with risk of injury or illness.  All volunteers must sign a waiver of liability prior to volunteering at the shelter; volunteers work here at their own risk.

• Volunteers must attend safe animal handling training before interacting with animals
• To work with dogs a volunteer must be able to lift 40lbs and be able to control a 60lb dog on a leash without assistance
• Agencies sending staff and clients or students to volunteer must be willing to accept all risk for clients and caregivers as well.  A form will be provided for this purpose
• Volunteers must follow protocols, work only in designated areas, and treat staff, other volunteers, and the animals humanely and with respect

Confidentiality is important at CVHS.  Any matters regarding cruelty cases, personal information, unavailable animals and personnel information must be kept confidential. All volunteers must sign a confidentiality agreement prior to volunteering

Volunteers must have reliable transportation and should not be dropped off at the shelter for volunteering; in the event of an emergency, all volunteers would need transportation away from the shelter.

CVHS provides equal opportunities to all employees, volunteers and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Sample Opportunities for Volunteers

Volunteer needs and opportunities change frequently. Below are examples of volunteer opportunities we may have available for you to consider! Each requires different levels of experience, training and commitment.

Board Members
• Governing Board of Directors performs monthly meetings and other duties

Foster Care Providers
• Provide temporary care in your home for animals with needs that are not met in the shelter

Transportation Engineers
• Driving to weekly vet appointments
• Running errands
• Animal transportation to rescue, etc.
• Picking up donations

Shelter Care and Cleaning
• Daily animal area cleanings
• Dishes and laundry
• Grooming
• Elbow grease!
• Special Cleaning Projects

Customer Care Volunteers
• Reception area support
• Off-site adoption teams

Office Volunteers
• Data Entry
• Envelope Stuffing
• Hanging posters around town

Special Events Volunteers
• Committee meetings
• Tabling at events
• Fundraising
• Event set-up
• Advertising

Landscaping & Maintenance Volunteers
• Mowing, raking, shoveling
• Grounds keeping
• Special projects

Humane Educators
• Provide education opportunities
• Teach respect for our environment and all living creatures