Teen Animal Care Volunteer Program

Registration for the 2026 sessions opens in November on a first-come, first-served basis. We welcome teens ages 16–18 to apply if they are enthusiastic about participating in the program and committed to attending their scheduled shifts and fulfilling their assigned roles.

Who

Teens ages 16–18 who are currently enrolled in high school

What

• Teens will choose to work in either the kennels or cattery during their 12-week session. Volunteer work will be performed at the shelter for a scheduled shift of 3 hours per week on their assigned day of the week. We expect teens to do the job assigned to them, which is predominantly helping to keep the dog or cat cages and kennels clean. Complacency is not an option.
• Each 12-week session is limited to 20 teens and positions are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Teens are limited to one session per calendar year.
• Teens must be 16 years old, and no older than 18 years old, by their session’s start date. If the teen does not meet the age requirement, the payment will be forfeited.
• Teens must be actively attending high school.
• The registered teen and a parent or legal guardian must attend the on-site orientation, and the teen must also attend the training session immediately following. No exceptions will be made. Only a parent or legal guardian may attend with the teen — other family members (such as siblings, grandparents, or other relatives) are not permitted as substitutes. Please ensure that you are both available on the orientation date for your chosen session, and that the teen is available for the one-hour training session. Be sure to mark the date on your calendar.
• Teen (with parental approval) must agree to criminal background check which will be processed prior to the orientation and sent to the parent’s address listed on the application.
• Teen must agree to come in once a week for 3 hours, for their 3-month session; same day, same time, same job (either animal care kennels or cattery). We do not offer make-up days.
• We are looking for enthusiastic teens who are not afraid of hard work. Teens are expected to work independently after training. Coming in but not doing the job at hand may result in the teen being dismissed from the program.
• If they attend all shifts, teens can earn 36 hours for school.
• There is a $40 non-refundable fee that helps cover the cost of the uniform shirt, badge, lanyard and background check.
• Teens can register for one session per calendar year.
• If teens have volunteered for sessions previously, approval from the Animal Care Supervisor is mandatory. The Humane Society of Broward County reserves the right to cancel a registration based on past performance. 
• You will be contacted approximately 10 days prior to your orientation date as a reminder.

When

2026 Orientation, Training (1-Hour Session) & Session Terms – PLEASE NOTE THESE IMPORTANT DATES IN YOUR CALENDAR
Dates and closures are subject to change

• Group #1
  Mandatory Orientation: 1/10/26 at 12:30m at the shelter
  Mandatory Training: 1/10/26 at 2:00pm
  Start: 1/18/26
  Stop: 4/11/26
  Shelter will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 5th
• Group #2
  Mandatory Orientation: 2/28/26 at 10:00am at the shelter
  Mandatory Training: 2/28/26 at 11:30am
  Start: 3/1/26
  Stop: 5/23/26
  Shelter will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 5th and Memorial Day, May 25th
• Group #3
  Mandatory Orientation: 3/28/26 at 10:00am at the shelter
  Mandatory Training: 3/28/26 at 11:30am
  Start: 4/12/26
  Stop: 7/4/26
  Shelter will be closed on Memorial Day, May 25th, Juneteenth, June 19th and Independence Day, July 4th
• Group #4
  Mandatory Orientation: 5/16/26 at 10:00am at the shelter
  Mandatory Training: 5/16/26 at 11:30am
  Start: 5/24/26
  Stop: 8/15/26
  Shelter will be closed on Memorial Day, May 25th, Juneteenth, June 19th and Independence Day, July 4th
• Group #5
  Mandatory Orientation: 6/27/26 at 10:00am at the shelter
  Mandatory Training: 6/27/26 at 11:30am
  Start: 7/5/26
  Stop: 9/26/26
  Shelter will be closed on Independence Day, July 4th and Labor Day, September 7th
• Group #6
  Mandatory Orientation: 8/8/26 at 10:00am at the shelter
  Mandatory Training: 8/8/26 at 11:30am
  Start: 8/16/26
  Stop: 11/7/26
  Shelter will be closed on Labor Day, September 7th
• Group #7
  Mandatory Orientation: 9/19/26 at 10:00am at the shelter
  Mandatory Training: 9/19/26 at 11:30am
  Start: 9/27/26
  Stop: 12/19/26
  Shelter will be closed on Thanksgiving, November 26th

Where

Humane Society of Broward County
2070 Griffin Road
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

Mandatory orientation and training sessions will be conducted at the shelter.
All volunteer shifts will be in person at the shelter.