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Volunteers of the Humane Society of Broward County
HSBC volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization. Your helping hands and boundless generosity make our mission possible and keep our animals loved and happy until they find their forever home. Our staff and animals are eager to welcome you to our volunteer family. Thank you for your interest, time and dedication. We are inspired daily by your smiles and giving spirit!
The process for becoming a volunteer is as follows:
- First step is to send an email to [email protected] to express your interest in either our foster programs or our volunteer positions. These positions are for adults 18 and over.
- You will receive an email back with information on the volunteer program in general, and the positions that are currently available along with the days and times so you can see which position would interest you and if the available openings work with your schedule. We ask that you provide three choices in the event your first choice has been filled. Not all positions are available at all times, but the list is updated when a position has vacancies.
- Both foster and shelter volunteer orientations are offered monthly via Zoom meetings. Once your desired position request is received, you will be sent a confirmation email that locks in your position and provides access codes to the orientation. Attendance is mandatory and is the first step for any volunteer position in our shelter.
- After attending the orientation, you will be sent a link to the volunteer application and a mandatory multi-state criminal background check authorization. A fee of $40 will be required to cover the cost of the background check, uniform shirt, access badge and lanyard for volunteer positions, and $20 for our foster programs to cover the cost of the background check.
- When the completed application is received, the Director of Volunteer Services will process the information in our volunteer database, and then contact you when information is complete and the criminal background check is returned clear.
- Foster applications will then be routed directly to the program manager.
- For shelter positions, you will be contacted by your department’s supervisor for training, or scheduled for on-the-job training. Each position varies. Training may take place on a day other than your regularly scheduled day.
Once training is complete, you’re ready to start your exciting journey as a Humane Society of Broward County volunteer.
Volunteer Roles
Teen Volunteer Opportunities
We offer an on-site program for teens in high school, ages 14 to 17. Registration for the program opens in November and remains open until all positions for the following year are full. We are currently at capacity for the current year and are no longer accepting names for the waitlist.
Animal Assisted Therapy
Certify your pet in our AAT program to share their love and comfort with those in care facilities, nursing homes and hospitals. Share the special touch and spirit of your pet visiting people in libraries, schools, in virtual gatherings, and other special places.
Animal Photographer
Get up close and have fun taking high-quality photographs of animals for the HSBC website, increasing their chances for adoption.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Photography Assistant
Assist the animal photographer to capture the purr-fect photos of our irresistible, adoptable pets for the HSBC website.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required. We photograph the animals Monday through Friday starting at 1:30pm.
Bather
Our bathers wash the dogs prior to going into surgery, then they bathe some of the dogs in the kennels. We want to make sure they stay fresh and happy while they’re with us.
Shift: Once a week commitment is required on the same day and time each week. Bathers are here seven days a week from 9:00am through 12:00pm.
Behavior Helpline
Help pets be a welcome member of their family and remain home with them. Behavior helpline volunteers provide support and education to pet owners calling about problematic behavior. Requirement: experience in positive reinforcement training and animal behavior.
Shift: Varies, with calls made from home.
Cat PAL — Petting, Attention and Love!
Trained volunteers help meet the social and emotional needs of our shelter cats through one-on-one interaction.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Cats in Progress
Know cats? Volunteers familiar with cats’ behavior work one-on-one with select kitties to build a behavior profile of their characteristics and traits for potential adoptive families.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required. Cats in Progress operates Monday – Friday, 9 to 11 a.m.
Clinic Assistant
Trained volunteers clean instruments, put surgical packs together, and help retrieve and return animals to and from their kennel.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Dog PAL — Petting, Attention and Love!
Trained volunteers help meet the social and emotional needs of our shelter pups through one-on-one interaction with them in the kennel, noting observed behaviors. This is a very hands-on, physical position.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Dog Walker
Dog Walking Volunteers walk dogs on a pre-determined route on shelter grounds for exercise and stimulation. Personal experience with different dog breeds is required and the ability to control dogs of all sizes is mandatory.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Education Outreach
Volunteers teach children and adults the responsibilities of caring for a pet. Topics covered are pet safety, overpopulation, adoption and making a lifetime commitment to your pet. Education positions are sometimes shelter based or out in the community and schools. A monthly calendar of events is sent to all Education volunteers. Opportunities exist to bring your own dog after it passes the Education Dog evaluation.
Shift: As needed.
Foster Families
Volunteers provide temporary care for puppies, kittens, or special-needs animals readying for adoption. An initial supply of pet food and other necessary items are provided by HSBC.
Go-Home Assistant
In our customer service department, trained volunteers complete adoption paperwork and review it with the adopting family. When paperwork is complete, you retrieve the adopted dog, cat or other small animal for going home! Volunteers must be able to walk and control dogs of all sizes, including 70+ pounds.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Greeter
Wanted: Warm welcomes! Greeters are the first point of contact for patrons visiting our shelter lobby. Greeters direct visitors to requested areas and provide general shelter, adoption or programming information.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Animal Care Dog Kennels
This important position works alongside our Animal Care staff to keep the dog kennels clean, to feed the dogs, make sure they have toys to play with and to lend a hand with enrichment and general cleaning.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Animal Care Cattery
The cattery volunteers make sure the cats, bunnies, guinea pigs and any other small animals in our cattery have a clean environment, fresh water and food and lots of petting and socialization.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required. We offer three shifts per day.
Pet Boutique
People-oriented pet lovers enjoy the bustle of the boutique, interacting with patrons, helping shoppers choose items, ringing up sales and restocking inventory.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Customer Service Phones
Assist the customer service adoption team by managing a busy phone line with calls from the public. Greet, direct, and educate patrons about responsible pet ownership as needed.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Pups in Progress
Dog whisperer? Knowledgeable volunteers work one-on-one with select dogs to evaluate different behaviors such as walking on a leash, basic commands and more to build a profile for potential adopters. You must be able to walk and control dogs 70+ pounds.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required. Pups in Progress operates Monday – Friday, 9 to 11 a.m.
Security
Retired or current law enforcement personnel generously donate their time to ensure the safety and security of the shelter.
Shift: Once a week commitment is required on the same day and time each week. Security positions are available seven days per week.
Shelter Guide
It’s about the right fit! Shelter Guide volunteers provide basic information and measured guidance to patrons in the kennel and cattery about responsible adoptions that suit their lifestyle. Guides roam the area armed with a tablet to help locate adoptable animals and answer patron questions.
Shift: Same day and time weekly required.
Shelter Services
The Shelter Crew volunteers lend a hand in keeping up with washing, drying and folding our laundry, keeping the kennel and cage glass clean and other general maintenance jobs around the shelter as assigned.
Shift: Once a week commitment is required on the same day and time each week. Shelter Crew positions are available seven days per week.
Vaccine Clinic Greeter
The Vaccine Clinic Greeter welcomes clients and their pets who are visiting the shelter to receive annual vaccinations. The Greeter goes over available packages with the patrons, and lets them know when the clinic is ready to see them.
Shift: Once a week commitment is required on the same day and time each week. Vaccine Clinic Greeter positions are available Monday through Friday.
Email [email protected] if you require additional information.
