Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! We love our volunteers and could not operate to the full extent that we do without them — they are the heart and center of operations here at Seattle Humane. Volunteers are involved in almost everything we do, from animal care to administrative support, our veterinary clinic to events, and more!

VOLUNTEER

Join our Team

Volunteers play a huge role in helping Seattle Humane accomplish our mission of serving pets and the people who love them. They fill a wide variety of roles, and we are always looking for more volunteers!

All volunteers (including foster parents) start with a virtual volunteer orientation, which is available to watch at your convenience.

Getting Started

We’re currently seeking volunteers for the following roles...

If one or more of these roles sounds good to you, your first step will be watching our virtual volunteer orientation. We do not currently offer in-person orientation sessions. You can watch the virtual orientation below. Instructions for registering to volunteer are included in the video.

If you’re interested in other opportunities, please check back in the future, as our needs change throughout the year.

Play Video

Volunteer Requirements

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. If you are under 18, please see our Youth Programs page for more information.

Attend a mandatory, no-obligation Volunteer Orientation session in-person or online.

Able to volunteer regularly – volunteers find the most success when they volunteer 3 – 4 times per month!

Have an email account and regular access to the internet to manage your volunteer schedule online.

Questions?

Most questions can be answered by reading through our Frequently Asked Questions section below, or viewing the virtual volunteer orientation. If you still have questions, please email volunteers@seattlehumane.org.

Youth Opportunities

To volunteer, you must be at least 18 years of age. However, through our youth and educational programs, we have many opportunities for those under 18 who want to get involved and earn community service hours. To learn more, check out our Youth Programs page or contact EducationServices@seattlehumane.org.

Group Opportunities

If you are looking for a group service project for your company or organization, check out our Group Volunteering page.

Court-Ordered Community Service Opportunities

Seattle Humane cannot accommodate short-term community service opportunities at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there volunteer opportunities for youth?

Can I volunteer with my company or organization?

If you are looking for a group service project for your company or organization, check out our Group Volunteering page.

Do you provide court-ordered community service opportunities?

Seattle Humane cannot accommodate short-term community service opportunities at this time.

I am only available on certain days. Can I still volunteer?

Probably! Volunteer shifts vary by role. Our earliest shifts start at 7:30 a.m., and our last shift ends at 6 p.m. Shifts are available 7 days a week, but we cannot guarantee a particular shift will be available when you start volunteering. If you have a flexible schedule during the week, our highest need is on weekdays.

Do I get to cuddle with kittens and puppies?

Volunteers who work with Seattle Humane pets participate in the total care of animals. This means cleaning animal spaces, socialization and enrichment (like dog walks), feeding, and yes, sometimes that means cuddling!

I have allergies, can I still volunteer?

Seattle Humane accepts cats, dogs and small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils). Although all supplies are cleaned and sanitized, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free space.

We have several important volunteer roles that are not in animal housing spaces, like volunteering in our Pet Food Bank, that are excellent alternatives to animal handling roles. These spaces are not guaranteed to be completely allergen free but may be more comfortable for those with allergies.

Peanut butter and products containing peanut butter are often used in the shelter. We cannot guarantee a nut-free space for those with allergies.

Once I attend orientation, how soon can I start volunteering?

Your start date will depend on what position you’re volunteering for. There is general training and onboarding materials that need to be completed by all volunteers prior to joining the program, and many assignments have training specific to that position which will need to be completed before you report for your first shift. You’ll receive info on all necessary training via email and our online volunteer management system.

Can I volunteer for more than one position?

Yes! Many volunteers have more than one role, but as a new volunteer, you may find more success if you pick one position to start out.

If you can’t find the answer to your questions in the Frequently Asked Questions section or the virtual volunteer orientation, please email volunteers@seattlehumane.org.

Current Volunteers

Already a Volunteer? Log in to Digital Cheetah

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Volunteer Opportunities

Dog Exercise & Socialization

Keep dogs happy and healthy during their stay by ensuring they have clean living spaces, daily exercise, and enrichment. This role supports all aspects of dog care and is the best way to get some hands-on time with shelter pups!

Cat Care & Enrichment

Get your feline fix while supporting all their daily needs, including feeding, socialization, and enrichment, and keeping their living spaces clean and comfortable. This role is the best way to get some hands-on time with shelter cats!

Small Animal Care & Enrichment

Seattle Humane works with small domestic mammals such as rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and more. Volunteers support the complete care of these critters at the shelter, including feeding, socialization and enrichment, and ensuring their living spaces are clean and comfortable. 

Shelter Support

This team does a LOT to support the day-to-day functions of the shelter! From laundry and dishes, to crate-cleaning and supply stocking, these volunteers ensure we have everything we need to keep pets comfortable and healthy during their stay. This is a great way to get involved if you’re looking for a short-term role or flexible scheduling!

Pet Food Packer

Seattle Humane’s Pet Food Bank collects and distributes pet food donations for pets belonging to low-income families or pet parents experiencing hardship. This program provides nearly 82,000 meals every month, and volunteers are essential in preparing and organizing these much-needed supplies.

Pet Food Bank Delivery Driver

Interested in supporting pet parents in your own community? You can help by delivering pet food and other supplies to clients of our Pet Food Bank, participating senior centers and food banks around the greater Seattle area. This position is a great opportunity to volunteer with a friend or family member!

Vet Clinic Care Assistant

These volunteers ensure the smooth running of our veterinary clinic by cleaning, organizing supplies, and more. This is an entry-level role perfect for those who want to learn about the inner workings of a clinic – no veterinary experience needed!

Surgery Pack Wrap

Surgery Pack Wrap volunteers work closely with veterinary staff during our daily surgery shift to clean, wrap, and sterilize our surgical instrumentation. It's a fun, fast-paced job that helps us tremendously in our efforts to provide affordable spay-neuter services to low income families and perform needed surgeries on the pets in our care! This is a great opportunity to learn about surgical instrumentation and sterile techniques.

Outreach & Events

If you’re a people person looking for flexible volunteer opportunities, this is a great way to get involved! By staffing information tables, door-to-door outreach, and more, you can help pet lovers connect with the variety of services and resources offered through Seattle Humane.