Thank you for your interest in helping our shelter animals! All of us here at the Humane Society of Harford County are extremely grateful for the tremendous community support we receive. Our volunteers are indispensable! They are dedicated people of all ages, from all walks of life, who thoughtfully donate thousands of hours of their own personal time to help the animals and the people of Harford County.

*TO ALL APPLICANTS: We are currently only processing a limited number of volunteer applications each month due to the size of our organization, staffing and availability. If you have applied and have not received a response, we ask for your patience because we receive more applications than we can process! Please note that it may take anywhere from 60-120 days to get a response due to the volume of applicants we receive.

We are primarily in need of the following volunteer positions: Special Events, Transport, Housekeeping and Foster Parents.

**COURT-ORDERED SERVICE: If you have been ordered to complete court-ordered community service, please click here to send an email to the appropriate staff. Please note that we only accept court-ordered community service workers ordered through the Harford County courts. Please also note that you will not be working with the animals.

short-term VOLUNTEERS

Short-term volunteers are Girl Scout & Boy Scout troops, students/individuals who need to earn a few community service hours for school, church, or a club, or simply those folks who wish to help the animals but cannot commit to being a long-term volunteer.  The Youth & Group “Pet Projects” booklet is full of great ways to help the animals.  And check out this booklet of fun enrichment crafts you can make with stuff you probably already have around the house! If you are in need of non-court-ordered community service hours, you are responsible for tracking your own hours and delivering your completed project to the Humane Society.  If you have paperwork that must be signed, the Volunteer Coordinator will be happy to do so.

If you are interested in organizing a Humane Education Day at the shelter or off-site, please visit our Educational Resources page.

long-term VOLUNTEERS

Long-term volunteers are those folks that can commit to a minimum of five hours per month and plan to be with us for six months or more.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Are there any age restrictions to volunteer?

A: As one of the few animal welfare organizations that continues to welcome children as volunteers, we greatly recognize their talents, gifts and enthusiasm. However, as an animal shelter, we must also weigh the risks inherent when around animals and in a public facility. As such, the minimum age for volunteers is 12 years old, but please note that the volunteer jobs below marked with an asterisk (*) are only for volunteers aged 18+. For safety and liability reasons, volunteers under 18 years of age must be accompanied to all volunteer activities by a parent or legal guardian, and will not be permitted to walk or interact with the dogs. Parents or legal guardians are asked to fill out a separate volunteer application, and attend orientation and trainings with the child. We ask that no more than three children be accompanied by one adult.

Q: What is the process for becoming a new volunteer?

A: Once you submit your application using the link below, the Volunteer Coordinator will review your application for suitability to volunteer at the shelter. Once approved, you will receive an email with a link to sign up for an upcoming orientation. Following your orientation, you will receive another email with your personal PIN to sign in/out on our volunteer system at the shelter, and further instructions on the next steps. Depending on what volunteer opportunities you select, there may be one or more training sessions required and you may be paired with a mentor volunteer to complete these subsequent trainings. The process can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on everyone’s schedules.

Q: How much time do I need to commit to volunteering?

A: We ask that you commit to a minimum of five (5) hours per month for at least six (6) months.

Q: What are the jobs that volunteers can do?

A: We have a variety of programs and services to suit all types of volunteers!

  • * Adoption Events: Bring adoptable animals from the shelter to special adoption events to help them find their forever homes.
  • * Administration: Help our admin and adoptions staff with duties such as data entry, checking voice mails, returning phone calls, and other office projects.
  • Cat Cuddler: Visit cats and kittens in the shelter and help them feel more comfortable by petting, playing, cuddling, and providing other forms of enrichment.
  • Critter Caretaker: Provide care and enrichment for exotic animals such as rabbits, mice, rats, ferrets, snakes, turtles, guinea pigs, and more!
  • * Dog Walker: Help make a shelter dog’s day better by taking them for a walk or spending some quality time playing or relaxing with them in an enrichment area or yard.
  • Greeter: Greet customers and potential adopters in the lobby, assist with answering phone calls, and monitor dog kennel areas during busy adoption hours.
  • Housekeeping: Help our shelter staff with daily tasks such as cleaning, mopping, laundry, and organizing donations.
  • * Humane Education: Provide outreach and education in the community or at the shelter for various schools, youth groups, or special events.
  • Photography: Help HSHC animals find placement by taking photos for our website, social media appeals, rescue and foster pleas, and/or take photos at HSHC events.
  • * Special Events: Assist with planning, preparation, and execution of special events in the community.
  • * Transport: Help transport pets to satellite adoption locations, veterinary hospitals, and local rescue groups.

* Volunteers for these positions must be at least 18 years of age

 


Volunteer Application

  • Thank you for applying to volunteer at The Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC), where volunteers are an integral part of our team!
  • Applicant Information

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  • Emergency Information

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  • Volunteers must have independent health insurance to volunteer at HSHC's shelter or with animals at off-site adoption events and satellite locations. Please list insurance information below:
  • Volunteer History

  • Volunteer Opportunities

  • Please indicate the type(s) of volunteer opportunities you are interested in by checking the appropriate boxes below. For a complete description of each opportunity, please visit harfordshelter.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/. Options with an asterisk (*) are only available to volunteers over the age of 18.
  • Availability

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  • Important Reminders

  • Applicants are reviewed on an individual basis and selection and placement of volunteers is based on current needs of HSHC, skills and interests of the volunteer, and an applicant’s ability to demonstrate personal commitment to the volunteer program. We ask that volunteers commit to at least 5 hours a month for at least 6 months. Following application approval, the Volunteer Coordinator will send the applicant a link to sign up for a Volunteer Orientation. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, and those under the age of 18 must be under direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian when volunteering at the shelter. We ask that no more than three children be accompanied by one adult. Both the guardian and child(ren) must fill out an application and attend all volunteer activities together, including orientation.