Become a Volunteer

WCHS volunteers are a very important part of our team. They help our staff provide loving care to our animals by performing a wide range of tasks – everything from helping feed and socialize animals to helping support our fundraising events. As a WCHS volunteer, you will make a real difference for our shelter animals. And what could be more fun than spending a few hours with some wonderful critters?

Shelter volunteers are asked to commit to a set schedule of two hours per week for a minimum of six weeks. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to work independently. Volunteers 14 & 15 years old can come in accompanied by a parent or guardian. All volunteers must be able to follow verbal and written instructions without assistance.

Complete an Application

Winter 2024: Our Volunteer Program capacity has been reached, with the exception of very specific needs. Due to upcoming construction, we will be unable to accommodate child volunteers at this time but invite families to participate in DIY, at-home volunteer opportunities (ideas listed at the bottom of this page).

The first step towards becoming a WCHS volunteer is to complete our Online Volunteer Application. You may also call or stop in to the shelter to request an application.

Attend Volunteer Orientation

Once your application is submitted, the next step in the process is to attend a Volunteer Orientation Session. These informational meetings take place monthly, roughly last 30-60 minutes. Due to volume of applications, please email lauren@windhamcountyhumane.org to be added to the next Volunteer Orientation Session.

Complete Volunteer Training

The WCHS volunteer program is based on a level system. After completing the open house, you will be scheduled for Level I training. All volunteers start at Level I. This allows volunteers time to become comfortable with our facility and staff while assisting with various cleaning and administrative duties.

After completing Level I, volunteers meet with the Volunteer Coordinator to decide where they would most enjoy working and put their skills to best use. Options include Dog Walker, Animal Care Assistant, Cat or Rabbit Socializer, or Front Desk Assistant. Level II volunteers must commit to a regular schedule for 6 months minimum.

From there, volunteers interested in becoming “experts” can advance to Level III to assist in the Animal Care Department or socialize with cats and dogs who need additional support prior to being adopted. Advancement throughout the volunteer program is based upon additional training that ensures the volunteer is ready for greater responsibility in handling animals.

Canine Escorts

Learn about our Canine Escorts program designed to help provide shelter dogs with field trips, overnights, and short-term foster homes to decrease stress and increase overall wellness. If you are interested in joining this volunteer team, please indicate this in the Volunteer Interests section of our application.

HELP WANTED! We Need Volunteers for the following tasks:

Coin Can Collectors
Chances are, you've spotted a WCHS coin can at the register of a local business. We are in desperate need of volunteers who are willing to drive to several local locations once a month to collect these cans in the following towns: Bellows Falls, Bondville, Brattleboro, Brookline, Marlboro, Townshend, West Brattleboro, West Dover, Wilmington.

Posters
Classic grassroots marketing! Help spread the word about what is happening at WCHS by scouting out community bulletin board space and adding our flyers. This is a monthly task, requiring a few hours in travel and posting time. A Poster's goal is to hit at least 20 locations (especially outside of the Brattleboro area).

Declutter Money Makers
Do you love hosting a good summer garage sale, tag sale, or yard sale? Consider holding a community-wide decluttering yard sale with proceeds going towards the shelter dogs and cats. If you are interested in hosting a yard sale, we have items we can contribute and will help you spread the word about your tag-sale-for-good!

Event FUN-Raisers

We need event help in the form of collecting items for auctions/giveaways as well as week-of and day-of event volunteer support. Volunteers can support this mission by doing the following:

Collect new items donated by friends, families, or businesses to create themed gift baskets (ex. Camping with kids, Smore's & More, Maple Maple Maple, Garden basket, Beers of Vermont). Baskets are due by August 25th
Collect gift cards, gift certificates, and tickets to shows, sporting events, etc. for the Walk for the Animals raffle and prizes for top fundraisers. This can be accomplished by donating an unexpired gift card that you currently have, buying a gift card (or pooling with a group to purchase one), asking local businesses to donate gift certificates (we have letters you can provide to the business manager), or by messaging local museums or art galleries to donate tickets/passes
Week-of and day-of volunteer support for the following in-person events:
- Monday, August 29: "Luminaries of Love" (working title)
- Saturday, September 24: Walk for the Animals

To get involved with our immediate volunteer needs (Coin Can Collectors, Posters, Decluttering, and Event FUN-raisers only) please email: Maya Richmond maya@windhamcountyhumane.org

If you’re Under 13 Years Old, there are still many ways to help WCHS!

Decorate a big box with animal pictures/things we need from our shelter, and place this box in store or public area (as long as you have permission from the owner or manager). Attach a sign to the box asking people to donate dog, puppy, cat or kitten supplies to the Windham County Humane Society. See our “Shelter Wish List” here: https://windhamcountyhumane.org/inkind-gifts/

Help an elderly or sick neighbor take care of their pets.

Post copies of our "Shelter Wish List" in your school or neighborhood. Or, return cans for deposit, and then use the money to purchase something from our "Shelter Wish List".

Ask your scout troop, camp, temple, church and other organizations to hold collection drives and special fundraisers (bake sale, car washes, yard sales, etc) in support of Windham County Humane Society.

Have a dog biscuit/cat cookie bake sale, or donate the treats to the WCHS animals.

Come to the shelter & take photos of the animals needing homes, then make posters that you can hang on bulletin boards at your school.

Create a “coin collecting” event event in your neighborhood, school, library or scout troop. Drop off rolled coins to Windham County Humane Society.

Volunteer from home with these fun DIY ideas

Click the photo below and head to our Kids Volunteer Ideas Pinterest board for a ton of fun ways to help shelter pets.