Volunteers are a vital part of our organization. With their help, we are able to meet our mission, “to protect and promote the well-being of animals and foster positive relationships between animals and people.” You too can be a part of this mission and join a team of compassionate animal lovers.

Become a Volunteer

To become a volunteer, you must complete the following three steps:

1. Attend a general orientation session
   Contact Monica Wylie (253) 284-5832 if you plan to attend an orientation session. Training for specific volunteer programs will be held immediately following the Orientation, or on the following Sunday. Orientation sessions for 2010 are scheduled for the following dates:
    

   We will begin taking RSVPs for our June series on May 15th.

   • Friday, June 4 (10:00am – noon)  
   • Sunday, June 6 (10:00am – noon)

   We will begin taking RSVPs for our August series on July 15th.

   • Sunday, August 1 (10:00am – noon)

   We will begin taking RSVPs for our October series on September 15th.

   • Sunday, October 3 (10:00am – noon)

   Please RSVP either by email or by calling 284-5832.  Seating is limited to the first 100 respondents during the registration period.

2. Submit a Volunteer Application (at the orientation session)
3. Attend at least one “Matchmaker” training

» Get started, contact us

Volunteering FAQs

1. How old do you have to be to volunteer?
   You have to be at least 16 years old to volunteer at the shelter.
2. How many hours do I need to commit to volunteering?
   Six hours per month for a six-month period of time is the minimum requirement. This gives you time to obtain the necessary training to keep you and the animals safe.
3. What type of experience or qualifications do I need to volunteer?
   Our programs are so diverse; we can typically accommodate a wide range of skill sets.
4. What sorts of programs do you offer volunteers?
   We offer a wide variety of volunteer positions, such as:
• Special Events: Assist with planning and conducting events such as our annual Dog-A-Thon fundraiser.
• Bath Brigade: Bathe and groom shelter animals to improve their health and make them more adoptable.
• Foster Program: Nurture and socialize underage puppies, kittens, rabgbits, or adult dogs in your home until they are ready for adoption.
• Matchmaking (Pet Adoption): Assist potential adopters with the selection of a new companion animal, the adoption process and general use of resources.
• Spay/Neuter Project: Assists low-income Pierce County residents with the spay or neuter of their pets.
• Senior Pet Adoption: Match seniors with the right shelter pet in this special adoption assistance program.

It doesn’t stop there! The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County offers many other opportunities for volunteers to share their skills and talents. To get started, contact Monica Wylie at 253-284-5832 or MonicaW(at)thehumanesociety.org.

Foster an Animal

Fostering is simply nurturing a shelter pet in your home for a period of time. Fostering is usually for two weeks, but can be longer. The majority of animals fostered are litters of under-aged puppies and kittens. These five- to seven-week old kittens and puppies come to the shelter  stray or abandoned, but are too young and fragile to be placed in permanent homes. They need the security of their littermates, they need special care, and they need to learn important lessons from each other.

That’s where you come in. Just like kids, puppies and kittens learn to get along with each other by playing. They learn limits, they learn tolerance, and they learn not to hurt each other — too much!    This littermate interaction is essential for the healthy development of puppies and kittens. Fostered litters also learn about the home environment — other cats, dogs, and kids. When they return for adoption, they are often the most outgoing, confident animals in the shelter.

Other animals that may need fostering are animals recovering from surgery, or those that for some reason need time in a home before being adopted.

Some dogs just benefit from getting out of the kennel for a “sleepover” or a weekend break. You can help make a difference in the life of a shelter animal — and have a lot of fun, too!

If you are interested in becoming a pet foster parent, please plan to attend one of our volunteer orientations, where you will learn more about our foster program. Contact Us.

» Download: Seven Reasons to Foster - PDF