Thank you for your interest in exploring volunteer opportunities at the Western PA Humane Society! We are looking for dedicated and compassionate individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of homeless animals and who have the time and energy to devote to our shelter residents.
Our most popular opportunities are Dog Walking, Cat Cuddling, and Bunny Buddying, but we have many more opportunities available in animal care, offsite adoption events, fundraising, animal training, and clerical.
In order to give you a better idea of what volunteers do here at our shelter, we are providing general information on volunteer requirements, animal-handling protocols, and exciting opportunities available to volunteers. We also encourage you to come to our shelter and observe volunteer interaction with our animals so that you can make an informed decision about volunteering at the Western PA Humane Society.
Check out our Volunteer FAQ’s to see if you meet our requirements for volunteering.
The Western PA Humane Society is an Open Door Shelter. Please click here to read about our Open Door Philosophy and its benefits to the animals in our community. You may also go to www.opendoorshelters.org to read more.
MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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The WPHS offers Community Service opportunities for compliance with educational and court-ordered Community Service. Community Service opportunities are staff-supervised and include kennel work, shelter maintenance, clerical, and data-entry, depending upon the skills and interests of the Community Service applicant. Available opportunities depend upon the applicant's availability. Click here to apply.
TheWPHS welcomes families and groups of volunteers for
Single Day of Service volunteering. Although we do not offer Dog Walking, Cat Cuddling, or Bunny Buddying to one-time volunteers, we provide enjoyable projects that benefit our shelter animals and are great opportunities for groups of animal-loving volunteers! Click here to schedule a Single Day of Service opportunity.
The WPHS greatly appreciates volunteers who prefer to dedicate their skills and expertise in ways that do not involve animal handling and offer Helpful Hands Volunteer Program
Clerical, fund-raising, gift wrapping (seasonal), grounds-keeping, shelter maintenance, cleaning, event staffing, data entry, surgical instrument sanitizing, retail store help, greeting visitors -- all of these volunteer positions make a huge difference in the lives of our animals and our staff. Click here to sign up!
Step One: Examine your schedule and other commitments to see if you have the time to volunteer. We ask for a minimum commitment of two hours a week for a minimum period of six months. Volunteering with our animals is so enjoyable that we hope you will continue to spend time with them after your minimum commitment is complete!
Step Two: Homework!
Understanding Volunteering Basics and the procedures we follow to keep our animals safe and healthy is of utmost importance. Please click on the animal/s below with whom you’d like to interact, and study the protocols involved in animal handling and the basics of volunteering. These are essential things you need to know while interacting with our animals!
Step Three: Quiz!
Take our Volunteer Quiz to test your knowledge of Volunteer Basics and Animal Handling Protocols. Complete the Dog Walking, Cat Cuddling, or Bunny Buddy quiz and let us know which New Volunteer Orientation date/s would best fit in with your schedule.
Dog Walking »
Cat Cuddling »
Bunny Buddy »
Step Four: Receive an Invitation and attend a New Volunteer Orientation!
After reviewing your quiz, we will invite you to attend a New Volunteer Orientation. We will do our best to honor your requested date, but if we can’t, we’ll offer you alternative dates. Orientation space is limited. The sooner you submit your Quiz, the sooner you'll receive your invitation. At our Orientations we teach you hands-on animal skills, answer any additional questions you may have, and take you on a tour of our shelter. After your Orientation you will receive a Volunteer Button that will allow you to directly interact with our animals.