We rely heavily on volunteers to keep our shelter open. Updated April 18, 2008 We have a critical need for volunteers to help in the following areas:

PetSmart Attendant-The Humane Society, has cats available for adoption at the Adoption Center at PetSmart in the Target Plaza in Benton Township. This volunteer would be able to commit to one day a week between 7:00PM & 9PM Mon-Sat, and 4:00PM - 6:00PM on Sundays and scoop 9 litter boxes, check the well being of the cats, change bedding if necessary, make sure adequate food and water is available, and remove the trash from the center. The off-site availability for our pets to be seen along with extended hours will enable us to increase our pets visibility and adoptions but we need your help! Please call the shelter manager at 269-927-3303.

Errand Runner- This person would be available during shelter hours to pick up donations from off-site locations and deliver them to the shelter and run other errands away from the shelter. This volunteer would need to have a valid drivers license and a reliable vehicle. Time committment is flexible.

HandyPerson- Our shelter is aging and requires some basic repair tasks to keep it in good shape. These tasks could include minor fence repairs both inside and outside, glass pane replacement, door repairs, painting, caulking, and other small repair tasks. If you like working with your hands and have some free time we would love to welcome you to our volunteer program. Time committment is flexible during open shelter hours or mornings before the shelter is open to the public.

For More Information about Volunteer Opportunities
Please refer to the "Events Link" and look for Volunteer Orientation, or call or stop in the Humane Society today!

Some of our volunteer opportunities are listed below. If you have other talents you would like to share with the Humane Society please call and share them with us!

Animal Care - Assist with animal bathing and grooming, cleaning ears, trimming toe nails, and just making the animals feel good.

Cat Grooming and Socialization - Spend time with the shelter cats, play with them, and get them used to being groomed and handled by people.

Dog Walking and Socialization - Assist HSSM staff with exercise and socialization of the dogs in order to decrease stress and to increase mental stimulation.

Practice loose lead walking throughout walk.
Practice "wait" at doors along the way.
Practice "sit" along the way.
Quiet Time - one-on-one time with dog and volunteer, petting, playing, and just being together.
Group Socialization - taking specified (and approved) groups of dogs into the play yard for supervised interaction and playtime.

Kennel Care - Assist HSSM staff with cleaning and caring for the animals surroundings.

Assist with feeding, washing dishes, cleaning litter boxes, changing bedding, and assisting with laundry duties.
Distribute toys and buscuits to the animals to help ward off boredom.

Grounds Keeper - Help keep the shelter looking nice.

Plant and maintain flowers.
Trim bushes and trees.
Maintain outside structures.
Pick up debris and trash around shelter.
Mow the Lawn.

Lost and Found Assistant - Check lost and found book for possible matches and update records.

Make phone calls to listers to check and update the status of their report.
Check incoming animals for possible matches with the lost and found report.
Contact owners to have them come in and see the possible match.

Photographer - Volunteer would go to shelter once or twice a week to take pictures of new animals that come in. This usually requires two people: one to hold the animal, and the other to snap the pictures. Digital pictures and descriptions would be emailed to website lead. Keeping the animals current increases their chances of adoption greatly!

Coin Bank Distributor/Collector - As a part of an ongoing fundraising effort, the shelter has coin banks to be distributed to various businesses. Volunteers are needed to recruit businesses to place the banks and return them to the shelter.

Cookies and Snacks - Bake cookies and/or provide snacks for certain events such as the Annual Christmas Party for the Animals, The Annual Shelter Birthday Party, and the Benefit Sale.

Crafter/Boutique Items - This can be done right from your home! We need Wubbie Makers! Knit, sew, or crochet cat sized blankets for our kitties to snuggle with. Not only does this give the kitties something to snuggle and play with, it provides warmth from drafts an sometimes a hiding place for a shy kitty. We also need toy makers who can make a variety of cat toys for the shelter cats, and to sell at fund raisers or at our Boutique Corner at the shelter.

Ebay Lister - List donated items on Ebay for sale. Funds go directly back to the shelter. The lister would be responsible for taking photos of the items, listing and monitoring the auctions, collecting the payment, and shipping the items.

Event Planner - Plan monthly, yearly, and special events. This includes Adoption Days, Spay/Neuter Clinics and all other events. Planner would have to locate businesses to provide space for events, coordinate communications with media and website lead, and coordinate flyer printing and distribution.

Events/Information Booth Volunteer - Assist HSSM staff with events such as the Annual Mutt March, Adoption Days, Paws with Claus, Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest, and certain fundraising events. This person would help with any of the following things: setting up, mailing out flyers, creating gift packages, transporting animals to and from the event, handling the animals during the event, assisting with sales at the event, and cleaning up afterward. The information booth volunteers would act as ambassadors for the shelter, answering questions about the Humane Society and passing out information.

Event Photographer - Attend events, booths, and adoption days to take pictures of animals and volunteers for the website, the bulletin board at the shelter, and sometimes newspaper ads.

Flyer Distributor - Distribute flyers for events and parties to stores, veterinarians, and schools at least 2-3 weeks before event takes place.

PawMart Attendant - The Humane Society, along with Animal Aid and Animal Control run a cooperative effort, adoption center at Martin's PawMart in St. Joseph. This volunteer would come in and clean the kennels, check the well-being of the cats, and change the bedding and toys.