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Volunteering FAQ
Q: I’m a student and I just need to get in some service hours for school. Do I still need to go through the training?
A: Yes. It’s important that you learn everything there is to know about the volunteer job you’re interested in. This covers information, safety and policies.
Q: I’m not sure I want to be a volunteer, but I’d like to just try it for a day or so. Can I do that?
A: The best way to see if volunteering at the Humane Society is to visit us! Come down and see what we’re all about, view our facility, and meet our wonderful staff. Then decide if you want to go the next step in becoming a volunteer.
Q: My 15 year old daughter wants to volunteer at the Humane Society. Can I drop her off, or do I need to be there too?
A: Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. In addition, anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the volunteer application.
Q: My children are ages 6, 9 and 11 and I’d love to teach them the responsibility of giving back to their community. Is volunteering at HSGC a good place for us to do that?
A: Absolutely! We ask that each and every family member interested in volunteering attend the training. We can’t emphasize enough the importance of everyone who will be handling animals receive proper training. Even the youngest of your family will find this informative and educational.
Q: My son is 18 and my daughter is 11. We all signed up as volunteers, but I’m not able to come as often as I’d like. Can my 18 year old bring my 11 year old without me?
A: That’s fine! However, you must be the parent/guardian who has signed the application for your 11 year old. *(Unless an 18 year old is designated as the parent/guardian, the parent must always have their signature on the application).
Q: The application says I need medical insurance. Why?
A: This new policy has been adopted because of our liability requirements. In case you were to be injured, we must be assured that you will be able to obtain proper medical care. We have had instances of people getting a bite and thinking “Oh, it’s just a cat bite”. They don’t seek medical attention, and end up with serious complications and spending time in the hospital.
Q: I can’t afford Medical insurance, but I still want to volunteer! What can I do?
A: We understand that not everyone has medical coverage. However, due to our liability issues, we must hold firm to this rule.
Q: I’m just bringing in my school group for a tour. Does each child need to show proof of medical insurance?
A: No, but we do ask that a “Group Waiver” is signed by the supervising adult when your group arrives. Proof of medical insurance is only necessary if you are a volunteer.
Q: I’m allergic to cats but my 10 year old desperately wants to volunteer at HSGC. Can I just sit in the lobby while she plays with the cats?
A: Unfortunately, no. For safety purposes, we need the child to be monitored at all times while on HSGC premises.
Q: I’ve got a scout troop that needs to earn a badge for pet care. Can they come in and volunteer to play with the animals for a while?
A: We offer a wonderful opportunity for scout troops to come in and learn about our shelter animals and facility through a presentation (reservation required). During the presentation, they will be able to have supervised time with the animal(s) to earn their badge.
Q: I can’t attend any of the training sessions because it conflicts with my work schedule. Any solutions?
A: We offer training sessions on specific Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. We will try to vary the training sessions to make it as flexible as possible for our volunteers. We apologize that we cannot accommodate everyone’s schedule.
Q: What times can I volunteer, and do I need to arrange a time with you before I come in?
A: The times you can volunteer are:
Monday-Friday 12:00-6:00
Saturday 12:00-3:30
Sunday Closed
You do not need to call ahead to volunteer.
Q: What days and times do you need the most help?
A: Any day or time that works for you is fine with us. Generally, Saturdays are very busy for both customers and volunteers. If you want to walk dogs, it’s probably best Mon-Fri.
Q: I’m a student who is doing volunteer hours for school credit. How do I prove I was there?
A: Be sure to ask for a student service hours slip at the front desk before you leave. They will sign your sheet for you to show your school.
** It will be the student’s responsibility to keep track of their slips. We do not have duplicate copies.**
