Frequently asked question about volunteering at the HSMC shelter

Do I need to call and schedule an appointment?

No, appointments are not necessary as long as you are not coming with a group. Individuals are welcome to stop by anytime the shelter is open to the public.

What will I be doing?

Volunteering at the HSMC shelter consists of socializing the animals. Basically, you will be walking the dogs and petting cats! We have a paid staff to take care of cleaning, feeding, bathing, etc. We depend on our volunteers to keep our animals happy until they find new homes.

My child has to do community service for school, can he/she volunteer at the shelter?

Yes. Please note though if your child is under the age of 16 they must be accompanied by a parent at all times. You cannot drop them off and pick them up a few hours later. Also, please know that children under 16 years of age cannot walk dogs.

Can I bring toys, treats, etc for the animals?

Yes, we only ask that you let us know what you have so that we can let you know if there are any animals who cannot have the treat you have brought. Some animals may have allergies or other medical issues that would prevent them from having a certain kind of treat. We also ask that catnip not be given to the cats.

I am a student leader and have a large group that needs community service hours, can we volunteer at the shelter?

You must call the shelter to schedule any groups of volunteers. Please note that groups must be kept to fewer than 4 people at a time. Groups must schedule their hours 5 days in advance to help us keep traffic to a minimum. Consider other ways to help us by checking out the volunteer page and clicking on the groups link.

How long do I have to stay?

We understand that everyone has a busy schedule- for that reason we do not have any scheduling requirements for individuals. Anytime you have free time you are welcome to stop by!

What should I wear?

We recommend you wear clothes that you are not afraid to get dirty! Tennis shoes are the best choice for walking dogs. For your safety we do not recommend shoes with slick bottoms or flip flops.

Can I bring my dog to the shelter while I am volunteering?

No

I have been ordered by a judge to do community service, can I volunteer at the shelter?

Not at this time