Thanks for your interest in volunteering!
Unfortunately, due to the current mandates and recommendations by the State of Michigan regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, HSWM is not accepting new volunteers at this time, however, you can still take a dog for Dog Day Out.
Updates on this situation will be shared as we gather more information on how to proceed.
Unfortunately, due to the current mandates and recommendations by the State of Michigan regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, HSWM is not accepting new volunteers at this time, however, you can still take a dog for Dog Day Out.
Updates on this situation will be shared as we gather more information on how to proceed.
Volunteer
The human compassion we have for our animal friends is almost immeasurable. A perfect example is shown in the hundreds of volunteers who give their time and energy to Humane Society of West Michigan every single year.
If you too are interested in volunteering with us, thank you. Your efforts will be greatly rewarded. No matter how you volunteer, you will play an important role in helping shelter animals find their forever homes.
If you too are interested in volunteering with us, thank you. Your efforts will be greatly rewarded. No matter how you volunteer, you will play an important role in helping shelter animals find their forever homes.
Regularly Scheduled Volunteers:
In order to become a volunteer at HSWM, we ask that you make a commitment of at least (2) hours a week. All volunteers must attend a new-volunteer orientation and training. Please see below for available volunteer positions!
How to Start Volunteering:
All volunteer orientations are suspended until further notice due to COVID-19.
All new volunteers must participate in a volunteer orientation. Orientations are offered monthly and are filled on a first come, first serve basis. All dates fall on a Monday unless otherwise noted.
Orientation and training are required before you can begin volunteering.
Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older prior to the orientation in order to become a regular volunteer.
All new volunteers must participate in a volunteer orientation. Orientations are offered monthly and are filled on a first come, first serve basis. All dates fall on a Monday unless otherwise noted.
Orientation and training are required before you can begin volunteering.
Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older prior to the orientation in order to become a regular volunteer.
Volunteer Positions:
Dog Volunteer: Come in and socialize, walk, and enrich the lives of shelter dogs
Cat Volunteer: Socialize and pet shelter cats. Help cats de-stress
Small Animal Volunteer: Socialize rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals
Adoption Counselor: Work with all animals and become a matchmaker between pets and humans
Other: Administration help, data entry, help with laundry, greeting, vaccine clinics and so much more
Cat Volunteer: Socialize and pet shelter cats. Help cats de-stress
Small Animal Volunteer: Socialize rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals
Adoption Counselor: Work with all animals and become a matchmaker between pets and humans
Other: Administration help, data entry, help with laundry, greeting, vaccine clinics and so much more
Volunteer as a Group:
Events Include:
- Behind-the scenes tour of facility
- Service Project (Can include laundry, ground maintenance, or general cleaning)
- Animal encounters (Contingent on what animals are available)
Guidelines:
- Reservation: Please schedule at least 1 month in advance
- Reservation Fee: $50 donation per each visit; Changes to reservations must be made 48 hours before the event.
- Maximum Group Size: 10 people (Some exceptions can be made)
- Availability: Monday – Friday 9AM – 5PM
To book or inquire about a group volunteer opportunity, please email Kelsey at kbockelman@hswestmi.org
Immediate Volunteer Opportunities:
Dog Day Out:
Not able to commit to a regular volunteering schedule but still want to help? Consider taking a dog for a Dog Day Out! You and a friend can take a dog out of the shelter for a 1-2 hour field trip and capture tons of pictures and videos to share! Must have two participants to be eligible!
If riding in a car, one adult will need to sit in the backseat with the animal. At least one participant must be over 18 years of age. Families welcome!
To get signed up for your Dog Day Out please email Jaime at jritenburgh@hswestmi.org
Reading Buddies:
This program has been suspended until further notice due to COVID-19. Stay tuned for details on when this program may be available again!
Not able to commit to a regular volunteering schedule but still want to help? Consider taking a dog for a Dog Day Out! You and a friend can take a dog out of the shelter for a 1-2 hour field trip and capture tons of pictures and videos to share! Must have two participants to be eligible!
If riding in a car, one adult will need to sit in the backseat with the animal. At least one participant must be over 18 years of age. Families welcome!
To get signed up for your Dog Day Out please email Jaime at jritenburgh@hswestmi.org
Reading Buddies:
This program has been suspended until further notice due to COVID-19. Stay tuned for details on when this program may be available again!
Do it Yourself Service Projects:
Students who are interested in earning service learning hours but are not interested in our Youth Programs can organize one of the following donation drives to earn service learning hours.
Item Drive: With permission from a parent/guardian and your school you can set up a donation drive for items needed for our shelter animals. Items that Humane Society of West Michigan is in need of can be found on our wish list. Items in BOLD are in high demand. Once items have been collected you can donate them to Humane Society of West Michigan's shelter pets. Students MUST keep a log of all hours in order to earn service learning hours. The hours need to be approved by a humane educator and a parent/guardian or teacher.
Change War: With permission from a parent/guardian and your school arrange a change war between you and your classmates. Once all the change has been collected, the money can be donated to Humane Society of West Michigan's shelter pets. Students MUST keep a log of all hours in order to earn service learning hours. The hours need to be approved by a humane educator and a parent/guardian or teacher.
DIY projects: If you are more hands on and crafty you can make feral cat housing units. Students MUST keep a log of all hours in order to earn service learning hours. The hours need to be approved by a humane educator and a parent/guardian or teacher.
Dropping off donations: Once the donation drive has been completed students can drop off their donations during our open business hours, Tuesday-Friday 12-7PM and Saturday-Sunday 11-4PM. No appointment needed.
Monetary donations of $100 or more can be picked up by Humane Society of West Michigan's humane educator and will include a presentation about our shelter along with a visit from one of our humane education dogs. Humane education dogs are Canine Good Citizen certified by an AKC certified trainer.