Skip to main content

Volunteer FAQ

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

You must be 16 or older to be a regular volunteer and volunteer by yourself. Any volunteer under the age of 16 must be with an adult at all times. We welcome children, ages 6 and up, to volunteer, as long as they are accompanied at all times by a parent/guardian. If you are a parent/child team and interested in volunteering, we request that each of you fill out an application form.

I have a busy schedule. When are volunteers able to come in?

We have volunteer opportunities every day of the week and our Volunteer Coordinator will work with your schedule to find an opportunity that matches your skill set and availability!

What are the volunteer hours?

  • Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday 10am– 5pm
  • Thursday 10am – 7pm
  • Saturday 8am – 3pm
  • Sunday 8am – 12pm

I sent in my application. When can I start volunteering?

We must receive your completed volunteer application before you can attend an orientation. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed. You will be contacted to let you know whether or not you have been approved. Applications are reviewed bi-weekly, you might not be emailed right away after applying. If approved you will be invited to the next orientation (1 a month). Attending an orientation is mandatory for regular volunteers.

I need to do court appointed community service. What do you have available?

We can no longer accept volunteers that are seeking court appointed community service hours.

Can I get volunteer credit for my high school or college? Do I need to attend an orientation?

Yes, we can provide service hours on a case-by-case basis performing various tasks. You do not need to attend an orientation to volunteer for just a few hours, but you do need to fill out a volunteer application. *Please see attached document below for requirements.

These volunteer tasks are not hands on with the animals and typically involve cleaning, office work, etc. If your school has a program, we can sign off on the appropriate documentation provided by the volunteer after the community service has been completed.

Please Note: We request a minimum of 6 weeks notice for school credit, as our program schedule fills up quickly. We will do our best to accommodate your request for hours, but cannot guarantee availability. For more information, please contact our volunteer coordinators at 814-835-8331 or volunteer@eriehumanesociety.org.