Volunteer Opportunities

The Toledo Area Humane Society relies upon the time, energy, commitment and effort of volunteers.  There are many ways you can utilize your skills and compassion to make a difference in the lives of animals at our shelter and in our community.  Some volunteer activities involve direct contact with animals, but some do not.  All volunteer projects help to improve the quality of life for the animals in the Toledo area.  Here are just a few of the of the ways that you can help:

Animal Care Volunteers help provide a clean environment for the animals.  They assist with bathing, grooming, and socializing the animals in the shelter.  Animal Care Volunteers also assist with cleaning kennels, cages, laundry, dishes and a variety of other jobs that are a part of the shelters normal day to day activities.  Volunteers needed between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily.

Dog walkers are responsible for exercising the dogs in all types of weather, making sure that each dog is given appropriate socialization and stimulation as well as helping to maintain clean kennels.  Volunteers needed between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily.

Cat Cuddlers are important in the hands-on socialization and evaluation of the many cats housed in our facility.  They also assist in keeping our open cat rooms clean and free of clutter.  Volunteers needed between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily.

Special Event Volunteers help out as fundraising and public relations events.  These volunteers may help organize for staff our special events, many of which help us raise important funding needed to keep our facility running.  Opportunities occur on various days/times, many on weekends.

Canister Collection Volunteers help maintain our donation canisters located at various businesses in the community.  Canister volunteers collect the donations from specific canisters on a routine basis and deliver them to our office.  Collection times are flexible.

Foster Care Volunteers provide in-home care for animals who cannot be adopted immediately due to special needs such as illness, injury, or animals that are too young to be placed up for adoption.  TAHS provides all of the supplies and medical care necessary for its foster animals.  Volunteers are required to bring their foster animals into the shelter for their vaccination and medical updates.  Volunteer needs are sporadic and the length of the foster needed for each pet will vary.  Foster care can average anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months depending on the animals needs.

Education Volunteers assist the Education Coordinators with presentations on the humane treatment of animals, safety around animals, responsible pet ownership, and the importance of spaying and neutering pets.  Presentations are made in classrooms throughout Lucas County or at the Toledo Area Humane Society facility.  Volunteer needs will vary depending on program.  Programs are offered on mornings, evenings, and some weekends.

Adoption Volunteers are carefully screened and trained to assist potential adopters in choosing the right animal for their lifestyle.  These volunteers play a key role in finding forever homes for the animals.  Volunteers must have accrued a minimum number of volunteer hours before becoming eligible for adoption training.  Volunteers needed between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday.

Pet Therapy Visitation Volunteers take shelter animals to nursing homes or special care facilities to provide therapeutic visits for residents and to cultivate the natural bond between animals and people.  Volunteers needed primarily weekday mornings and afternoons.

TAHS Speakers Bureau provides a unique volunteer opportunity to individuals with public speaking skills and in-depth knowledge of the TAHS message of animal welfare.  Volunteers needed on request.