Thank you for your interest in Student Volunteer Opportunities!  Please find some commonly asked questions and answers below.

HOW OLD SHOULD I BE TO VOLUNTEER? 

Students 13-17 years old are allowed to volunteer at HSSV for limited roles. 

HOW MUCH TIME WILL BE REQUIRED?  

Shifts are after school from 3-5pm during the week and throughout the day on the weekends. We ask students to come in for a recurring shift once a week or once every other week. Student Volunteers commit to three months of volunteering, though often our student volunteers continue from one semester to the next.  

WILL I BE OFFERED TRAINING? DO I NEED EXPERIENCE?  

No experience is needed for most student volunteer roles at HSSV. All volunteers at HSSV are offered training for their role and also have a point of contact onsite in case questions arise while you are volunteering. All student roles at HSSV are defined in a written role-description and these will include information about the role and whether prior experience of any kind is required for applicants. 

DO YOU OFFER BIRTHDAY PARTIES OR SCOUT WORKSHOPS? 

HSSV is not able to provide birthday parties and scout workshops.  

WHEN DOES HSSV RECRUIT FOR STUDENT ROLES? 

At HSSV we recruit for student roles when we have an opening. Frequently this occurs near the beginning of the Fall and Spring Semester, as well as at the beginning of summer.  

WHAT KIND OF ROLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS? 

Students complete roles in many departments. Primarily though, our student volunteers help in our Animal Care and Enrichment department creating enrichment toys and tools for our animals. They also help us do laundry and wash dog and cat dishes. Some opportunities for students aged 14+ may be available in our Medical Department.  Volunteer roles and opportunities are expanding at HSSV, if you have a specific idea for a way you would like to help that falls outside of these categories, please email Volunteer@HSSV.org . 

PARENT-TEEN OPPORTUNITIES 

Want to help out around the shelter to support our animals by doing vital tasks like laundry and washing food bowls and preparing kennels for new guests? Parent-teen opportunities at HSSV are a great way to work together with your family to support our animal community at HSSV.  

Testimonials

“My interest in animals has increased and I’m not nervous around cats anymore!” —Nallely N.

“I have had such an amazing experience. There’s so much I can share now, with my friends and family and I hope all the animals I have come to love at HSSV will find a loving home.” —Katrina S.

“Overall, everything I learned gave me more of an understanding of why pets do the things they do.” —Gabriella Z.