Become A Volunteer

Join Our Cause, Get Involved

The Humane Society could not achieve its mission without the dedication of the more than 300 volunteers who donate their talent and time to our pets. We are an organization powered by volunteers – motivated, selfless individuals bound by a common love of animals. We require that all volunteers who participate in our program attend a training on how to safely interact with dogs and cats, and we do not let community members who have not attended an animal behavior training interact with HSMSC pets. If you have questions, please email Hillary Hooke at hhooke@memphishumane.org .  Thank you for your interest!

Who can volunteer?

We encourage everyone in our community who has a passion for animal welfare to check out our volunteer opportunities! However, due to the nature of some of our work, we do have age restrictions on who can volunteer. To be part of our dog walking and cat care programs, you must be 18 years or older, and have the ability to work with our volunteer shift schedule. Our student volunteer program is currently on pause as we evaluate the needs of our organization. Right now, the Humane Society is prioritizing long term volunteers, and we are most able to accommodate requests for volunteer hours when there will be an ongoing commitment. Please note that at this time we are unable to host volunteers who are 13 or younger who will not be accompanied at all times by a parent, caregiver or older sibling. 

When can I volunteer?

The Humane Society needs volunteers throughout the week – below is a brief outline of our dog walking and cat care schedules, which will give you an idea of when you can volunteer! Please note that if your schedule does not allow you to participate in one of the below opportunities, volunteering at the Humane Society might not be the right fit for you. 

Dog walking shifts: Monday – Saturday, 9am-11am, and 4pm-6pm. Sundays: new volunteers must check with Hillary before Sunday shifts.

Cat cleaning shifts: Monday-Sunday, 8:30am-10am.

Quick links:

Volunteer Dog Walker Application

Cat Care and General Volunteer Application