Tour For Life 2010 - Thank you Humane Society Volunteers!

San Antonio Humane Society Volunteer Mission Statement
To provide support to the Humane Society Staff during their daily efforts to socialize with the many animals that are brought to us, maintain a clean, disease-free environment, and help find forever homes for the hundreds of homeless animals that are surrendered to us each year.

Orientation Date(s)
September orientation dates are FULL!
To reserve a spot in the next orientation with open seats, please e-mail the volunteer coordinator at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  once the dates are posted.

General Volunteer Information
All volunteers are required to attend the volunteer orientation. Dates are subject to change or a cancellation may occur. Orientation is open to anyone 16 years of age or older, and 12-15 years with a parent volunteer. Orientation requires a $25 fee per person. This covers your volunteer T-shirt or apron, badge, volunteer insurance coverage in case of injury, and your HS membership. A background check will be performed for all volunteers 18 years and older and you will need to have a social security number in order to volunteer. For further information about becoming a Humane Society volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (210) 226-7461 ext. 119, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions.

Ways to Volunteer

Kennels
Our kennel volunteers are responsible for socializing with our dogs, in addition to helping potential adopters select a new family member. Our kennel dogs love company, and like to stay active. They depend on our volunteers to take them out into our exercise yards to play a fun game of fetch, or for a nice walk around the shelter. Your efforts will help keep them healthy and looking good for potential adopters.

Kitty Cottage
Our cats and kittens need some help adjusting to their temporary shelter placement while they await a new home. Volunteers are encouraged to socialize with our cats and experience the abundant, spunky energy that our kittens possess. Never mind that old saying that cats are independent; our cats love the attention our volunteers provide.

Puppy Palace
Our Animal Care Staff depends on our volunteers to assist in providing for the daily needs of our ever-so-popular Puppy Palace. With all the excitement and traffic that goes through our Puppy Palace, volunteers are needed to maintain a clean, disease-free environment for our pups.

Clinic
Volunteers are needed to work with our clinic staff and help with the receiving of animals, cleaning the clinic area, and bathing the animals. As a clinic volunteer, you will be one of the first to bond with animals that are brought to us and reassure them that they have a bright and promising future to look forward to!

Front Desk & Offices
If your specialty is making copies, filing, and talking to people, then our very busy front desk and office staff need you. Front desk volunteers help staff manage the vast amounts of information and paperwork processed each day. Our office volunteers work in various departments and help with data entry, phone calls and mailings.

Photography
Do you have your own digital camera and memory cards?  Would you like to use your talents and equipment to help animals get adopted? Then we need you on our photography team! As a Humane Society photographer, you will take pictures of the animals in our shelter for our "Find a Companion" section on our website, and also write short descriptions on each animal to highlight their personalities and enhance their chances of finding their forever homes.

Special Events
Help our animals find loving homes by assisting our adoption counselors in taking pets to several locations throughout the county. We are looking for independent and outgoing volunteers to help distribute promotional materials, take photographs, sell tickets, help with setup & breakdown, and represent the Humane Society in a fun and professional manner.

Day Camps
Camp Humane is an educational camp where kids ages 8-13 have a chance to interact with and learn about animals and how to care for them.  Volunteers can also take part in this experience by signing up to be a Camp Counselor. Other volunteers, including help with photography and food service, are also needed. Camp Counselors must be able to commit to the full week of camp, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hand In Paw Day Camps are also starting soon. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for dates and in-depth information.

Community Service

Court-Ordered Community Service Hours
All court-ordered community service volunteers must be at least 16 years of age and be ordered to serve between 20-200 hours. These volunteers will be scheduled to work 10 hours per month at the Humane Society. The Volunteer Coordinator will need to be contacted for approval, and documentation must be provided stating the reasons for the community service order before attending the volunteer orientation. We regrettably cannot enroll those serving community service hours for felonies, violent crimes, or theft or drug charges.  If at any time the volunteer does not fulfill their 10 hours per month, they will be discontinued as a volunteer. If the volunteer is not present at their scheduled time and has not called or emailed the Volunteer Coordinator in advance to notify of their absence, a printout of the hours completed will be given to the volunteer and they will be suspended from the program.

School Community Service Hours
If you need school, church, NHS, or other organization hours, you will need to pay the $25 fee and attend the volunteer orientation. You will be required to volunteer at least 6 hours per month to be eligible for the program. Your hours must be scheduled with the Volunteer Coordinator to receive your credit for the month. Upon the completion of the monthly hours, a Community Service Request of Hours form must be submitted to the Volunteer Coordinator. A printout of hours or formal letter will be given to the volunteer and any required school paperwork will be signed. As long as a printout is not required, hour requirements will be deferred for the months of June, July, and August while school is not in session. If at anytime the volunteer does not fulfill their 6 hours per month, they will be discontinued as a volunteer.

Group Community Service Volunteering
If you have a group that would like to volunteer for a one-time community service project, all group members must be age 16 or older with supervisor in attendance. There may be 10-15 volunteers in one group. These projects are usually scheduled for at least 3 hours at a time. There is no animal participation.