Become a Volunteer

Volunteers support nearly every area of our work. Together, we are creating a safe haven. It is our goal that every pet in the shelter gets a minimum of 20 minutes of human contact daily. Studies have shown that 20 minutes of human contact daily can make a difference in the life of a pet. It decreases the pet's anxiety, which can cut down stress-related illnesses and make them 'show' better to potential adopters. Your help in the shelter can and does, make a world of difference for the animals.

SHELTER CREW
Help with all aspects of the shelter including cleaning, giving out toys and treats, laundry, washing of dishes and litter boxes, and more!

MORNING DOG WALKING
Morning dog walkers come to the shelter starting at 7am and help our kennel staff take each dog for their morning walk before they get breakfast. As you walk the dogs, kennel staff are cleaning their kennels and moving them to new ones. You will be trained to walk the dogs in a specific way, that every volunteer and staff member is taught for consistency and to help with training.

AFTERNOON & EVENING DOG WALKING
These dog walkers come to the shelter during our public hours and walk the dogs to keep them active and socialized. You will be trained to walk the dogs in a specific way, that every volunteer and staff member is taught for consistency and to help with training.

SMALL ANIMAL SOCIALIZATION
Work with the small animals so they stay socialized while at the shelter.

CAT CUDDLING & SOCIALIZATION
Work with the cats so they stay socialized while at the shelter.

MATCHMAKERS
Every volunteer also has the potential to be matchmaker! This means helping pre-screened adopters find the perfect animal for their home.

EVENT HOPPER
You will help with event preparations including mailings, donations, errands and distribution of marketing materials.

SHELTER AMBASSADORS**
Ambassadors are volunteers who help us at our public events! You are the face of our volunteers and representatives of the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society. It is required that you know basic facts about the shelter, are reliable and have a positive attitude. Events happen throughout the year. Some events may require extra training sessions.

BATH BUDDIES**
This program requires an extra training session with one of our volunteer groomers. The groomers that lead these classes are professionally trained. Those that participate in the Bath Buddies program will be trained to help with basic grooming including baths and brushing.

DOG TRAINING**
This program requires an extra training session with our staff dog trainer. The dog training program is in its second year at SFAHS! The program helps the dogs learn basic manners, good leash walking skills and other good behaviors to help them get adopted faster! This is the base training method we use at the shelter and apply it as an overall training. We modify as needed for each dog's learning style and behavior. Our staff trainer is the only handler that leads this class, for consistency.

(**These positions may require extra training sessions)

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• Must be 16 years of age or older to become a registered volunteer.
• Must complete volunteer orientation.
• Volunteers must read and comprehend detailed policy and protocol information and remember and follow shelter rules.
• Human interaction is a requirement of all volunteer roles. Volunteers must always communicate professionally.
• Most volunteer roles require volunteers to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, reach and lift, possess vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, and depth perception, and speak to customers, employees and other volunteers.
• We do not offer court-ordered or diversion program volunteering, due to liability conflicts. This includes any volunteering that has been ordered, recommended, or required by a parole officer, judge, teen court, halfway housing, juvenile detention center, etc.
• Because training new volunteers requires an investment of time and the animals are depending on you, we do require volunteers to be able to make at least a six month commitment to work directly with the shelter pets, with a minimum of 4 volunteer hours each month. 
• PLEASE BE AWARE that the SFAHS is a busy working environment, where pet allergens, cleaning agents and high noise levels exist. Critters may jump on you, leave muddy paw prints, and could scratch or bite. Although not all jobs require hands-on involvement with shelter animals, you will almost certainly be working near dogs, cats and other small animals.

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1. VOLUNTEER APPLICATION. Volunteer applications can be found at the front desk in the lobby of the SFAHS. You must fill out the application thoughtfully and in its entirety to be considered.
2. PROCESSING & APPROVAL. Your application will be submitted to the volunteer coordinator for processing and approval. If you are approved, you will be contacted to set up a time to attend a volunteer orientation. If you are not approved, you will be contacted as well. We receive many applications each day and will process as quickly as we can. If you have not heard back about your application after 3-4 weeks, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator.
3. ORIENTATION. After your application has been approved, you will need to attend a volunteer orientation before you are able to start volunteering. This will give you the opportunity to hear more about the shelter, the volunteer program, and expectations, as well as a tour of the facility. You may only attend orientation if your application has been approved. You will receive your name badge and your volunteer punch-in number at orientation.
4. VOLUNTEER! Welcome to the SFAHS Volunteer Program! If you have any questions while you are volunteering, we are here to answer those for you. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to staff and ask for help.

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Sound like you would be a fit? Fill out an application.
Applications can be found at the front desk in the lobby of the SFAHS.
You must fill out your application thoughtfully and in full to be considered.

For questions, please see our Volunteer FAQ.
ON BEHALF OF THE STAFF AND THE ANIMALS, THANK YOU, WOOF AND MEOW!