Volunteering
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Here at SHS, we have several volunteer opportunities for all ages!
Socialization is very important for animals in a shelter environment. Whether they are surrendered by their owners or found as a stray, they are all equally as scared and nervous entering this new space, no matter how nice the conditions. Having volunteers to help them with this transition is very important.
We have a beautiful field on the premises for long walks, along with several pens to let the pups run around, getting some of that energy out! Fundraisers are always in need of volunteers, whether it be at our famous Kissing Booth or at the Mother's Day Plat Sale, we always need new, smiling faces to join the team! Can't have pets full time but want to be a foster parent? Maybe you need community service for school?! There are SO many options! Don't forget to submit a Volunteer Application to get the process started!
Dog Walking
Outdoor play is essential for great mental health! We are excited to have two large, outdoor pens for volunteers to exercise the dogs in our care, as well as a large field on the property for nice, long walks on a leash! You must be 18 years or older to walk dogs. Anyone under 18 years can accompany of age dog walkers. We require training for all dog walkers prior to starting. In this trai
Socialization and Enrichment
Socializing and enrichment are two of the most important volunteer jobs at SHS! Whether it be sitting in a cat room grooming a kitty or doing clicker training with a pup who needs some extra attention, EVERY little bit helps! With the hustle and bustle of the shelter environment, staff does not always have a chance to spend one-on-one time with the pets awaiting their new homes every day. This is why volunteers are SO important! Come sit with a litter of puppies or a room full of kittens, eager to play and give love. Come whisper sweet nothings to a scared, feral kitty. Come show a homeless pet that YOU care; That humans are kind. All it takes is 30 minutes in your local shelter to make a difference to one pets life. Be the difference, come volunteer today!
Morning Cleaning
Sometimes, we have LOTS of animals that need cleaning, making it hard for staff to get to other necessary parts of shelter work! Volunteers can schedule morning shifts to come help with cleaning the dog kennels or the community cat rooms! This can be a messy task, so please dress accordingly.
Events and Fundraisers
We are always looking for happy volunteers to help at events and fundraisers! There are many different events and fundraisers we hold yearly that we will need volunteers for. Setting up/breaking down booths at events, baking for bake sales and cookie sales, selling raffle tickets, making posters/signage for events, helping at spay and neuter clinics-the opportunities are ENDLESS!
General Cleaning/Upkeep
On busy days, it is great to have volunteers that want to do some grunt work! These tasks are simple and easy to manage, making them great for all ages! Some of these tasks would include: laundry, filling enrichment toys, cutting hot dogs and cheese sticks for enrichment toys, filling kongs, filling cow hooves, filling freezable treat trays, washing windows and other tasks needed that day.
Gardening
Do you enjoy gardening? We have some flower beds that need some loving attention. We have some supplies, and you're welcome to come work on this whenever you'd like - just take our Intro to the Shelter course first, and then enjoy gardening for the animals!
Rent-a-Rover
Get a dog out of the shelter and out on the town! Love to hike? Hiking is always more fun with a canine! Grabbing an ice cream cone on a hot, summer day? They make doggie cones, too!! Love to cruise the beautiful, Vermont scenery? Furry co-pilots are the best! This program allows approved volunteers to help shelter dogs in a unique way! Getting out of the shelter and having a change of scenery, can relieve more stress than you can imagine! Talk to a staff member on how to become part of this special program!