Humane Society of the Palouse, Inc. -- Moscow, Idaho

Volunteering At the Shelter

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

-Dr. Seuss in "The Lorax"

The Humane Society is always happy to have volunteers come out and help care for our animals. The animals like new faces as well. When you volunteer, you may be asked to do any number of things, such as cleaning, feeding, watering, and socializing the shy and sometimes withdrawn animals at the shelter. As you will learn, a lot of the animals (especially dogs) are abandoned, abused, or both. These animals need time and love to come out of their shell and sometimes the staff doesn't have enough time to work with these animals one-on-one every day.

To volunteer, just come to the shelter any day that we are open and tell a staff member that you would like to volunteer. We will be glad to have you! We are extremely grateful for your caring concern and interest in the animals.

Guidelines for Volunteers

Check in with a staff person upon arrival.
The staff person will assign you to do something from the following list:

Walking dogs

Socializing with a shy or abused animal (we will never place you with an animal that is dangerous)

Washing litter or food pans

Cleaning cages or kennels

Sweeping or mopping floors

Washing windows, walls, etc.

Various other duties

3. While at the shelter, listen to what the staff member advises you to do. The staff member is responsible for your actions, so please do as instructed.

4. You might hear and see many things while you are at the shelter, including animals having to be euthanized, stories about people abusing their animals and many other issues.

5. You aren't to speak for the Humane Society of the Palouse, Inc. concerning its animals, policies and procedures, or other matters involving the Humane Society. These matters will be handled strictly by the staff or Board of Directors.

6. The sick/isolation room is off limits unless otherwise instructed by a staff member. You must follow all of our disease control procedures. This is for your safety, as well as the safety of the animals at the shelter and in your own home.

Additional Guidelines for our Younger Volunteers

These rules are in place for your safety and the safety and well being of our animals. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask a staff member.

Check in with staff upon arrival.
You must be at least 12 years old to volunteer with a parent, 16 years old to volunteer alone.
You must be able to control the dogs you walk and spend at least half your time with the one you pick before getting another dog. And you must pick up after your dog on the city street.
Always leave your work area clean, don't make the staff pick up after you.
If you see a customer who needs assistance, please alert the staff. Do not ever attempt to answer questions yourself.
Customer service comes first. If we are busy with someone and you need to speak with us, please wait until we are finished. Do not interrupt.
Please stay out of the office and restricted areas.
Please don't answer the phone.
If an animal needs special attention (fighting, nails needing to be clipped, or worse), please do not attempt to solve the problem yourself, but get a staff member to help.

There is a 3-strikes rule! If we have to remind you about following these rules three times, you will not be allowed to return to volunteer without a parent.

PARENTS: There is an accepted level of risk when your children volunteer at the Humane Society. There are loose dogs and cats in the shelter during working hours. Your child has the potential to be bitten and/or scratched. We have limited staffing and will not be watching your children. If they aren't aware of how to read animal posture, or behave appropriately with the animals, they are at high risk of being injured. Most of the dogs and cats are friendly, but if cornered, struck or taunted, will defend themselves. Also, many of the dogs can be "mouthy" and will jump up and knock down smaller children. We ask that any child who cannot handle this responsibility not volunteer. If your child is allergic to animal dander they should not volunteer.

They're going to get dirty and hairy, but we hope they have fun!

*All adoptable (healthy and good-tempered) and treatable animals are adopted and euthanasia is reserved only for those animals who cannot be rehabilitated or have terminal illnesses or injuries.