The following volunteer programs ARE RECRUITING at the October Orientations: Please check back soon for updated information!

The following volunteer programs ARE NOT RECRUITING at the October Orientations: Please check back soon for updated information!

General Guidelines

• Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age to serve their hours independently. Some departments require volunteers to be 18 years of age, please refer to the position descriptions for additional information or requirements.
• Volunteers 10-15 years of age may join our ‘Partner Up Program” and volunteer with a parent or relative that is at least 18 years or age or older in some of our programs. Both members of the Partner Up team must attend the Volunteer Orientation, interview, trainings, and must volunteer their time together. Please view the position descriptions for more information on age requirements. 
• We’re sorry- due to the nature of our services, children under 10 years of age are not allowed to volunteer at the animal shelter. Children may participate by providing foster care to an animal if their family joins the Foster Care program.

• Who can be a foster care volunteer?
• How do I become a foster volunteer?
• Do I need to provide any supplies?
• Do I need special skills or training to become a foster care volunteer?
• What types of animals need foster care?
• How long will I be fostering an animal, and what type of care is involved?

Who Can Be a Foster Care Volunteer? Our foster care volunteers come from all walks of life! No experience is necessary; we will train you! This program is perfect for families, college students seeking hands-on animal experience, busy professionals who can’t commit to pet guardianship, and senior citizens looking to put their experience to work. Foster volunteers must be willing and able to drive foster animals to the shelter at least weekly for regular health and behavior checkups.

How Do I Become a Foster Care Volunteer? Anyone interested in becoming a Foster Care home for the Larimer Humane Society must attend our volunteer orientation and the Foster Care training class within the same month. At the orientation, you will have the opportunity to sign up for an interview with the Foster Care Coordinator. Following the interview, you will be signed up to attend our Foster Care Introductory Training; this introductory training class will allow you to be added to the list of foster care volunteers. For more information, please email our Foster Care Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Do I Need to Provide Any Supplies? No. The shelter will provide you with all needed supplies including food, leashes, litterboxes, etc.; however, we do appreciate it if you are able to provide some supplies such as litter, leashes, etc. All items you purchase for foster animals are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. We do ask that you provide a spare bedroom or bathroom for your foster animal to live in. The shelter provides all veterinary care for foster animals.

Do I Need Special Skills or Training to Become a Foster Care Volunteer? Our program is designed to suit your experience and interest levels. Some animals require medications and veterinary treatment and some just need a warm place to stay. We’ll work with you and your comfort level, provide you with necessary training, and we’re always available to answer your questions. All new foster volunteers start with fairly low-maintenance foster animals and work their way up to the more time-intensive foster experiences, if they wish.

What Types of Animals Need Foster Care? Our most common foster animals are kittens with nursing queens, or weaned kittens and puppies that need a few weeks to grow strong before placement. We often have homeless adult cats and dogs suffering from treatable illnesses such as Upper Respiratory Infection or Kennel Cough, or animals recovering from surgery. On occasion, the foster animal may have been the victim of neglect or abuse and emotional as well as medical care will be needed. On occasion, we are in need of foster homes who can care for undersocialized small mammals (rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc.). The Society may also call upon foster volunteers to help reduce over-crowded conditions at the shelter.

How Long Will I be Fostering an Animal and What Type of Care is Involved? The average stay for a foster animal is three weeks, but some foster animals can require up to 3 months to recovery from injury or illness. Some foster animals, like newborn kittens, require round-the-clock care. Puppies and kittens need structured socialization and basic manners training. Others, such as hamsters or birds, simply need daily attention. We’ll arrange a foster care time commitment around your lifestyle, work schedule and vacation plans. The foster care department offers periodic educational seminars relating to many aspects of animal care including but not limited to cat enrichment, puppy raising, and rabbit care.

• Cat and dog bath wipes
• Hot dogs (non expired and non opened packages)
• Small and extra small nylon snap puppy collars