Steps to Volunteering
STEP 1: Review the volunteer requirements
- All volunteers are asked to make a minimum six-month commitment to the shelter.
- Please note that most shelter volunteer positions require a minimum of two hours of service per week. Please check the volunteer position descriptions for age and time requirements.
Volunteer Age Requirements:
- Volunteers between the ages of 10-15 are eligible to join our “Partner Up Program.” Partner-Up teams consist of at least one adult (parent, guardian or trusted family friend) age 18 years or over and the child. Adult and child volunteer together.
- Beginning at age 16, children may volunteer independently at the shelter in select departments without a parent or guardian.
- We’re sorry, but 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 an adult age 18 years or over joins the Foster Care program.
STEP 2: Sign up for orientation
At each volunteer orientation, we provide an overview of Larimer Humane Society’s programs and services, answer frequently asked questions about our shelter, review available volunteer opportunities, and provide animal handling training.
A $25 payment for your badge, t-shirt, materials, and training will be required during orientation sign-up. This payment is non-refundable unless your start of service is denied by Larimer Humane Society due to the inability to place you. If you are registering as a Partner-Up team, the parent/guardian and child must both register.
Please note, all volunteer positions are not always recruiting. Our shelter does not have the space to have large amounts of volunteers in each department. If there is a department that you are set on, please email Lori at volunteer@larimerhumane.org to check on its availability.
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS (NOTE: You must pre-register for volunteer orientation):
Upcoming Orientations:
Thursday, September 12th 5:30pm-7pm Sign up now
Tuesday, October 15th 5:30pm-7pm Sign up now
Wednesday, November 13th 5:30pm-7pm Sign up now
STEP 3: Interview
After attending one of our volunteer orientations, prospective volunteers will be invited to interview with one of our department supervisors to discuss personal goals, daily responsibilities, and whether or not the position is a proper fit for the volunteer depending on availability and interests. Additional information regarding the interview process will be provided at the orientation.
Available positions
Shelter volunteer
As a shelter volunteer you’ll work directly with the animals in our care. Opportunities include animal care and behavior/enrichment. Explore opportunities.
Position Descriptions:
Behavior and Enrichment Volunteer
Foster volunteer
As a foster volunteer, you’ll temporarily open your heart and home to an animal in need until it is ready for adoption. Become a foster volunteer.
Position Descriptions:
Local Animal Transport Volunteer
Multiple Animal Transport Volunteer
Community outreach, education, and special events volunteers
As a community outreach, humane education or special events volunteer, you’ll help generate awareness, educate kids and adults, and help raise money to support our mission.
Position Descriptions:
Special Event Project Assistant Volunteer
Disaster Animal Response Team (DART)
Larimer Humane Society is proud to be the number-one responder during emergencies for companion animals in Larimer County. As a DART volunteer, you’ll be there for people and their pets should disaster strike. Presently, the DART program is being reworked as a means to optimize our volunteer experience and our support to the community. Check back for updates!
Administrative volunteer
Administrative volunteers work closely with our administrative staff, learning valuable business skills while helping animals in need. Explore opportunities.
Position Descriptions:
Community service and Group projects
Larimer Humane Society offers one-time or short-term volunteer opportunities for those needing to fulfill court-mandated community service or wanting to schedule elective group service projects.
Position Descriptions:
Thanks to Larimer Humane Society, Charlie has entered our lives and truly completed our family – she means the world to us. –
Our Transfer Program Provides a Special Needs Dog with a Second Chance
Our Transfer Program Provides a Special Needs Dog with a Second Chance When Dolly came to Larimer Humane Society, it was clear that she would be a special case. At only two years old, this sweet Great Dane was partially blind and deaf, with signs of dental disease and a possible heart condition. With these physical problems, Dolly had some trouble perceiving the world around her, making her feel scared and vulnerable during her first few days at the shelter.
However, with time, Dolly warmed up and we began to see her friendly personality come to the surface. She started to come to the front of her kennel, tail wagging, ready for treats and attention. Still, even with her “gentle giant” disposition, we knew she would need a home that knew how to take care of her large breed and special needs.
Luckily, Larimer Humane Society has a fantastic transfer program, with strong relationships with other in-state shelters, breed specific rescues, and out-of-state programs. While we often transfer in animals that are having trouble being adopted in their own communities, we also transfer some animals out to places that are better equipped to handle their unique breed, needs, or personality. In Dolly’s case, we knew with the right support and care she could successful in a home setting and we wanted to give her a better chance of a “forever home” by placing her at an organization with programs already in place for individual needs.
Dolly didn’t have to wait long—within a few days we had a couple of trusted partners that wanted to take her in, and soon she was successfully transferred and put into a specially equipped foster family. Now, we are happy to report that she has found a forever family! Her new home is set up specifically for dogs with sight and hearing disabilities, with special scent markers to help her navigate, and she has plenty of dogs just like her to play with. Thanks to our wonderful transfer partners and our transfer program, Dolly has found a family that is truly perfect for her.
Our Transfer Program Provides a Special Needs Dog with a Second Chance
When Dolly came to Larimer Humane Society, it was clear that she would be a special case. At only two years old, this sweet Great Dane was partially blind and deaf, with signs of dental disease and a possible heart condition. With these physical problems, Dolly had some trouble perceiving the world around her, making her feel scared and vulnerable during her first few days at the shelter.
However, with time, Dolly warmed up and we began to see her friendly personality come to the surface. She started to come to the front of her kennel, tail wagging, ready for treats and attention. Still, even with her “gentle giant” disposition, we knew she would need a home that knew how to take care of her large breed and special needs.
Luckily, Larimer Humane Society has a fantastic transfer program, with strong relationships with other in-state shelters, breed specific rescues, and out-of-state programs. While we often transfer in animals that are having trouble being adopted in their own communities, we also transfer some animals out to places that are better equipped to handle their unique breed, needs, or personality. In Dolly’s case, we knew with the right support and care she could successful in a home setting and we wanted to give her a better chance of a “forever home” by placing her at an organization with programs already in place for individual needs.
Dolly didn’t have to wait long—within a few days we had a couple of trusted partners that wanted to take her in, and soon she was successfully transferred and put into a specially equipped foster family. Now, we are happy to report that she has found a forever family! Her new home is set up specifically for dogs with sight and hearing disabilities, with special scent markers to help her navigate, and she has plenty of dogs just like her to play with. Thanks to our wonderful transfer partners and our transfer program, Dolly has found a family that is truly perfect for her.
