The Marin Humane Society

Adult Opportunities

The availability of some volunteer opportunities changes monthly. Please check the descriptions below for more information.

Adoption Counselor
Adoption Outpost Lead Volunteer
Animal Care Assistant
Auxiliary Thrift Shop Salesperson
Cat Behavior Volunteer
Customer Service Greeter
Dog Behavior Volunteer
Dog Training Assistant
Education Docent
Foster Care
Pet Pal - Cats
Pet Pal - Dogs
Pet Pal - Small Companion Animals
SHARE - Animal Assisted Therapy
SHARE - SHARE a Book
SHARE - Side-by-Side
Special Events Volunteer

Adoption Counselor
Find lifelong, loving homes for shelter animals by interviewing, evaluating and matching prospective adopters with the right animal for their family.

Time Commitment

Weekly 4 hour shift
Staff meetings and seminars

Qualifications

Prior customer service experience a plus
Must enjoy working with both adults and children
Good problem solving skills
Interest in educating public on pet care
Previous animal handling experience
Ability to handle strong, energetic dogs
Able to lift 50 lbs

Training Requirements

Interview with Adoption staff
2 days of observation at adoption desk
Pet Pal Training – dogs, cats and SCAs
12-16 week apprenticeship – primarily shadowing senior volunteer

Duties

Greet the public, answer phones, maintain files
Evaluate and match adopters with shelter pets
Handle cats/dogs and small companion animals
Provide education on care, handling and behavior

Adoption Outpost Lead Volunteer
Take adoption animals out into the community to meet the public and perhaps their new family! Adoption Outpost locations include The Town Center and The Village shopping centers in Corte Madera, and downtown Mill Valley.

Time Commitment

6 hour shift off-site at various locations in Marin, 1 to 4 times a month

Qualifications

Reliable
Good people skills
Excellent dog handling skills
Ability to lead team of volunteer
Clean driving record and willingness to drive MHS van

Training Requirements

Pet Pal Training
On-the-job training

Duties

Selecting animals for Outpost event
Driving van to and from event
Supervising volunteer team at Outpost event
Interacting with the public and adoption animals
Educating the public regarding MHS services and programs

Animal Care Assistant
Care for shelter animals by feeding and grooming them, cleaning cages and assisting with various kennel duties.

Time Commitment

2-4 hours per week

Qualifications

Experience handling a variety of animals
Energetic
Able to lift 50 pounds
Comfortable bending, squatting, kneeling

Training Requirements

On-the-job training; the length of training will depend on your experience

Duties

Assist Animal Care Technicians in working with a variety of animals

Heavy cleaning, stock supplies, laundry, wash dishes and litter pans, hose dog runs, clean cat and small animal cages, record vital information

Auxiliary Thrift Shop Salesperson
Volunteer as a salesperson in this busy San Anselmo store. Proceeds support the MHS's Spay/Neuter Clinic.

Time Commitment

One day a month (11am to 4pm) at the shop in San Anselmo

Qualifications

Good customer service skills
Retail experience helpful, but not necessary

Training Requirements

On-the-job training

Duties

Sales
Cashiering
Pricing stock as it arrives
Stock tables and shelves as needed

Cat Behavior Volunteer
Help people resolve common cat behavior issues by responding to questions via telephone and email. If you love cats and are a good listener, this may be the spot for you!

Time Commitment

2 hours per week

Qualifications

Knowledge of cats is helpful
Good communication skills
Interest in learning about cat behavior
Proficient on the computer – data entry

Training Requirements

On-the-job training with cat behaviorist

Duties

Follow up on behavior consults
Office work to include: retrieving voicemail, data entry, filing, copying etc.

Customer Service Greeter
Welcoming people to MHS is an important job. For many visitors, walking into the shelter is their first contact with us. The greeter provides assistance and direction to the public in a friendly and positive manner.

Time commitment

4 hour weekly shift

Qualifications

Excellent communication skills
Experience working in customer service helpful
Basic computer skills
Bilingual a plus
Positive, outgoing, willing to take initiative
Minimum age 18 years

Training Requirements

Interview with Customer Service Supervisor
Observe 2 shifts in Customer Service Department
On-the-job training by Customer Service staff
6-month minimum good faith commitment

Duties

Meet and greet shelter visitors; provide assistance in friendly and positive manner
Distribute information to visitors
Direct visitors to appropriate staff/department; answer questions, receive questions, comments and concerns
Monitor visitors and notify staff of any visitor problems, needs, questions or concerns

Dog Behavior Volunteer
Take this opportunity to learn more about animal behavior by assisting in private dog consultations, observing temperament evaluations and learning specific behavior modification and training techniques.

Time Commitment

4 hours per week on a regularly scheduled shift
Attend meetings and seminars

Qualifications

Interest in learning about animals and their behavior
Proficiency on the computer and have regular access to email
Physically able to take notes by hand for up to 90 minutes
Able to restrain a 60 pound dog
Enjoy working with people – good customer service skills

Training Requirements

Meet with Behavior Volunteer Coordinator
One-on-one training/shadowing with a senior volunteer

Duties

Assist in behavior consults
Perform office tasks
Assist with shelter dog evaluations
Behavior modification and training of specific shelter dogs

Dog Training Assistant
Assist trainers in different levels of dog training classes and help guardians and their pets become better companions for one another.

Time Commitment

1.5 hours per week minimum (one dog training class)

Qualifications

Excellent customer service and people skills
Desire to learn dog training methods and educate the public
Ability to lift and move heavy agility equipment
Comfortable standing for 1.5 hours on cement floor; physically able to kneel, bend and jog
Some dog training experience helpful

Training Requirements

Observe a dog training class
Attend DTA orientation meeting
Shadow a senior volunteer in a 6-week dog training class

Duties

Assist Instructor prior to, during and after class
Work one on one with clients and their dogs
Learn to use various training equipment/tools

Education Docent
Educate children by bringing humane programs into the classroom. Tour Guides and Special Event volunteers are also needed.

Time Commitment

As needed

Qualifications

Experience working with children and/or education experience
Willingness to learn
Strong presentation skills
Knowledge of basic animal welfare issues
Experience handling animals a plus

Training Requirements

Interview with Education staff
Attend training orientation and meetings
Shadow other docents
Selected reading/videos

Duties

Conduct tours of MHS
Lead classroom presentations at Marin County Schools
Conduct children’s birthday parties at MHS

Foster Care
Provide shelter for sick, injured or very young animals in your home. Food, supplies and medical care are provided by MHS.

Time Commitment

As needed

Qualifications

Love for and patience with sick, injured and young animals
Animal experience preferred
Separate room in home for foster
Resident animals must be fully vaccinated
Ability to adjust your schedule to meet the needs of the animal
Ability to recognize animals in need of medical attention

Training Requirements

Meet with Foster Coordinator to discuss program and sign agreement
Review information and care handbook

Duties

Provide care for sick, injured, or very young animals in your home
Communicate promptly and clearly with Foster Program Coordinator with any questions or concerns

Pet Pal - Cats
Do you love felines? Spend a couple of hours each week socializing and entertaining cats of all sizes and ages while they await their “forever home”.

Time Commitment

2-4 hours per week on a regularly scheduled shift
Staff meeting and various seminars

Qualifications

2 years of cat handling experience
Enjoy working with both cats and people
Able to work independently
Good communication skills
Ability to lift 25 pounds comfortably as well as bending, reaching and squatting

Training Requirements

Attend Cat Pet Pal training

Duties

Socialize and groom cats
Provide daily written updates on cat temperament, personality, and noticeable medical issues
Answer questions about the cats in a positive and friendly manner

Pet Pal - Dogs
Help us keep the adoption dogs healthy and happy! Our volunteers work year-round, rain or shine, exercising and socializing the adoption dogs. This physical job will give you a good workout, too.

Time Commitment

2-4 hours per week

Qualifications

Previous experience handling dogs
Physical ability to restrain 60 pound dog
Physical ability to move easily in and out of dog runs, including stepping, squatting and kneeling
Able to follow detailed procedures
Able to work independently

Training Requirements

Attend Dog Pet Pal training
Work with senior volunteer mentors a minimum of 2 sessions

Duties

Exercise and socialize adoption dogs
Report any medical or behavioral issues to Adoption Supervisor
Commitment to weekly shift, regardless of weather

Pet Pal - Small Companion Animals
Did you know that working with small companion animals like rabbits, rats and guinea pigs will lower your blood pressure? Learn how to handle these little critters, then sign up to volunteer and get rid of stress at the same time!

Time Commitment

1-2 hours per week

Qualifications

Experience handling small companion animals
Able to work independently
Willing to clean and organize animal housing area
Good communication skills

Training Requirements

Attend SCA Pet Pal Training
Read literature on handling

Duties

Socializing, cleaning and grooming small companion animals

SHARE Program - Animal Assisted Therapy
Share your animal companion by visiting senior communities, convalescent centers, hospitals, schools and libraries.

Time Commitment

2-4 visits per month

Qualifications

Love for both people and animals

Animal Qualifications

Dogs must successfully complete “Your dog to SHARE” class
Other pets will fulfill requirements of a temperament and behavior screening
All pets must be spayed or neutered

Duties

The AAT team visits community facilities including senior residential programs, hospitals, special care facilities, special day programs in schools and homebound individuals

SHARE Program - SHARE a Book – AAT
Watch children improve their reading skills, develop confidence and build self-esteem while they read to you and your companion dog. A love for working with children and animals is a must.

Time commitment

2-4 visits per month

Qualifications

Love for both people and animals
Understanding of literacy skills and reading with children

Animal Qualifications

Dogs must successfully complete “SHARE a Book” class
Other pets will fulfill requirements of a temperament and behavior screening
All pets must be spayed or neutered

Duties

The SHARE a Book team visits school classrooms or reading/resource rooms, libraries, book fairs, read-a-thons and programs scheduled at MHS

SHARE Program - Side-by-Side
Help seniors and people with disabilities care for their companion animals in their homes.

Time Commitment

As needed, weekly or monthly

Qualifications

Desire to work with individuals and the pets
Good “people” skills

Training Requirements

One-hour Share introduction meeting
Additional training to fulfill pet care responsibilities

Duties

Assist seniors, AIDS patients, and Hospice clients with the care of their pets. Needs will vary depending on the individual situation. For example, providing transportation to and from vet, walking/exercising dogs, bathing animals, delivering pet food and supplies

Special Events Volunteer
Special events help support the programs and services at MHS. If you have experience planning and executing special events, we can use your help.

Time Commitment

As needed, including nights and weekends

Qualifications

Desire to work in the planning stages of special events
Previous event planning experience required
Computer literate and email access required

Training Requirements

On the job training

Duties

Planning and procuring items for special events – silent auction items, benefit drawing items, food and drink, sponsors, entertainment, data entry/ticketing