Volunteer Opportunities
Animal and Shelter Care
Lend a hand by helping MHS care technicians provide the very best care for our animals. Extensive cleaning of kennels, cages, catillions, etc. takes place between the hours of 7:00am and 11:30am throughout the week. General facilities cleaning, laundry and dishes is ongoing and help is always much appreciated.
Visit, play, and socialize with our resident felines. Take a cat who lives in a Tokyo cage or "townhouse" into a visiting room to "spread their paws", or hang out with the colonized cats in one of our catillions. With over 80 cats available for adoption, you are sure to discover a fabulous feline friend while playing a vital role is helping adopters find their perfect cat companion.
Take a shelter dog for a long walk, play a game of fetch, or simply relax in a visiting room with a canine companion. You are sure to make a new best friend in no time!
Volunteers interested in working with dogs are required to complete the Canine Safe-Handling & Enrichment training in order to learn how to safely handle and interact with shelter dogs, outfit dogs with proper equipment, as well as provide appropriate enrichment and socialization.
Animal Training and Enrichment
Further your knowledge of and interest in animal training by working one-on-one with MHS training and behavioral staff and/or attending a shelter dog training class at the Training Center. Enrich the lives of shelter cats by engaging them in fun clicker-training sessions-you'd be amazed at the things a cat will do for a small bite of tuna! By learning positive reinforcement training methods, Volunteers can enhance the lives of our shelter dogs and cats.
Adoption Counseling
Help an animal find his or her forever home! Visit with and counsel potential adopters to facilitate sending our animals home. Assist Adopiton Coundelors with front desk services including: answering the telephone, processing applications and completing adoptions.
Foster Family
Foster families play a very important role at MHS-opening up their homes to litters of kittens, pregnant mother cats, timid cats and dogs, and injured animals seeking quiet respite. By providing quality care, socialization, and lots of TLC, foster families help enrich the lives of our animals by helping to ready them for adoption.
Become a foster parent today! Call the Program Coordinator, 603-352-9011, ext. 147, to request an application or simply stop by the Adoption and Learning Center to pick one up.
Facilities and Landscaping
MHS is always looking for Volunteers with a green thumb or just a general interest in helping to keep our facility clean, safe, and beautiful. Ways in which Volunteers can help include: planting flowers, raking walking trails, recycling, painting, or decorating for the holidays.
Administrative Assistance and Events
Have some free time on your hands? Come in and help with a variety of administrative projects and office tasks, and later, get to know the MHS staff over a cup of herbal tea or coffee. Enjoy planning, organizing, working with a team, and meeting new people? MHS has many opportunities for Volunteers interested in helping to facilitate special events including our annual Walk for Animals.
Other ways to participate
- The public is ALWAYS welcome to visit and socialize with available shelter animals during our open hours.
- Come and take a shelter dog for a walk on a nice afternoon or visit with the cats in our catillions!
- Contact the Program Coordinator to set up an educational program with your classroom, church or other organization!
- Take a look at our Wish List and hold a fundraiser or donation drive to help support the homeless animals of the Monadnock Region.
- Be a voice for the homeless animals! Come see us and find out why MHS is a nationally recognized Adoption and Learning Center. Then, share your experience with your friends, family and neighbors.
Schools and other non-profit organizations wishing to participate in MHS's Volunteer Program should contact the Program Coordinator at 352-9011, ext. 147 or jessicap@humanecommunity.org. MHS staff will work with teachers, program coordinators, and guardians/caregivers to establish an appropriate program for interested groups and/or individuals.
