Animal Care Volunteers

Animal Care volunteers spend time with animals that are in the shelter and can include the following:

Outreach Volunteers

Outreach volunteers assist HSNEGA staff at different types of events, both on-site and off-site. Some tasks of outreach volunteers include the following:

• Transporting and promoting an adoptable dog at an event

• Promoting all things HSNEGA at the event

• Working at the HSNEGA table at an event

• Adoption counseling at an event

• Conducting humane education sessions, both on-site and off-site, as a PAWsitive educator with schools, service groups and youth groups

• Take a puppy or calm adult dog off-site for pet-therapy at participating partner sites

• Take a puppy to one of our fundraising events

Humane Heroes

Calling all teens with a heart for animals and passion for doing good—we need you! HUMANE HEROES, our Teen Volunteer Program, is the perfect way for teens with a heart of gold to gain volunteer experience, learn important life skills, and learn about animal sheltering.

HUMANE HEROES allows youth ages 14-17 to volunteer at the shelter without a parent or guardian, but still under the supervision of shelter adoption staff and adult volunteers. HEROES assist with the basic, day-to-day needs of our HSNEGA adoption animals, creating a better quality of life for the animals in our temporary care. Duties include assisting with exercise and socialization for select adoption animals, assisting with basic facility maintenance, and working with HSNEGA staff to assist guests with facilitating the perfect adoption match. Limited community events, off-site adoption, and education program opportunities also are available; however, the focus is volunteering on-site at HSNEGA.

Our HUMANE HEROES are held accountable to the exceptional values and standards of care all HSNEGA volunteers are asked to exhibit, so we will seek only youths who are committed to this unique volunteer opportunity. Other HUMANE HERO requirements include:

• Display a “humane” attitude toward HSNEGA’s animals, volunteers, adopters, and, most importantly, other Teen Program volunteers.

• Currently be 14-17 years old (sorry, no exceptions for those under 14 at the time of application deadlines)

• Complete an application.

• Send in a letter of recommendation from a non-family member to Volunteer@HSNEGA.org.

• Commit to volunteer for at least 4 hours a month for a 4-month service term.

• Purchase volunteer uniforms and supplies totaling $30. (If you are financially unable to cover the costs, please let us know.)

• Provide proof of current medical insurance coverage (no exceptions).

• Have means of reliable, safe transportation to and from your assigned volunteer shifts

• Attend a Volunteer Orientation session and a shadow/training session prior to starting the program.

To be accepted into the program, you must be available to attend a volunteer orientation, as well as the training session.

If you are interested in applying to be a Humane Hero to fulfill a service requirement, please carefully read through our Teen Volunteer Program requirements to carefully assess if this program is right for your schedule and will satisfy all of your school requirements.

Photography Volunteer

Based on the needs of the project, photography volunteers take pictures of animals for HSNEGA marketing and promotional purposes. The photographer will use his/her artistic and technical skills to create images that clients will love. He/she will work closely with the Marketing and Adoption Teams to plan the photoshoot and to understand the specific needs of the project.

Interested in becoming a photography volunteer?

Administrative Volunteers

Administrative volunteers assist HSNEGA staff with the many tasks involved in our day-to-day operations. Some tasks include the following:

• Organizational and clerical tasks for our Healthy Pet Clinic which could include, answering phones, making appointments, education clients, processing transactions, etc…

• Welcome people to the facility and provide hospitality as a Healthy Pet Clinic Greeter

• Organizational and clerical support to the volunteer coordinator

• Organizational and clerical support for our Adoption Center

• Organizational and clerical support for our fundraising team

Group Volunteers

Group Volunteering is for groups of five to 15 people who want to make a difference in the lives of shelter animals. This is a great team-building option for businesses and corporate partners! Bringing your group to volunteer at HSNEGA is a rewarding experience and can include the following:

• Making enrichment items and treats

• Putting together dog beds and cat towers

• Assisting with animal socialization which could include dog walking, cat socialization or puppy playtime.

• Volunteering at events

• Help with landscape projects

• Small building projects

• Hosting a fundraiser/donation drive (check out our wish list HERE)

GROUP VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES:

• Must be at least 8 years of age and supervised by an adult. There should be 1 adult for every 6 children.

• A 2 hour minimum commitment is required.

• Please wear close toed shoes and appropriate attire for volunteering with animals.

• Please submit group visit request no later than 4 weeks of your desired date.

• Each member of the group will need to sign a volunteer waiver. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent sign the waiver.

• If your group is volunteering with the animals, training is required.

Interested in bring your group to volunteer?

Internships – COMING SOON!

Please email Erin Askounis, EAskounis@hsnega.org, for more information.

Community Service

The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia is able to accommodate those seeking to fulfill court-ordered community service. Court-ordered community service volunteers are not permitted to work directly with the animals. However, the duties that they perform support the animals by keeping our facility and equipment clean and sanitary. Community service workers provide an invaluable service to the HSNEGA and keep our shelter running more efficiently.

See general information on Community Service workers at the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia below. Community Service workers must:

• Provide court documents explaining convictions, including the parole officer’s name and number, and DOC number (if applicable).

• Be 18 years or older.

• Be able to follow directions under staff supervision.

• Be forthcoming with the nature of their offense.

• Be able to perform a variety of physical labor without any limitations such as injuries to the back or knees.

• Report for work Monday-Friday at 8:00 am and 9:00 am on Saturday-Sunday. Late arrivals may be turned away. All community service shifts end at 5:30 pm.

• First time workers must work at least (1) day during the week before you can work the weekends.

• Work assignments are not open for discussion. You must perform the assigned duty or leave.

• A minimum of four (4) hours per day is required with the option of working a maximum of nine and one half (9.5) hours.

• Community Service worker shifts are available Monday-Friday from 8:00 am-5:30 pm and Saturday-Sunday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm.

• Workers must bring a timesheet provided by the court system along with a photo ID.

• Workers cannot leave the building until they are signing out for the day. If staying all day, a refrigerator and microwave are available for your use so please plan accordingly.

Individuals with the following convictions are not eligible to perform community service at the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia:

• Any sexual offense of any nature.

• Any animal-related offense of any nature.

• No more than one conviction of theft/burglary/robbery or any charge related to possession or trafficking of drugs, forgery, or fraud.

• No more than one assault conviction. Convictions of assault in the first or second degree, even only one, are not allowed.

For more extensive information on our Court-Ordered Community Service program click HERE to see the rule sheet.