Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Capital Area Humane Society. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization and our most important asset. As a private, non-profit organization, we rely heavily on the assistance of our caring, dedicated, and hard-working volunteers. Each and every day, our volunteers help to improve the lives of the homeless animals here at CAHS.

There are numerous ways to aid at our shelter. Volunteers help with animal care through assisting with kennel maintenance, exercise, training, socialization, and mental stimulation. They help find good homes, foster pets that need extra time or help, as well as educating both children and adults about responsible pet ownership and kindness to animals. Volunteers also assist at many special CAHS community and fund-raising events, such as the Fur Ball and Walk for the Animals.

In an average year, our volunteers contribute more than 16,000 hours in support of the approximate 10,000 animals we serve. Volunteers work side-by-side with shelter staff, and provide the needed manpower for those programs that improve the quality of life for shelter animals. They allow us to achieve excellence in all that we do for the animals, making the community a better place for both people and pets.

Please join us in our commitment to finding forever homes for the animals in our care.

Becoming a Volunteer
All volunteers must pre-register and attend an orientation. The orientation will provide you with background information about the mission, programs, and services of the shelter. Volunteers are required to pay a program fee of $20 for adults and $10 for children to help offset the costs of your volunteer t-shirt, materials, and administrative costs of running the volunteer program. This fee helps to ensure that the vast majority of our funding is spent directly on animal welfare.

The pre-registration fee is required prior to scheduling anyone for an orientation.

2013 Volunteer Orientation Dates:

Wednesday, July 3 from 6-7:30 p.m. - REGISTRATION IS FULL
Saturday, July 20 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Adult-16+) and 1:30-3 p.m. (Family)
Wednesday, August 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. (Adult and Family)

Saturday, August 17 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Adult-16+) and 1:30-3 p.m. (Family)
Wednesday, September 4 from 6-7:30 p.m. (Adult and Family)

Please call (517) 626-6060 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register.

Volunteer Hours
Monday-Friday 12-7 p.m.
Saturday 12-5 p.m.
Sunday 12-5 p.m. (Summer Only)

Volunteers may come to the shelter any time during our normal business hours. There is no required time commitment.

Family Volunteer Program
The Family Program is for families with children between the ages of 8 and 15 who want to enjoy the experience of volunteering together at the shelter as a family unit. In the family program, a parent or guardian must volunteer with the children and provide constant close supervision of the children while volunteering. All members of the family who intend to volunteer must attend the orientation and TLC training.

Adult Volunteer Program
You can join the Adult Program if you are 16 years or older on the day you attend orientation and you do NOT intend to bring children with you to volunteer.

Community Service Program (CSP)
CAHS offers volunteer opportunities for community service volunteers such as National Honors Society, elementary, middle, and high school service hours as well as college service programs. All Community Service Volunteers are required to register and attend a volunteer orientation.

Court Ordered Community Service Program (COCSP)
Individuals who want to volunteer at CAHS in order to complete court-ordered community service requirements are invited to apply for the CAHS Court Ordered Community Service Program (COCSP). COCSP is a scheduled and supervised volunteer experience where individuals will assist staff and other volunteers with work around the shelter such as cleaning, kennel enrichment, and any additional duties deemed fit. A limited number of positions are available and depending on offense, will be accepted at the sole discretion of the Community Relations Manager. To apply, please contact Penny Pearsall at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call (517) 626-6821 ext. 111.