Volunteer
Love animals and want to make a difference in our community? Join our team of life-saving volunteers.
Volunteer
It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Follow these easy steps to get started!
Create an Account
Join
Sign Up
Volunteer Requirements
- At least 18 years old – Youth Volunteers ages 10-17 must be accompanied by an adult, preferably a parent or guardian, who will be present at all times.
- Complete New Volunteer Onboarding and Required Trainings – Most volunteer opportunities have training requirements that will need to be completed prior to signing up for a shift.
- Make a Commitment – We ask that all volunteers complete at least 4 hours of volunteer service per month for at least 6 months. Alternatively, we ask that all volunteers complete at least 24 hours of service.
- Sign the Liability Waiver and Photo Release Form – This form is a part of your volunteer application and agreement to the terms outlined in the document is required.
Volunteer opportunities
From washing dishes to helping with community outreach, our life-saving volunteers have a wide variety of opportunities to use their unique talents and skills.
FAQs
We require all volunteers to purchase a $15 volunteer t-shirt to wear while volunteering. If you are unable to purchase a volunteer shirt, please contact the Volunteer Manager at volunteer@ashevillehumane.org for assistance.
As much as you would like! We require all volunteers to join us for a minimum of four hours per month for at least six months. As long as a volunteer can commit to at least 24 hours of service, we are happy to move you forward in the onboarding process.
Unfortunately, due to the specialized training required to volunteer with our organization, we do not currently have a program for community service that is court-ordered or suggested by your legal counsel.
Yes! Youth volunteers (Ages 10-17) must be accompanied by an adult, preferably a parent or guardian, who will be present at all times. Youth volunteers must complete the same required training classes or materials alongside their accompanying adult. Youth volunteers are permitted to sign up with an accompanying adult for most of our available volunteer opportunities, including those that require animal handling. Volunteer opportunities not available to youth volunteers will be labeled as 18+
- Create an account with GivePulse, our online volunteer platform. https://www.givepulse.com/login
- Join AHS Volunteer Hub, your one-stop-shop for volunteer events, training, and opportunities. https://givepul.se/olw59g
- Register for available shifts! You will receive a welcome email with more information about how to get started
We have a few different options for hiking/walking with shelter dogs. The main opportunities are Hiking Hounds, Mountain Mutts, and Urban Tails.
- Hiking Hounds – Sunday Morning Group Hike. If you are interested in the Hiking Hounds Sunday morning group hike, please email ahshikinghounds@outlook.com . This awesome volunteer group partners with us to get the dogs in our care off campus and out in nature for exercise and enrichment. They have a different application, but the program is designed to get folks out on the trail pretty quick. They will email you about the steps you need to take and the classes you need to sign up for.
- Mountain Mutts – Wednesday Morning Group Hike (AHS). (See Steps Below)
- Urban Tails – Tuesday-Saturday individual walk/hike with a dog (AHS). (See Steps Below)
If you are interested in hiking/walking dogs through AHS as a volunteer, here are the main steps:
- Apply to be a volunteer with Asheville Humane Society
- Complete New Volunteer Orientation Presentation and Tour
- Complete at least 3 hours of Core Service
- Take Canine Body Language Class – This class will teach you all about what dogs are saying with their body language. This class is required for the group hikes, Mountain Mutts and Hiking Hounds
- Take Pooch Essentials Class – This class teaches you the fundamentals of dog handling in the shelter environment, how to read kennel cards, and provides important information about how to work with shelter dogs. If you take both Canine Body Language and Pooch Essentials Class, you are eligible to do Urban Tails and other specialized dog handling opportunities.