Volunteer

The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast cannot operate without its volunteers. We currently have more than 450 active participants, ranging in age from 12 to over 80, who provide almost 60,000 hours of labor each year for the shelter.

We have an Adult Volunteer Program for people ages 16 and older. You can complete the online application to be a volunteer here.

Our Junior Volunteer Program is for people between 12-15 years of age and requires an adult supervisor (18-years-of-age or older) working side-by-side on each shift. Adult supervisors must also attend orientation and training sessions with their junior volunteer. You can complete the online application to be a junior volunteer here.

If you are in need of court-ordered community service hours please click here. Please note that you must be at least 18 years old to complete court ordered hours at our shelter.

We require attendance at our Volunteer Orientation to begin your volunteer journey with us. Taking place at the main shelter (4100 SW Leighton Farm Avenue, Palm City, FL 34990), this orientation explains a little bit about our organization, along with our mission, policies, and the volunteer opportunities available. Following orientation, we schedule you for training in the area of your choice, as long as there is availability in that particular department. With the exception of Community Events, Mobile Adoptions and Fostering, all volunteers must be able to commit to a weekly schedule for at least 3 months

Orientation Schedule

As we continue to resume our activities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteer orientations will be held via Zoom until further notice. You must RSVP to SFisher@hstc1.org in order to obtain the link to join the Zoom meeting.

Thursday, April 15, 5:30 pm
Thursday, May 6, 5:30 pm

*Sessions last for approximately 45 minutes.

Volunteer applications must be submitted prior to attending a volunteer orientation. More details on our volunteer opportunities as well as the online volunteer application are available further down on this page.

Volunteer Opportunities

Dog Walking

Volunteers walk the dogs around our Memorial Garden to provide basic exercise, mental stimulation and needed human contact. Volunteers must be able to handle large, energetic dogs over 50 pounds. Shifts are about 2 hours long each week.

Canine Companion

Volunteers sit in the kennels with the dogs, providing the dogs with TLC, which includes brushing them, socializing with them and giving them “snuggles”. Each dog gets at least 10 minutes of direct contact and shifts last about 1-2 hours weekly.

Cat Care

Feeding, cleaning, and socializing the adoptable cats in our care. Presenting the cats to prospective adopters and talking about their personalities. Shifts are about 2-3 hours long each week. Cat care shifts are located at our main shelter, as well as at both thrift stores.

Critter Care

Cleaning, feeding, grooming, and presenting our critters to prospective adopters. Critters consist of mostly guinea pigs and rabbits, but occasionally we have other critters who need to be cared for, such as hamsters, ferrets, etc. Shifts range from about 2-4 hours weekly.

Public Spay & Neuter

Assisting surgery staff in prepping animals for surgery, monitoring animals during recovery and reviewing follow up instructions with owners. Shifts are about 4 hours weekly.

Front Desk and Administration

Assisting the customer service staff members with answering phones, organizing paperwork, scheduling appointments, assisting customers, etc. Shifts range from 2-4 hours weekly.

Shelter Pet Photography & Wrangling

Taking photos of the animals in our care in order to provide a better adoptable visual for the HSTC Website and other media platforms. “Wrangling” is bringing the animals to the photographer and assisting with capturing the best possible shot for the camera. Shifts are about 1-2 hours weekly.

Thrift Stores North/Central

Cashiering, pricing incoming items, sorting donations and assisting customers. Shifts range from 2-4 hours weekly.

Learn More

Mobile Adoptions

Handling of pets outside of the shelter to increase awareness of our mission and exposure to prospective adopters. Bringing dogs to events wearing an “Adopt Me” vest and assisting in off-site adoptions. Must be able to handle large, energetic dogs over 50 pounds. Shifts are as needed.

Community Events

Participation in community events and fundraisers as part of a planning committee or day-of-event needs such as selling raffle tickets, assisting at the information booth, etc. Shifts are as needed. Learn more about HSTC Community Events.

Learn More

Pet Therapy and Humane Education

Volunteers, along with their pets, deliver educational programs to schools and youth groups, visit hundreds of seniors each month at senior centers, nursing homes and the hospital, and provide interactive programs for children with special needs

Learn More

Court-Ordered Community Service

To fulfill court ordered community service hours, you must be at least 18 years of age. You do not need to attend orientation, but you must complete a community service application prior to initiating service. The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast does not accept all court-ordered offenses and reserves the right deny any application. You can complete a community service application online, or stop by the shelter to fill one out in person.