Become an HSN Volunteer
Make a Difference
Thank you for your interest in learning about volunteering with Humane Society Naples! Our volunteers are integral members of our team, and they play a vital role in helping us achieve our life-saving mission.
Our volunteer program is designed for individuals 14 years of age or older who are willing to make a significant commitment of their time, energy, talents and skills to support our team. We have a number of different opportunities, depending on your interests.
Volunteers support us with:
- Guest services – Lobby/reception
- Community outreach and events
- Administrative functions
- Driving
- Animal care
- Please note volunteers in our animal areas are required to help with cleaning, laundry, feeding and creating enrichment items in addition to socializing our dogs, cats and other small animals.
Our staff invests a substantial amount of time in our new volunteer training, and we ask our new volunteers to do the same. We also ask our new volunteers to commit to at least three volunteer shifts (3-4 hours each) per month for at least three months after they complete their training.
Ways to Volunteer
Canine Coach (Dog Area)
Location(s): Main Shelter or von Arx Adoption Center
While extremely rewarding, this can be a physically demanding role. You will handle medium to large size dogs of all breeds. Most of our dogs are 50+ pounds, are very strong, and will pull hard on you when you are handling/walking them.
Click here to view photos and information on our currently adoptable dogs. This will give you an idea of the types of dogs we typically have at our facilities. Viewing our canine residents will help you decide if volunteering with our dog sis a good fit for you. And don’t worry, there are lots more ways to help.
Canine Coach training requirements:
- Minimum of 10 hours (in 2.5 – 3 hour shifts) training/shadowing our Animal Care Staff & Canine Behaviour Team
- 2 hour onsite class on canine behavior
- Online training in animal handling via Maddie’s Fund (approx 2 hours)
Time commitment:
We ask all new volunteers in the Dog Area to make a commitment of at least 36 hours over a 4-month period to HSN, in addition to their training hours. This helps you be well prepared for the role and acknowledges the investment our team has made in your training.
Additional requirements for Dog Area Volunteers:
- All volunteers who handle and socialize dogs are required to help with animal care: dog kennel cleaning, laundry, feeding, doing dishes, creating enrichment items, etc.
- We DO NOT have volunteer roles in which volunteers only socialize animals. If you would rather simply socialize our dogs, consider participating in our Rescue Recess program.
Feline Ambassador (Cat Area)
Location(s): Main Shelter or von Arx Adoption Center
Feline Ambassador training requirements:
- Minimum of 6 hours (in 2-hour shifts) training/shadowing our Animal Care staff
- Online training in animal handling via Maddie’s Fund (approx 2 hours)
Time commitment:
We ask all new volunteers in the Cat Area to make a commitment of at least 36 hours over a 4-month period to HSN, in addition to their training hours. This helps you be well prepared for the role and acknowledges the investment our team has made in your training.
Additional requirements for Cat Area Volunteers:
- All volunteers who handle and socialize cats are also required to help with animal care: cat room/litter box cleaning, laundry, feeding, doing dishes, creating enrichment items, etc.
- We DO NOT have volunteer roles in which volunteers only socialize animals.
Guest Services
Location(s): Main Shelter or von Arx Adoption Center
Training requirements:
- A minimum of 9 hours (3-hour shifts) training/shadowing Guest Services Staff at our front desk. At the Main Shelter, one of these shifts must be completed in the morning (9am-Noon) & two shifts in the afternoon (1pm-4pm). The von Arx Adoption Center has its own requirements for training, which may include more training/shadowing shifts.
Time commitment:
- We ask all new volunteers in the Lobby/Reception Area to make a commitment of at least 36 hours over a 4-month period to HSN, in addition to their training hours. This helps you be well prepared for the role and acknowledges the investment our team has made in your training.
Housekeeping
Location(s): Main Shelter or Oaks
This role consists of helping with laundry.
Training requirements:
- One 2.5 hour training session at the chosen location.
Time commitment:
- We ask all new Housekeeping volunteers to make a commitment of at least 36 hours over a 4-month period to HSN, in addition to their training hours. This helps you be well prepared for the role and acknowledges the investment our team has made in your training.
Pet Food Pantry
Location: Main Shelter
The Denny Plesea Pet Food Pantry provides dog and cat food to families who are struggling to provide adequate food for their animals during difficult times. Resources are limited, so volunteers and donations are essential.
Training requirements:
- Two 2-hour training sessions.
Donation Sorting
Location: Main Shelter
We are fortunate to operate in a community that supports us by donating food, linens (towels/blankets), animal toys, equipment including collars, leashes, bowls and more. These donations are dropped off in a bin outside the front door of the Main Shelter. We rely on volunteers to roll the bins around to the side of the shelter and get them into their correct storage spaces.
This role can be physically demanding, since some of the food arrives in up to 40 pound bags.
Training requirements:
- One 3-hour training session
Volunteer Driving
Location: Various
We often need drivers to transport animals to/from our 3 locations and specialty veterinarians, and to/from other rescue organizations.
Training requirements:
- None
Volunteer Onboarding
Now that you have learned about the different volunteer roles, we hope you have decided to move forward and begin the onboarding process, which consists of the following steps.
- A 19-minute online Orientation Video and brief follow-on Quiz
- In person tour of the main shelter
- Electronic Submission of a Volunteer Application
- Electronic Submission of a Liability Waiver
- Background Check (for adults – 18 years or older)
Contact
Collier County Students
- If you are a Collier County Middle/High School student in need of volunteer service hours, please review our Student Volunteer Opportunities available. It is not required to have completed the Volunteer Orientation to earn volunteer service hours for these opportunities.
FGCU Students
- If you are an FGCU student in need of service-learning hours, please review our Student Service-Learning Opportunities. It is not required to have completed the Volunteer Orientation to earn service-learning hours for these opportunities.
“The heart of a volunteer is never measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.”
– DeAnn Hollis