Humane Society of Missouri - http://www.hsmo.org

Volunteer

There's nothing more rewarding than helping homeless animals. The purr of a kitten and the appreciative look in a dog's eyes say "Thank You" like nothing else can.

The first step to becoming a volunteer is attending a required orientation to learn the expectations and procedures involved with each opportunity. Please contact the Volunteer Department at (314) 951-1577 or e-mail the volunteer department for more information regarding the volunteer program. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age at the date of orientation - no exceptions.

Upcoming Volunteer Orientation Dates

Volunteer Location	2008 Orientation Dates and Location
Macklind Ave. Headquarters in St. Louis City Westport Area Center in Maryland Heights Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union	The next orientation will not be held until January 2009. Macklind Avenue Headquarters Adoption Center Training Thursday, November 13, 6:30 pm Macklind Avenue Headquarters

Volunteer Location	2008 Orientation Dates and Location
Chesterfield Valley Center at Boone's Crossing	The next orientation will not be held until January 2009. Chesterfield Valley Center

Volunteer Opportunities

Foster Parent	Gift Shop
Adoption Counselor/Shelter Assistant	Information Ambassador
Behavior Helpline	Pet Pal
Clerical/Professional	Ranch Assistant
Humane Educator	Special Events
Bark in the Park

Foster Parent
Description:
Foster parents give a second chance to orphaned puppies and kittens, animals with minor behavior problems and sick or injured animals until they are ready for adoption. Potential foster parents must complete an application and be interviewed. Extensive training is provided.
Location:
Your home
Age:
Foster parents must be at least 18 years of age.

2008 Foster Orientation Date	Location
October: Thursday, October 23, 7 pm	Westport Area Center
November: Wednesday, November 12, 6:30 pm	Macklind Avenue Headquarters

*Adoption Counselor/Shelter Assistant
Description:
Adoption counselors and shelter assistants counsel potential adopters in selecting a pet that fits their lifestyle and discuss the responsibilities of pet ownership. Volunteers keep animals comfortable by maintaining clean kennels. This volunteer position requires bending, lifting, scrubbing and direct contact with the animals. *Additional training is required.
Location:
St. Louis City Center and Westport Area Center adoption centers.
Age:
Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.

*Behavior Helpline Volunteer
Description:
Behavior Helpline volunteers provide behavior counseling by phone and mail to pet owners who are experiencing problems with their pet that might otherwise cause them to relinquish that pet to an animal shelter. Behavior Helpline volunteers receive comprehensive training and commit to two four-hour shifts per month. *Additional training is required.
Location:
St. Louis City Center administration office.
Age:
Behavior Helpline volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Clerical/Professional Volunteer
Description:
Clerical opportunities include data entry, filing and assistance with mailings. Clerical opportunities are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Location:
St. Louis City Center and Westport Area Center administration offices
Age:
Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.

Humane Educator
Description:
Education volunteers instruct children and adults on proper pet care, the importance of spaying and neutering pets and the necessity of treating animals and people with kindness and respect. Comprehensive training is provided.
Location:
St. Louis City Center
Age:
Education volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Gift Shop Volunteer
Description:
Gift shop volunteers assist customers, ring sales and restock inventory. Retail experience is helpful but not necessary. On-the-job training is provided.
Location:
St. Louis City Center , Chesterfield Valley Center
Age:
Gift shop volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

*Information Ambassador
Description:
Information ambassadors greet, direct, inform and assist the public. *Additional training is required.
Location:
All locations
Age:
Information ambassadors must be at least 18 years of age.

*Pet Pal
Description:
Pet Pals exercise and socialize dogs waiting for adoption. Minimum commitment of two hours per week for four months for the St. Louis City and Westport Area Centers and four hours per week for four months for the Chesterfield Valley Center. *Additional training is required.
Location:
All locations
Age:
Pet Pals must be at least 16 years of age.

Ranch Assistant
Description:
Feed, clean and socialize horses, pigs, cows and other ranch animals. Other duties might include mowing grass, mending fences, etc. Daylight hours are available seven days a week. This demanding position involves bending, lifting and direct contact with the ranch animals in all types of weather. Work clothes are required. We recommend that you have received a Tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years. There are no vending machines or fast food restaurants nearby, so please bring your own brown bag lunch and drinks. A refrigerator and microwave oven are available. Beautiful scenery and fresh air are also provided.
Location:
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, located near Union, Missouri, is approximately a one-hour drive from St. Louis.
Age:
Ranch assistants must be at least 16 years of age.

Special Events Volunteer
Description:
Assist with fun events to raise money for the homeless animals in our care. Special events are often held during the evening and/or on the weekend.
Location:
St. Louis City Center and various locations
Age:
Special event volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.

Bark in the Park Volunteer
Description:
Assist with Bark in the Park, HSMO's largest fundraiser held in Forest Park in May. A full day of fun and events. Regular volunteer requirements apply. For more information on Bark in the Park, click here.
Location:
Forest Park in St. Louis
Age:
Special event volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.

We look forward to welcoming you to
the Humane Society of Missouri!