Volunteer: Domestic Shelters

Thank you for your interest in volunteering!

Welcome to the heart of our community, where compassion meets purpose! Volunteering at our domestic shelter is an enriching experience that goes beyond lending a helping hand—it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and hope for those in need. As a volunteer, you become a vital part of our mission to create a safe and nurturing haven for individuals and families facing adversity. Join us in making a lasting impact, one act of kindness at a time, as we work together to build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Your dedication transforms lives, and we invite you to be a beacon of change with us at the forefront of compassion.

Each position has training, scheduling, and physical requirements.

Roles at our domestic shelter include:

Walking dogs
Providing enrichment and training for our dogs
Cuddling cats
Providing enrichment and exercise for our small animals
Greeting potential adopters when they first come in
Administrative support for several departments
Shelter operations support, such as laundry, dishes, and other behind-the-scenes tasks
Each role has a unique training period, and slightly different requirements!

General requirements for all roles:

Submit Application
Act 34 clearance (free to volunteers)
Fear Free certification (free to volunteers)
In-person orientation – this is where you’ll receive a t-shirt, name badge, and a brief tour of your respective space; also usually where we’ll officially get you on the schedule
Age restriction: volunteers 18 and older may volunteer independently. 16 and 17, must have an adult on site with them. Children younger than 16 are not permitted to volunteer for safety reasons, but we have plenty of other programs for you!
Time requirement: 2 hours per week for at least 6 months – if unable to commit to the same time weekly, ask us about other options!
- Summer-only/short-term/drop-in volunteers – we have lots of options for you! Contact us to learn more.
Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh reserves the right to decline any volunteer application for any reason.

Additional requirements may include:

Online training (animal-handling; species-specific video and quiz)
In-person mentoring – training period varies by role
Education volunteers will be required to obtain Act 33 and Act 114 clearances for working/volunteering with children

We depend on a unique and dedicated group of foster volunteers to help us save more lives! By fostering a homeless animal, you can experience the joys of being a pet parent without the lifetime of responsibility. Learn more.