Become a Shelter Volunteer

You must attend Orientation before working with the animals. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and be able to commit to a minimum of 60 hours the first 6 months. For working with dogs, there is the two Saturday commitment plus another 4 hours of mentoring with a trained volunteer before one can handle the dogs. These hours can be scheduled to suit the individual needs of the mentor and the new volunteer. For handling the cats, one only needs to come to the first Saturday orientation and then can begin socializing and playing with our kitties.

Registration is required. Please call (818) 242-1128 and leave a message for Ellen.

Volunteers are the backbone of our shelter. Please come and volunteer!

Volunteer Opportunities

Foster Parent

We are always in need of volunteers to foster dogs or cats with special needs. These volunteers will be responsible for caring for our animals in their home until they are ready for adoption. These include young kittens and puppies, under-socialized, injured, or sick dogs and cats, and lactating mothers and babies. A foster home helps an animal regain confidence and acclimate to creature comforts after being abandoned. It also allows us to learn more about an animal’s personality and any prior house experience - if he/she is house-trained, good with children or other pets, comfortable with strangers, etc. It’s a rewarding experience, and can really help an animal find a loving, permanent home more quickly.

Dog Handler/ Socializer

These volunteers spend their time working with our resident canines. Whether spending quiet time brushing or petting a dog in their run, taking a brisk leash walk down the street, stuffing and distributing Kongs and other toys, working as a team on our agility equipment, or throwing balls for dogs to fetch in our off-leash area, our dog handlers improve the quality of life for our dogs, keeping them physically and mentally healthy, and ready for adoption.

Cat Socializer

These volunteers spend time handling our resident kitties. Some cats need to expend their energy by playing and others need some quiet time in a lap all to themselves.

Front Office Assistance

We always need help behind the front desk! Can you file? Answer phones? You will still get hands-on experience dealing with animals being adopted, with the added bonus of educating the public at the same time. This position requires further training.

Mobile Adoption Assistance

As weather permits, we take available animals off-site to participate in local fairs and adoption festivals on weekend days. Mobile Adoption Team members must have completed all neccessary training required of GHS dog handlers. Additionally, team members should be upbeat, comfortable dealing with the public, able to assist in setting up and tearing down the booth and tent at each event.

Special Event Assistance

We have ongoing special events in the works, and volunteers are at the core of their success! We need people that are organized and motivated to be involved at every level of planning. The events vary, so call to find out what we are currently working on!

Volunteer Dog Training Program

The Glendale Humane Society offers hands-on experience in reward-based dog training techniques to qualified volunteers. Volunteer dog handlers work with GHS dogs one-on-one to teach them the basics, including name recognition, eye contact, sit, and good leash manners. By teaching GHS dogs these skills, we can improve their chances of being adopted!