Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Lowell Humane Society! We appreciate anyone who is willing to give the animals the gift of their time. For general volunteer positions, please fill out a volunteer application at MyImpactPage and print out a volunteer waiver form to bring with you to orientation. Click here to view the structure of LHS’s volunteer program and click the pictures below for position descriptions for each volunteer role.
Orientations are held monthly and are mandatory for all prospective volunteers to attend. It is VERY important that you arrive to the orientation ON TIME. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will NOT be allowed to attend the orientation session. Please be aware that space is limited in each orientation. We are a small facility and can only fit a limited number of people in each orientation session.
Note: Our general volunteer program is open to individuals 16 or older. If you are under the age of 18, you will need to have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
Foster Care Program
Thank you for your interest in joining our Foster Care Program! Please fill out our Foster Care Application in order to be considered. You can expect to hear back from a staff member regarding your application’s status after it has been reviewed. Please email fostercare@lowellhumanesociety.org if you have any questions.
Who
Foster homes provide temporary sanctuary for sick, injured, or orphaned pets. Fostering is a great way to enjoy the company of a pet without having to commit to adopting an animal permanently or incur all of the expenses that come with pet ownership.
Single adults, families with children, seniors or young couples, employed or retired, homes with or without pets- a variety of homes are important to us to meet the needs of each individual pet. If you love animals, then we want YOU to foster with us!
Why
Foster families can select which types of animals they are comfortable fostering, but we do ask that you are able to take in animals of all ages within that category. Although it would be nice if all of our foster needs were for kittens, we do have older cats and dogs who need foster care; as well as rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and even birds at times!
We send animals into foster care for a variety of different reasons
- Geriatric cats and dogs awaiting dental procedures
- Pets recovering from illness, or injury or who need to gain (or lose!) weight
- Socialization for pets who are shy or unsocial
- Pregnant or nursing pets
- Heartworm treatment
- Pets that just need a break from the shelter.
How
When you foster animals for Lowell Humane Society we provide you with everything you need. From food, cat litter, crates and bedding, you will be given everything needed to properly care for any animal in your care. If your foster pet requires medication or medical treatment, all will be provided by Lowell Humane Society, as well as training to administer medication.
Once you join our foster care program, you are given 24-hour access to three of our qualified staff members. If an animal falls ill or is injured while in your care you will have access to our staff for assistance.
Get started today by completing a Foster Care Application on our BetterImpact volunteer portal. If you have any questions, you can email fostercare@lowellhumanesociety.
Requirements:
- Must be 18 or older
- A room to isolate shelter animals from your own pets (a spare bedroom, office, bathroom or heated mudroom)
- Your pets must be up to date on vaccinations and spayed/neutered
- You must have permission from your landlord to have pets OR own your home and show proof of homeownership
- Reliable transportation* to and from Lowell Humane Society to pick up/drop off foster animals during business hours and for emergencies
- You must be located within a 30 mile radius of the shelter
*Public Transportation is not suitable, as you may need to bring the animals in during emergencies or late at night if they fall ill
Our Volunteer Coordinator will review your application, call your veterinarian to ensure your pets are up to date on vaccinations, call your landlord (if applicable), and your references. Once your application has been reviewed and approved, the Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you and set up a time for your orientation session. We cannot guarantee every applicant a spot in the program but will try to approve all applications that are a good fit and meet the needs of the shelter animals.
Corporate Engagement
Lowell Humane Society treasures the relationships we hold with local businesses and organizations who stand behind our mission and strive to make our community a better place for animals and the people who love them. We can best help animals in need when we work together.
By choosing to give back to your community through one of our programs below, you are making a direct impact on the animals who need you most and helping LHS build sustainable community programs.
Guardian Partners & Sponsorships
Our Guardian Partnerships allow businesses who are committed to improving the lives of pets and people in our community to make a difference by supporting our major fundraising event initiatives and receive recognition to promote their business throughout our expansive network. Contact the Development Manager at events@lowellhumanesociety.org to learn more about how to become a Guardian Partner.
Workplace Giving
Your employees can make a big difference with just a small monthly contribution to Lowell Humane Society through a workplace giving program. Whether through payroll deductions or matching gifts, we would be happy to discuss ways for your employees to support LHS through your company. Contact the Development Manager at events@lowellhumanesociety.org for more information.
Group Service Day
Group service days are a great way for companies that are passionate about their communities to make a direct impact. Studies show that companies that offer corporate volunteer opportunities have higher employee engagement, productivity, and retention! Our group service opportunities are designed to promote team-building and ensure your staff is able to make a meaningful contribution to the animals and people who benefit from our programs.
All volunteer service opportunities begin with a tour of the shelter, include an optional team-building exercise/icebreaker activity, a Q&A with an LHS team member, pictures, and time to spend socializing and playing with a shelter pet for in-person opportunities. To request a group service day, please email the Development Manager at events@lowellhumanesociety.org at least 30 days prior to your preferred date of service.
*Please note that we request Corporate Volunteer Groups make a charitable donation to help defray the cost of staffing, supplies, and resources for their projects. Thank you for your dedication to supporting our programs which are entirely funded by contributions from individuals, foundations, and caring organizations like yours.
In-Shelter Service Day
Time: 8:30 am- 12:00 pm
Days: Mon-Wed & Fri
# of Vols. 6-10
Donation Amt. $500/session
Service days at the shelter are a fun and traditional group volunteer opportunity for companies looking to make an impact. Projects will vary depending on the animals in the shelter, the season, and our current needs, but you can expect projects like:
- Cleaning (organizing, sweeping, mopping, putting away donations, sanitizing supplies)
- Dishes
- Laundry
- Outdoor projects (raking leaves, weeding, removing trash)
- Stuffing Kongs and making enrichment toys
- Taking pictures/videos of the animals and creating bios
*Note: There are many allergens in the shelter including pets of all types, hay, peanut butter, etc. Please plan accordingly.
Virtual Volunteer Hour
Time: 9:00 am- 4:00 pm
Days: Mon-Fri
# of Vols. 10+
Donation Amt. $100/session
Virtual volunteer sessions are a great way for your team to get involved from the comfort of their home or desk. Your team will work with one of our staff to create enrichment toys for the shelter pets such as braided rope toys, catnip kickers, or rabbit treat cubes. They will get to hear more about shelter programs and learn about how their support helps make a difference in our community. Turn it into a lunch & learn, morning coffee hour, or even a Happy Hour with cocktails!
Off-Site Hike
Time: 8:30 am- 12:00 pm
Days: Varies
# of Vols. Up to 8
Donation Amt. $1,000/session
Head out to a local trail with your team and 3-4 lucky shelter pups for a nice relaxing off-site walk. Give the dogs some time out of the shelter, get some fresh air and exercise, and learn about each other and the shelter during your adventure. 1-2 staff members and LHS volunteers will lead you along the trail.
To book your company’s group volunteer day, email events@lowellhumanesociety.org to connect with our Development Manager.
Employment Opportunities
THERE ARE NO OPEN POSITIONS AT THIS TIME.
Please consider joining our volunteer team!
Other Ways to Get Involved:
There are a variety of ways you can volunteer your time to help the animals at the Lowell Humane Society. We utilize the help of volunteers seven (7) days a week in a variety of capacities. All volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation before starting. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and be able to work independently.
Check out the following pages below for other volunteer opportunities at the shelter:
Kids Programs
Kids 4 Paws
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Email volunteer@lowellhumanesociety.org to book your group visit!
Kids 4 Paws is a group formed by two sisters who love animals and wanted to help support the shelter pets through youth involvement. During a Kids 4 Paws visit, your group of youth will receive a tour of the shelter and work on a craft or enrichment project for the shelter pets. These visits are offered at no cost, however, donations of needed items on our wish-list or a monetary donation is appreciated! Kids 4 Paws is open to kids of any age. Adult supervision is required.
Community Service
Community service hours can only be served between 8 am-12 pm and must be approved by our Volunteer Coordinator in advance. To apply for volunteer service hours, please fill out the volunteer application at MyImpactPage and indicate that you are interested in serving community service hours.
Internships
Internships at the Lowell Humane Society are for high school and college students looking to gain experience working in the animal sheltering field. All potential internships must be approved by the Volunteer Coordinator following an application and interview process. Applications can be filled out here.
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