Thinking about Volunteering?

Volunteering is a great way to help the shelter, interact with our animals, and to make new friends in the process!

Completion of our People, Animals & Welfare for Success (PAWS) volunteer program is required to become a regular volunteer with the Humane Society of Delaware County (HSDC).  Designed for adults and children 12 and older, the PAWS volunteer orientation consists of a total of 10.5 hours of training – 6 hours of classroom and 4.5 hours of onsite training.  The purpose of this training is to learn about the fundamentals of caring for animals, basic animal behavior, as well as the mission and philosophies of the HSDC.  The dates for upcoming PAWS volunteer classes can be found on this page.  Please be sure you can attend all 3 of the classes of the same session that you choose (must complete all 3 classes consecutively), as attendance is mandatory for completion and graduation into our PAWS volunteer program. Onsite training must be complete within 2 months after the completion of the classroom portion of the PAWS training.

In an effort to be honest and transparent with our volunteers, the training will include some sensitive topics.  Medical conditions such as euthanasia, pet sterilization (can include terminating a pregnancy), and animal abuse/neglect will be discussed. Our trainers do their best to handle these topics in a sensitive and factual manner while ensuring all questions are answered and our procedures are clearly communicated.  We understand these can be difficult topics with moral, religious, and ethical considerations.  As a parent or guardian, you may wish to have a conversation with your minors prior to the first night of training.  Alternatively, you may not feel comfortable having your minor attend this training and we understand and respect your decision.

Please note that our PAWS volunteer program is a competitive program, and completion of the application does not guarantee admission. Once your application has been accepted, you will receive an email with instructions on how to reserve your spot, including how to pay the one-time nominal fee of $25.00 per volunteer we charge to defray the costs of providing the PAWS volunteer program.

Junior & Teen Volunteers

Junior volunteers are between the ages of 12-15.
A junior volunteer MUST have a parent/guardian (over 21 years old) complete an application as well as the junior volunteer and accompany the junior volunteer at all times. This includes during all training sessions as well as volunteering with them.

Teen volunteers are between the ages of 16-17.
Teen volunteers do not have to be accompanied by a parent/guardian to attend the PAWS volunteer classes or while volunteering.  They must complete and have parent/guardian sign the Minor Volunteer Waiver form to participate in the PAWS volunteer program.  Waivers will be emailed out in the formal invite to the PAWS volunteer orientation after the application has been accepted.

Please email our Volunteer and Community Relations Manager, Gina Breglia, at gina.breglia@hsdcohio.org if you have any questions about volunteering.