The Humane Society of Sarasota County's volunteers generously give their time and talents, which enables HSSC to continue to save lives and expand our services for our community. With so many resources required to provide care for our animals, it would be impossible to fulfill our mission as the area’s premier no-kill shelter without our volunteers.
Teens ages 13-17 can also apply using the same link below. Are you a current volunteer or a volunteer in training? Please visit the Volunteer Log-in Page.
Please review the essential capabilities listed below and follow the directions to get started. If you feel you have the time, passion, and dedication to work with our organization. You will need to create a VolunteerHub account.
After you apply, we will contact you when volunteer positions become available. You will then be able to proceed in the process of becoming a volunteer. When you are contacted the next steps include:
If you have questions, please contact Elizabeth Joiner at 941.955.4131 x113 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Volunteering at HSSC requires certain skills and abilities. Essential capabilities include, but are not limited to:
Specific Volunteer roles may have additional requirements.
Welcome visitors, guide them through the initial sign-in process, and personally escort potential adopters to the dog or cat areas. You may also assist with answering the phone, filing, handing out food at the pet pantry, and with general office duties.
Help with canine enrichment; do cleaning, laundry, and dishes; help maintain the play yards; clean and organize Big MAC; prep food for Meals on Wheels distribution; and other duties. Requires handling soiled items. Indoor and outdoor opportunities.
Walk, train, spend one-on-one time with, and play with all types of dogs. Learn to work on behavior modification plans with certain dogs. Even take dogs on excursions or staycations. Additional training required to do canine matchmaking or work at offsite events.
Provide human companionship, interactive playtime, and socialization to help each cat cope with shelter stress and the disruption of their daily routines. Additional training required to do feline matchmaking or work at offsite events.
Match potential adopters with the perfect HSSC dog or cat for their lifestyle.
Represent HSSC at fundraising special events and community events (“offsites”) by handling adoptable animals and assisting with event tasks like check-in and auction bid spotting.
Volunteers also help manage the Donation Bank Program, lend their photography and videography skills to promote adoptable animals, distribute food at our weekly Pet Pantry Program, take animals for Staycations or Excursions, and help keep the shelter running smoothly in countless ways.
**Please note that HSSC is not an approved agency for adult, court-ordered community service.**
You may also be interested in these other HSSC volunteer opportunities:
© 2019 Humane Society of Sarasota County. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Site Map
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SARASOTA COUNTY, INC., IS A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3) CORPORATION REGISTERED WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES, REGISTRATION NUMBER CH239, AND RECEIVES 100% OF ALL DONATED FUNDS. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR ONLINE AT WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.