Join Us & Make A Difference
We could not provide such outstanding care for our animals without the help of our dedicated volunteers. Anderson Humane volunteers are involved in nearly every aspect of what we do, providing hands-on care to animals and helping to keep the facility clean, participating in events and fundraisers, assisting with administrative functions, and even fostering animals in their own homes.
Our extensive volunteer program enables individuals or groups to become involved in helping the shelter according to their interests and talents. The volunteer program is for adults (ages 16+) and offers individuals the opportunity to work on behalf of the shelter’s animals to impact our community positively.
PLEASE NOTE: Most volunteer opportunities require a membership fee ($35) and attendance at Safety & Protocols training. Volunteer membership includes an Anderson Humane volunteer t-shirt and name tag.
Ready to get started? First, click the button below to learn more about volunteer opportunities. After completing the video, you will be directed to pay your membership donation. Once the donation is complete, you’ll be sent an email to register to volunteer and another e-mail that will include your safety training! Then we will be in touch to schedule your hands-on training.
School Service Hours
Are you in need of volunteer service hours for school or a project? You can fulfill those requirements by assisting with dogs, cats, wildlife, or non-animal activities based on your availability. We offer opportunities for 15, 40, and 60 hours of service.
- 15 hours – to help clean dishes and laundry – Location: South Elgin
- 40 Hours – Cat Care: clean and socialize – Locations: South Elgin & Bloomingdale
- 60 Hours – Dog Care: walk & socialize – Locations: South Elgin & Bloomingdale
- 60 Hours – Wildlife: feed & clean wildlife – Locations: Elburn Forest Preserve (raccoons, opossums and more) Note: This option does not begin until March and concludes in October.
Please DO NOT fill out the form below unless you want to complete volunteer hours for school. Continue scrolling for more volunteer options.
Ways You Can Volunteer
Wildlife
Locations: Elburn Forest Preserve
Time Commitment: Require minimum of 8 hours/month
- Feeding baby wildlifeÂ
- Working with injured wildlife
- Repairing & rebuilding wildlife enclosuresÂ
- Misc. cleaning, laundry, etc.
- Rescue & release animals
- Educational programs
Dog Care
Locations: South Elgin, Bloomingdale
Time Commitment: Required minimum of 4 hours/month for 3 months
- Dog enrichment & feeding
- Dog walking
- Transport arrival support
- Bloomingdale adoption center support
- Occasional cleaning, laundry, etc.
Cat Care
Locations: South Elgin, Bloomingdale
Time Commitment: Required minimum of 4 hours/month for 3 months
- Cat socialization
- Bloomingdale adoption center support
- Feeding, cleaning, laundry, etc.
Off-Site Cat Care
Locations: Algonquin Petco, Geneva Petco, South Elgin Petco
Time Commitment: Requires a consistent, weekly morning or afternoon shift. The average shift is 1-2 hours.
- Feeding and cleaning
- Enrichment and socialization
- Volunteer independently
Clinic
Locations: South Elgin Clinic and South Elgin shelter
Time Commitment: Require minimum of 4 hours/month, M-F 9am-3pmÂ
- Surgical recovery
- Low-cost vaccine clinics
- Transport arrivals
- Administrative tasks
- Misc. cleaning, laundry, surgical prep, etc.
- Fear Free Certification is required
Occasional Volunteering
Locations: Varies
Time Commitment: Require a minimum of 4 hours/month
- Gardening & landscaping
- Photography & marketing
- Special events
- Administrative support
- Adoption events
Interested in any of the volunteer opportunities listed above? Click the register button below to get started!
Group Volunteer Opportunities
Does your organization want to make a difference? Do they want to make a direct impact in the lives of the animals in our care? If yes, then consider signing up to volunteer as a group! Each group will work on a project together, followed by a tour of our shelter.
Group Size & Location
Due to space constrictions and limited parking, we’re able to host groups of approximately 6-10 folks. Volunteer groups usually spend 2 hours at our facilities. We have weekday availability from 9am-12pm. Your group can volunteer at our Main Shelter or our Elburn location.
For more information, complete the form below! Once completed, out volunteer team will be in touch.
Scout Projects
We welcome the efforts of youth to become leaders and contributors in our community. If you are a Scout or a member of another youth organization interested in pusuing a particular project at Anderson Humane, please fill out and submit the interest form below. Please also indicate if you have a project in mind that might suit your interests and skill level. All volunteers onsite must be 16+.
Over the years Anderson Humane has been the recipient of projects completed by Scouts.
Court Ordered Community Service
- 16 years of age or older
- 20 minimum hour requirement
- Must be a traffic violation or DUI
- All hours are completed at our South Elgin Location 1000 S. LaFox St, South Elgin, IL or Elburn Forest Preserve
- Adhere to an attendance policy
- Laundry
- Dishes
- Cleaning Kennels
- Yard waste pick up/ Station upkeep
- Wildlife Room Sanitation
For more information, complete the form below! Once completed, our volunteer team will be in touch.
Other Ways to Volunteer
Fostering
Locations: Pick up at South Elgin, potential visit at clinic in South Elgin
- Short- and long-term fostering of dogs and cats.
- Baby kitten bottle feeding
- Medical fosteringÂ
- Doggie-day-out
- Short- and long-term fostering of small animals, birds and reptiles.
Healing Paws Comfort Animal
Location: Kane County
Time Commitment: Prefer minimum of 2 hours/month
- Provide positive experiences to children and adults throughout our community
- Healing Paws volunteers and their pet partners visit schools, libraries, rehabilitation facilities, senior communities, and local businesses on a regularly defined schedule.
Funding for this website provided by Forefront - the Mission Sustainability Initiative.
Anderson Humane is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS. FE #: 36-6164626 Copyright © 2024 by Anderson Humane.
Anderson Humane
1000 S. La Fox Street
South Elgin, IL 60177
(847) 697-2880
ORÂ
Text (224) 346-9747