Join Us & Make A Difference

Our volunteer program offers a meaningful way for individuals (ages 16+) to support shelter animals while making a positive impact in the community. With a wide range of opportunities available, you can get involved in ways that align with your interests and strengths.

Please note, for animal care roles, we are looking for volunteers who can make a longer-term commitment of 6+ months to help ensure consistency and the best care for our animals.

Check out our Volunteer Information Video to learn more!

All volunteer opportunities require a $35 membership fee and completion of our Virtual Safety & Protocols training. Your membership includes an Anderson Humane volunteer t-shirt, name tag, and helps support the ongoing needs of our volunteer program. Your membership remains active as long as there is consistent volunteer activity; if there is no activity for 3 months, it will expire unless you request a leave of absence.

At Home Projects

Want to support Anderson Humane from home or not quite 16 yet to volunteer in person?
No problem! We have fun and meaningful at-home project options just for you. These activities help make a difference for the animals in our care and can be completed at your convenience. Once finished, you can drop off your items at our Bloomingdale or South Elgin locations.

CLICK HERE for at home projects

School Service Hours

Looking to earn student service hours while making a real difference? Anderson Humane offers hands-on volunteer opportunities for students to care for cats, walk and socialize dogs, or support behind-the-scenes shelter and wildlife work.

Gain valuable experience, build responsibility, and help animals in our care—all while completing your school service hour requirements.

Please DO NOT fill out the form below unless you want to complete volunteer hours for school. Continue scrolling for more volunteer options.

All students are required to have our school service agreement signed by a parent and teacher

School Service Agreement

School Service Hours Registration

School Service Hours – Opportunities

Cat Care

As a Cat Care Volunteer, you’ll help ensure the health and happiness of our feline friends by assisting with feeding, cleaning, socializing, dishes, and laundry. Your care provides essential comfort and enrichment for cats as they wait for their loving homes.

50 hour commitment
Completed during the current school year
Must maintain 4 hours a month
Follow the attendance policy
Complete a school service volunteer agreement

Dog Care

As a Dog Care Volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in enriching the lives of our shelter dogs through daily walks, socialization, and helping reinforce basic manners. Your time helps reduce stress and improve adoptability for our pups.

50 hour commitment
Completed during the current school year
Must maintain 4 hours a month
Follow the attendance policy
Complete a school service volunteer agreement

Shelter/Wildlife Support

As a Shelter Support Volunteer, you’ll play a role behind the scenes to keep our operations running smoothly. Opportunities include helping at adoption events, assisting with dog feeding, doing dishes and laundry, and providing short-distance animal transports.

25 hour commitment
Completed during the current school year
Must maintain 4 hours a month
Follow the attendance policy
Complete a school service volunteer agreement

Animal Care, Shelter Support & Clinic Volunteer Opportunities

Dog Care Volunteer

As a Dog Care Volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in enriching the lives of our shelter dogs through daily walks, socialization, and helping reinforce basic manners.

Your time helps reduce stress and improve adoptability for our pups.

This opportunity requires a minimum commitment of 40 hours over a 6-month period and regular monthly shifts to remain active.

If you love dogs and want to make a difference, we’d love to have you on the team!

Locations: South Elgin or Bloomingdale Petco

Cat Care Volunteer

As a Cat Care Volunteer, you’ll help ensure the health and happiness of our feline friends by assisting with feeding, cleaning, socializing, dishes, and laundry.

Your care provides essential comfort and enrichment for cats as they wait for their loving homes.

This opportunity requires regular monthly shifts and a minimum commitment of 40 hours over a 6-month period to remain active.

If you enjoy caring for cats and making a difference, we’d love to have you join us!

Locations: South Elgin, Bloomingdale Petco, Algonquin Petco, South Elgin Petco, & Geneva Petco

Wildlife Volunteer

As a Wildlife Volunteer, you’ll support the care and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wild animals by assisting with cleaning, feeding, laundry, and general care tasks.

This vital behind-the-scenes role helps ensure our wildlife patients receive the best care on their path to recovery and release.

Volunteers in this area must be comfortable working around a variety of native species.

This opportunity requires a minimum commitment of 8 hours a month throughout the season, which runs through October. If you love to help animals and make a difference, we’d love to have you on the team!

Locations: Elburn Forest Preserve

Shelter Support

Shelter Support Volunteers play a role behind the scenes to keep our operations running smoothly. Opportunities include helping at adoption events, assisting with dog feeding, doing dishes and laundry, providing short-distance animal transports, and so much more.

This flexible role offers a variety of ways to support our mission.

A minimum commitment of 2 shifts per month and 15 hours over a 3-month period is required to remain active.

If you enjoy jumping in where help is needed most, this is the perfect role for you!

Locations: South Elgin, Bloomingdale Petco, St. Charles Office, Elburn Forest Preserve

Clinic Volunteer

Clinic Support Volunteers (must be 18+) work behind the scenes to assist our veterinary team and ensure animals receive the best care possible. Tasks may include surgical recovery, supporting low-cost vaccine clinics, performing administrative work, and helping with cleaning, laundry, and surgical prep.

Fear Free Certification is required for this role.

A minimum commitment of regular weekly 4-6 hour shifts for 3+ months.

If you’re detail-oriented and passionate about animal health, this is a great opportunity to make a difference!

Location: South Elgin Clinic
(Hours M-F 8am-4pm and occasional Saturdays)

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in any of the volunteer opportunities listed above? Click the register button below to get started!

Register Now!

Group Volunteer Opportunities

Make a Difference Together: Volunteer as a Team with Anderson Humane

Looking for a meaningful way to bring your team together?

Group volunteer experiences at Anderson Humane are a powerful way to strengthen your team’s connection while making a real impact for animals and the community.

Whether you’re part of a company, school, or social group, we offer engaging,
hands-on opportunities that are both rewarding and memorable

Team Building for the Animals

Available most Thursdays & Fridays at our
South Elgin Shelter

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience with your group while supporting our mission. This visit includes three interactive breakout sessions:

– Preparing treats, enrichment items, and soft bedding for animals in our care
– One-on-one time with our adoptable pets
– A guided tour of our South Elgin shelter.

To enhance the day, we include team-building activities designed to encourage collaboration and connection.

Location:
Anderson Humane – Main Shelter
1000 S. La Fox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177
To help support the care of our animals and cover materials, we request a donation of:
$500 for groups of 3–8 participants
$1,000 for groups of 9–14 participants

Outdoor Projects at the Wildlife Center

Available most weekdays at our
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Elburn

For teams that enjoy outdoor work, this is a great opportunity to get active and contribute to the care and upkeep of our Wildlife Center grounds. Projects may include:

– Sprucing up outdoor animal enclosures
– Trimming and clearing nature trails
– General landscaping and beautification tasks

Location:
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – Elburn Forest Preserve
45W061 IL-38, Elburn, IL 60119

This opportunity is offered without a required donation. Optional contributions are always welcomed and help support our mission.

Interested in our Group Volunteer Opportunites? Click the link below to register!

Register Now!

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.

Interest Form!

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 fostering
Doggie-day-out
Short- and long-term fostering of small animals, birds and reptiles.

Learn More!

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.