VOLUNTEERING
Make A Lasting ImpactJoin 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 ($30) 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 watch our volunteer video. After completing the video, you will be directed to pay your membership fee. Once payment is complete, you’ll be sent an email to register to volunteer! Then we will be in touch to schedule your safety orientation.
Ways You Can Volunteer

Animal Care
Locations: South Elgin, North Aurora, Bloomingdale
Time Commitment: Prefer minimum of 4 hours/month
- Cat and/or dog enrichment & socialization
- Dog walking
- Transport drivers & arrival
support - North Aurora & Bloomingdale
adoption center support - Misc. cleaning, laundry, etc.

Off-Site Cat Care
Locations: Algonquin Petco, South Elgin Petco
Time Commitment: Prefer a consistent, weekly morning or afternoon shift. The average shift is 1-2 hours.
- Feeding and cleaning
- Enrichment and socialization
- Volunteer independently

Wildlife
Locations: South Elgin, Elburn
Time Commitment: Prefer minimum of 8 hours/month
- Feeding baby wildlife
- Working with injured wildlife
- Wildlife Allies exclusion program
- Repairing & rebuilding wildlife enclosures
- Misc. cleaning, laundry, etc.

Clinic
Locations: South Elgin Clinic and South Elgin shelter
Time Commitment: Prefer minimum of 4 hours/month
- Surgical recovery
- Low-cost vaccine clinics
- Transport arrivals
- Administrative tasks
- Misc. cleaning, laundry, surgical prep, etc.

Occasional Volunteering
Locations: Varies
Time Commitment: Require a minimum of 4 hours/month
- Gardening & landscaping
- Photography & marketing
- Special events
- Administrative support
- Adoption events

Court Ordered Community Service
Location: South Elgin
Requirements:
- 18 or older
- Minimum of 40 service hours
- Approval based on infraction
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.

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.

Constant Companions
Location: Kane County
When caring for a pet becomes physically challenging for seniors, veterans, and others, our Constant Companions volunteers offer in-home assistance.
These volunteers can:
- walk the dog
- clean the litter box
- provide a ride to the vet or groomer
- administer the pet’s medication
- other tasks needed to ensure the pet’s well-being
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