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 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.

40 hour commitment
Completed within 6 months
Must maintain 6 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.

40 hour commitment
Completed within 6 months
Must maintain 6 hours a month
Follow the attendance policy
Complete a school service volunteer agreement

Shelter 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 other shelter support opportunities.

25 hour commitment
Completed within 6 months
Must maintain 4 hours a month
Follow the attendance policy
Complete a school service volunteer agreement

School Service Agreement

Animal Care, Shelter Support & Clinic Volunteer Opportunities

Dog Care Registration

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 weekly or bi-weekly 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 Registration

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 a minimum commitment of 40 hours over a 6-month period and regular weekly or bi-weekly shifts 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 Registration

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 April 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

Support Registration

Shelter Support

Shelter Support Volunteers help 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 Interest Form

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)

Social Media Interest Form

Social Media Volunteer

Social Media Volunteers help bring our animals’ stories to life. This role is perfect for creative animal lovers who want to make a difference behind the camera.

Visit the shelter weekly to capture photos and videos, then create short-form content (Reels, TikToks, Stories) to showcase adoptable pets, events, and campaigns.

All content is reviewed and approved by our Marketing team before posting to our social platforms.

This role requires Fear Free Training and may need additional Animal Care Training.

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

Locations: South Elgin (primary), occasional opportunities at other sites

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.

Learn More!