Volunteer at a Pet Shelter - Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Volunteers are there to help our kennel staff keep all of our animal areas running smoothly and the staff relies on your help. You will help with whatever is needed, which may include walking or bathing dogs, taking puppies out to the play yards, cleaning cages and doing general cleaning, washing bowls, doing laundry, putting out water and food for the animals, making treats, or whatever else the staff needs help with that day. Wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty and tennis shoes.

• Parking - When you all arrive you can park in any of our street parking or in the overflow lots located across Armenia Avenue at Braddock St. or at Gulf Fabrics (this is the warehouse business next door to us, and you will see the HSTB signs for additional parking). Please do not park in the lots directly in front of the shelter or in the parking garage as those spots are needed for adopters and visitors.
• Where to Meet - you will head towards the left side of our building – you will see a gazebo and seating area. Wait in that area, and a staff member will come out around the start time for that shift and show you where to go!
• Attire – please be sure all groups members are wearing close-toed shoes and comfy clothes that will be fine indoors or outdoors and can get a little dirty and wet.
• Dog Walking Protocols – Please make sure that everyone knows that they should always keep an eye on the dog, pick up the poop, and enjoy the wonderful outside area. Please get the dog's name and talk to the dog and interact with the dog as going out with you is their favorite time of day! Please watch this video before you come: https://youtu.be/QHY974SodNc. It is very important to watch the dog's behavior while you are walking them for safety, so please do not use your cell phone while you have a dog under your supervision.
• Allergies – Please be aware that you may come into contact with various animals and we cannot guarantee that you will only work with one animal as the needs for the day you are there might include helping in the areas for the dogs, cats, rabbits, or other small animals.
• Tasks – It is not possible to request specific tasks or animals when you arrive, so please make sure that all members of your group are comfortable with walking medium to large dogs as getting the dogs out for walks in the morning is one of the primary tasks for groups. We do not always have a lot of small dogs and puppies available, so you may be asked to take larger dogs out for walks while their kennels get cleaned.
• Medical Isolation Areas - Please do not enter any kennel areas with signs stating “Staff Only” or “Do Not Enter” for the health and safety of our animals.
• Pictures – Please do not take any photos of animals in the Lower Level (Cats or dogs in Kennels 1-6) of the shelter as none of those animals are ready for adoption yet and posting pictures of those animals causes confusion for the public and more work for our Adoption staff. However, If you see any adoptable animals on the main Adoption Floor, you can feel free to take and post pictures of those animals. :-)

About Humane Society of Tampa

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides shelter for homeless & at risk animals, adoptions, hospital and TNVR services for the general public; operates independently from the Humane Society of the United States. And we, along with our animals, would love to have you as a partner on this journey.

Stand with us and other like-minded individuals, animal welfare organizations, foundations and companies as we work to end animal homelessness in Tampa Bay. By lending your voice, mobilizing supporters and customers, and helping to raise critical funds, you can change the lives of pets and people.