Yes, with some limitations. Due to our limited footprint indoors groups interested in volunteering weekly are generally limited to four (4) individuals. Larger groups such as a Scout troop, class field trip, or business looking to complete a community service day, or shelter tour can usually be accommodated with advance notice.  Please email info@waldenhumane.org so we can work with you to set up a visit.

Yes. HSW has a limited number of day service group volunteer opportunities that are generally reserved for Monday – Thursday mornings, prior to shelter opening. We are not able to accommodate weekend requests.

Scheduling a larger group of volunteers all at once depends greatly on the needs of our Shelter Operations teams, which fluctuate seasonally. The size of your group and the time of year will determine what your volunteer activity will be. Group size is generally limited to a maximum of 5 people. This includes the support  worker.

Some activities include, but are not limited to: laundry, dishes, cleaning litter boxes, stuffing Kong toys, or creating enrichment toys. Please email info@waldenhumane.org for more information. 

Yes, you must be at least 18 years of age to walk dogs onsite. 

Volunteers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  The adult will hold the leash.

You can help us with special events or projects. Additionally, you can organize a drive to collect items on our Wish List. You can ask your friends, family, neighbors and fellow students if they want to help collect kitty litter, cat food, dog treats, towels, blankets and more.

HSW is open 7 days a week from 8am to 4pm.  HSW is closed to the public for these holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Volunteers may work any hours within their schedule from 9am to 3 pm daily:

9am-12pm: help with tasks like cleaning, feeding, outdoor work, organizing, and laundry.

12pm-3pm: help with everything, including socializing with our cats and dogs. Socializing with or walking our dogs does require an in person training first. 

Volunteers at our PetSmart locations must be at least 18 years old. Please complete the Volunteer Application and note which PetSmart location (Middletown or Monroe).  Once received we’ll put you in touch with the coordinator for your preferred location, and they’ll set you up with a brief in person orientation, and get you on the schedule. PetSmart volunteers are asked to commit to a regular schedule (for instance every Monday from 1-4pm or Saturday from 10-2pm). 

At our Walden location, no. We do welcome volunteers that would like to commit to a recurring volunteer timeslot.

No problem. We often get students who have to complete a certain number of hours before their semester ends, or prior to graduation. Just be sure to contact us so there is plenty of time to find an assignment.

HSW does not accept all court-order offenses and reserves the right to not accept all applications.

Yes, we have a robust feline foster care program. Occasionally we have canines in need of a foster home. If you are interested in providing foster care, let us know on your Volunteer Application or complete a Foster Application.

Yes, with some limitations. Due to our limited footprint indoors groups interested in volunteering weekly are generally limited to four (4) individuals. Larger groups such as a Scout troop, class field trip, or business looking to complete a community service day, or shelter tour can usually be accommodated with advance notice.  Please email info@waldenhumane.org so we can work with you to set up a visit.

Yes. HSW has a limited number of day service group volunteer opportunities that are generally reserved for Monday – Thursday mornings, prior to shelter opening. We are not able to accommodate weekend requests.

Scheduling a larger group of volunteers all at once depends greatly on the needs of our Shelter Operations teams, which fluctuate seasonally. The size of your group and the time of year will determine what your volunteer activity will be. Group size is generally limited to a maximum of 5 people. This includes the support  worker.

Some activities include, but are not limited to: laundry, dishes, cleaning litter boxes, stuffing Kong toys, or creating enrichment toys. Please email info@waldenhumane.org for more information. 

Yes, you must be at least 18 years of age to walk dogs onsite. 

Volunteers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  The adult will hold the leash.

You can help us with special events or projects. Additionally, you can organize a drive to collect items on our Wish List. You can ask your friends, family, neighbors and fellow students if they want to help collect kitty litter, cat food, dog treats, towels, blankets and more.

Every new volunteer (18+) wanting to interact with our dogs must complete a training session on-site at HSW. If you are under 18 and would like to work with our dogs a parent / guardian will need to be present, and complete the training. Training sessions are offered most Sunday’s at 10 am, right after the Sunday Dog Walk gets underway.

Sunday Dog Walk offsite (must be 21+ to hold the leash): A great way to get to know our other volunteers and our adoptable dogs is to join our Sunday dog walk. We meet every Sunday at 9:30 am at HSW, weather permitting. Check our Facebook page for weather or holiday related cancellations.

Socializing / Dog Walk onsite (must be 18+ to hold the leash): Once you have completed our dog handling orientation you are welcome to work with our dogs. Please keep in mind we might not always have a dog available that’s a good match to work with on a given day. While we often have a variety of pups sometimes we only have pups that can be handled with staff assistance or can only be handled onsite.

Before heading into one of our three (3) cat areas, take a moment to decide where you’d like to focus your efforts. The general cat walk-around area is to the right from the lobby, and this is where most of our cats are located. However, if you have a particular interest in our FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and FeLV+ (Feline Leukemia Virus) cats, you can also visit their dedicated rooms.

HSW is open 7 days a week from 8am to 4pm.  HSW is closed to the public for these holidays: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.

Volunteers may work any hours within their schedule from 9am to 3 pm daily:

9am-12pm: help with tasks like cleaning, feeding, outdoor work, organizing, and laundry.

12pm-3pm: help with everything, including socializing with our cats and dogs. Socializing with or walking our dogs does require an in person training first.

Volunteers at our PetSmart locations must be at least 18 years old. Please complete the Volunteer Application and note which PetSmart location (Middletown or Monroe).  Once received we’ll put you in touch with the coordinator for your preferred location, and they’ll set you up with a brief in person orientation, and get you on the schedule. PetSmart volunteers are asked to commit to a regular schedule (for instance every Monday from 1-4pm or Saturday from 10-2pm). 

At our Walden location, no. We do welcome volunteers that would like to commit to a recurring volunteer timeslot.

Yes, we have a robust feline foster care program. Occasionally we have canines in need of a foster home. If you are interested in providing foster care, let us know on your Volunteer Application or complete a Foster Application.