Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Butte Humane Society and welcome to our Volunteer Program! 🐾

Please make sure to read through our Volunteer Code of Conduct and follow the steps below to get started.


Volunteer Code of Conduct


Step 1: Fill out the Volunteer Application. You will receive a welcome message upon approval with 4 training manuals attached. Please read through these manuals! I have also linked these manuals below to get started on the reading.


NOTE: please make sure if you are a Junior Volunteer between the ages of 12-15, you must have a parent or guardian fill out their own volunteer application and follow these steps as well. Junior Volunteers between 12-15 must be accompanied by their parent or guardian for the duration of the volunteer shifts.


Manuals 📚: New Volunteer Manual, Dogs Training Manual, Cats Training Manual, Warehouse Manual.


***If you are a Junior Volunteer between the ages of 12-17, please make sure your parent/guardian prints and signs this waiver to give to the Volunteer Coordinator before your on-site training***


Liability Waiver


Step 2: Take the "New Volunteer Exam". Use the training manuals as a reference. The exam must be passed with a 90% or better in order to continue to the next step. This would be 29 points out of 32 or higher. Please review your manuals and retake the exam if you do not pass the first time. New Volunteer Exam Link

Step 3: Purchase your volunteer shirt when you come into the facility for your Shadow Shift.


Step 4: Attend a Shadow Shift. (hands-on training experience). Sign up through the software, choose any titled as "Shadow Shifts." Choose one, two or all three! It is up to you.


Step 5: Volunteer and HAVE FUN!


Note: Please make sure you have attended a Shadow Shift before you sign up for any other volunteering opportunities. There is not a Shadow Shift for opportunities like The Breakfast Club, Bone Appetit, Pet Food & Supply Pantry, etc. For these opportunities, you will be trained in the moment. Please email kailynlopezpadilla@buttehumane.org for an accommodation.


Note: Please make sure you have attended a Shadow Shift before you sign up for any other volunteering opportunities. There is not a Shadow Shift for opportunities like The Breakfast Club, Bone Appetit, Pet Food & Supply Pantry, etc. For these opportunities, you will be trained in the moment. Please email kailynlopezpadilla@buttehumane.org for an accommodation.


Volunteer Opportunities 💫:

  • Walk dogs

  • Morning & evening cat & dog feeding

  • Admin/greeter

  • Socialize cats

  • Laundry & dishes

  • Office work

  • Special events

  • Maintenance/repairs

  • Cleaning & organization

  • Organizational development

  • Education and outreach

  • ..and much more!


Time Commitment

We request a commitment of 2 hours a week to remain an “active” volunteer. We have morning and afternoon shifts available every day. If you know now that these hours or this commitment would be difficult, please consider helping us in other ways like fundraising for us and/or becoming a foster parent.


Available volunteer hours 🕑:

Monday-Thursday: 10am - 5pm

Friday: 11am-4pm

Saturday & Sunday: 11am-4pm

**Holiday hours may vary**


What is the minimum age to volunteer?

For the safety of our “two-legged little friends,” and due to liability reasons we require all volunteers to be 12 years or older.

Volunteers who are 12-15 years old (aka Junior Volunteers), we welcome your help. We have a lot of specific tasks that are perfect for young people to help out with such as socializing cats, grooming the pets, animal enrichment projects, folding laundry, and more. When filling out the volunteer application under the dropdown “Type” select the “Junior” option. For liability reasons, an adult must be present at all times the junior volunteer is on-site. That adult must also apply to be a volunteer and go through the orientation process with the junior volunteer.

Volunteers who are 16-17 years old may volunteer without an adult on-site, but they must have a signature from a parent/guardian on the release form found in the online application.


Special Programs 📣

Ready for the next step? We have special programs for our volunteers depending on experience levels.

**Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate in off-site programs**


Junior Dog Walking Program:

For ages 15-17. Inquire with our Volunteer Coordinator kailynlopezpadilla@buttehumane.org


Breakfast Club:

Feed dogs and cats in the morning starting at 7:15am

Bone Appetite:

Feed dogs in the evening starting at 4pm


D.O.G. (Dog on the Go) 🐕:

Experienced volunteers with more than 20 hours of on-site dog walking can take a dog for a day away from the shelter.


Play Groups & Tandem Walks:

Volunteers may request play group training and partake in Tandem Walks if they have completed 35 hours of experience or more.


Mentor 🌟:

Mentors are trusted volunteers that embody the image and mission of BHS. Interested volunteers must have 30 hours or more within a 4 month period in the area they would like to be a mentor and be nominated by a staff member.


Q & A’s ❓:

I have volunteered with BHS in the past, do I still need to go through the Volunteer Process?

Yes. If it has been more than six months since you last volunteered, you will need to come back through the orientation, as oftentimes policies and procedures have changed.


I have volunteered with another rescue organization; do I still need to go through the BHS Volunteer sign-up process?

Yes. Every rescue is different with different protocols and procedures and it is imperative that all of our volunteers know how Butte Humane Society handles our animals for their safety and yours. Plus it’s fun – you will get to know other like-minded volunteers just like yourself.


Can I volunteer to satisfy required community service hours?

At this time we do not offer volunteer opportunities to fulfill court-ordered community service hours. Please check with the staff at City of Chico Animal Services for opportunities to do so through their organization. Their number is (530) 894-5630


Submit a volunteer application today! ✨

What's your email address?

Your information


Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
First Name *
Last Name *
Mobile Phone Number *

For example, 123-456-7890
Date of Birth *

A valid date as MM/DD/YYYY (for example: 11/30/2015)
Address *
Why do you want to get involved at Butte Humane Society? *
Do you have any animal experience of your own? *
Any Skills? *
Emergency Contact Name *
Emergency Contact Phone Number *

Waiver


Who is this registration for?

Volunteer Statement of Agreement General Release and Waiver

I am interested in serving as a volunteer for Butte Humane Society. I am prepared to receive orientation, training and supervision in order to devote time to this organization. I understand that Butte Humane Society is not responsible for any illness or injury caused by any animals that I come into contact with during my volunteer work. I thereby agree and release, indemnify, and hold harmless Butte Humane Society, PetSmart, and associated Officers, Directors and Agents from any and all claims, damages and liability arising from or related to my activities as a Butte Humane Society volunteer. I will hold Butte Humane Society harmless if I incur an injury while working as a volunteer.
WHEREAS, the undersigned volunteer (the “Volunteer”) realizes that Butte Humane Society is a non-profit corporation serving animal life in Butte County, CA and;
WHEREAS, major concerns of Butte Humane Society include providing non-lethal solutions to companion animal overpopulation;

WHEREAS, it is unfortunate that some of the animals entering Butte Humane Society become stressed under a shelter environment and as a result, their behavior is unpredictable;
NOW, THEREFORE in consideration of (i) the foregoing premises, (ii) Volunteer being allowed in Butte Humane Society and (iii) Butte Humane Society reliance upon the execution of this waiver and release by Volunteer, Volunteer agrees as follows:

1. Volunteer assumes full responsibility for any and all injuries Volunteer may sustain while serving as a volunteer at Butte Humane Society or with respect to Butte Humane Society activities away from the shelter and clinic.

2. Volunteer assumes full responsibility for any and all medical costs associated with injuries sustained as a volunteer, whether at or away from Butte Humane Society, subject to coverage under any medical insurance carried by Volunteer personally or by Volunteer’s employer.

3. Volunteer grants Butte Humane Society permission to use their likeness in a photograph and/or video in any and all of its publications, including website entries, without payment or any other consideration. Volunteer understands and agrees that these materials will become the property of Butte Humane Society and will not be returned. Volunteer hereby irrevocably authorizes Butte Humane Society to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish or distribute any photo and/or video for purposes of publicizing Butte Humane Society’s programs or for any other lawful purpose.

4. Volunteer hereby releases Butte Humane Society from any and all claims for personal injuries while a volunteer at Butte Humane Society or while performing volunteer activities regardless of location.

I understand that I may have access to confidential information, including but not limited to donor, volunteer, staff, and animal lists or records. Disclosure of confidential information of Butte Humane Society is unacceptable. I understand that this non-disclosure applies during and after my volunteer time with Butte Humane Society. Any copying, reproducing, or distributing of confidential information is not permissible. Confidential information remains the property of Butte Humane Society. Questions concerning whether information is confidential should be directed to the Executive Director.