Volunteer at Cascades Humane Society

Whether you want to walk dogs, cuddle cats, help at events, or keep our five-acre grounds beautiful, there's a role here that fits. CHS volunteers are involved in virtually every aspect of the shelter — and we'll find the right spot for you.

How to Get Started

The first step is a Volunteer Orientation. Complete the online application and you'll be connected to the next available orientation date and time. Orientation is required before beginning any volunteer role at CHS. From there, our team will match you with opportunities that fit your schedule, interests, and skills. No prior animal care experience is required for most roles — training is provided on the job.

Volunteer Roles at CHS

Every role on this list makes a direct difference for the animals in our care. Whether you have a few hours a week or want to show up for a single event, there's a place for you here.



  • Animal Care: Clean cat condos and dog kennels, walk dogs, groom and socialize animals, and spend one-on-one time with cats and dogs. Animal care can be done any time the building is open — the most efficient times for direct animal interaction are 9:00 AM to noon and 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
  • Dog Walking: Help our dogs get their daily exercise, fresh air, and bathroom breaks — and reinforce good manners along the way. Dog Walker Training is a one-hour class required before walking dogs independently, available after completing 10 hours of housekeeping.
  • Housekeeping: Keep CHS clean and welcoming for the animals and the people who visit them. Tasks include sweeping, mopping, window washing, and laundry. This is the entry point for most new volunteers and a critical part of daily shelter operations.
  • Foster Care: Open your home to kittens or puppies who need time to grow, pregnant or nursing animals who need extra attention, or pets recovering from illness or injury. Foster volunteers provide the stability and care that makes permanent placement possible.
  • Special Events: Staff information booths, greet guests, answer questions about the shelter, and help run CHS events and fundraisers throughout the year. If you enjoy working with people, this is the role for you — no animal handling required.
  • Maintenance and Grounds: Help with minor building repairs and upkeep across our large facility. Volunteers with skills in building maintenance and repair are especially welcome.
  • Administrative and Office: Support CHS operations with data entry, filing, mailings, packet preparation, and other office tasks. If you're comfortable with computers and office work, this role makes a real difference behind the scenes.
  • Gardening Club: Help maintain our five acres of outdoor space, including the Memorial Gardens, Paw Playground, Pond, and Gazebo. No Master Gardener certification required — just a love of being outside.
  • Greeter: Welcome visitors as they arrive, direct them through the shelter, and answer general questions. Training is provided on-site and no prior experience is needed.

Volunteer Guidelines and What to Expect on Your Shift

Knowing what to expect before your first shift makes everything easier. Please review the guidelines below before you arrive — they exist to keep you, the animals, and the rest of our team safe and working well together.

When you arrive:

  • Park in the public parking area closest to the pond and use the employee entrance leading to the back hallway
  • Lock all valuables in your car before coming in
  • Go directly to administration to pick up your volunteer name badge — you are required to wear it at all times during your shift
  • When your shift is complete, record your hours and the department you worked in, then leave your name badge in the basket

General policies:

  • All volunteers must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes — CHS uses hospital-grade cleaning chemicals and this requirement is non-negotiable
  • Report any injury to administration immediately; an incident report will be completed
  • Hazard Communication Training is provided to all volunteers
  • CHS reserves the right to perform a criminal background check on any volunteer
  • The more time volunteers spend with the animals and communicating with adoption staff, the better each animal's chances of finding a home — your engagement directly impacts outcomes



Volunteer hours:

  • Sunday and Monday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed to the public)
  • Tuesday through Saturday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Volunteer Guidelines and What to Expect on Your Shift

Knowing what to expect before your first shift makes everything easier. Please review the guidelines below before you arrive — they exist to keep you, the animals, and the rest of our team safe and working well together.

When you arrive:

  • Park in the public parking area closest to the pond and use the employee entrance leading to the back hallway
  • Lock all valuables in your car before coming in
  • Go directly to administration to pick up your volunteer name badge — you are required to wear it at all times during your shift
  • When your shift is complete, record your hours and the department you worked in, then leave your name badge in the basket

General policies

  • All volunteers must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes — CHS uses hospital-grade cleaning chemicals and this requirement is non-negotiable
  • Report any injury to administration immediately; an incident report will be completed
  • Hazard Communication Training is provided to all volunteers
  • CHS reserves the right to perform a criminal background check on any volunteer
  • The more time volunteers spend with the animals and communicating with adoption staff, the better each animal's chances of finding a home — your engagement directly impacts outcomes

Volunteer hours

Sunday and Monday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed to the public)

Tuesday through Saturday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Volunteer Questions, Answered

  • How do I volunteer at Cascades Humane Society?

    Complete the online application on this page and you'll be connected to the next available Volunteer Orientation date and time. Orientation is required before beginning any role at CHS, and all volunteers must read the volunteer handout and sign the volunteer agreement and waiver of liability. After orientation, our team will help match you with opportunities that fit your availability and interests. Most roles require no prior animal care experience — we provide training for everything.

  • Do I need experience with animals to volunteer at CHS?

    No. Most volunteer roles at CHS do not require prior animal handling experience, and training is provided for every position. The one exception is dog walking, which requires a one-hour Dog Walker Training class after you've completed 10 hours of housekeeping. If you're new to working with animals, housekeeping and greeter roles are great starting points.

  • What should I wear and bring to my volunteer shift?

    Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes — this is required for all volunteers due to the hospital-grade chemicals used throughout the facility. Lock any valuables in your car before coming in. You'll pick up your name badge from administration when you arrive and return it when your shift ends.

  • Can I volunteer at CHS if I only have a few hours a month?

    Yes. CHS has roles that accommodate a wide range of availability, including one-time event support with no ongoing commitment. When you complete the application, let us know your schedule and we'll connect you with roles that fit. Even a single shift contributes directly to the animals in our care.

  • What is foster care volunteering, and how is it different from adopting?

    Foster volunteers provide temporary care for animals who aren't yet ready for adoption — kittens or puppies who need time to grow, animals recovering from illness or injury, or pregnant and nursing pets who need extra attention. CHS provides support, guidance, and supplies throughout the placement. Fostering is temporary by design; when the animal is ready, they move on to a permanent home. Learn more on our Foster page.