Give your time.
Make a difference.
Columbus Humane Society depends on caring volunteers to help animals, support foster families, connect with adopters, and strengthen our community.
Small acts create life-changing results.
Volunteers extend the reach of our foster-based rescue and help more animals receive care, visibility, and opportunities for adoption.
Help animals directly
Support the daily work that keeps animals safe, healthy, socialized, and ready for permanent homes.
Support the community
Help adopters, foster families, donors, and community members connect with useful information and resources.
Use your strengths
Put your time, creativity, organization, communication, or technical abilities to work for a meaningful cause.
Volunteer opportunities
Needs change throughout the year. Contact us to learn which roles are currently available.
Adoption events
Help welcome visitors, share information about available pets, support animal handlers, and keep events organized.
Pet transportation
Assist with approved transportation to veterinary appointments, adoption events, foster homes, or supply pickups.
Photography and profiles
Take appealing pet photographs and help write accurate, engaging descriptions for adoption listings.
Community outreach
Share adoption, foster, spay/neuter, and responsible pet-ownership information throughout the community.
Fundraising and events
Help plan, promote, set up, staff, and clean up fundraising or awareness events.
Supplies and organization
Sort donations, prepare foster supplies, maintain inventories, and help distribute needed items.
Administrative support
Assist with approved data entry, phone calls, scheduling, document preparation, or other office tasks.
Digital and social media
Help create approved posts, update information, promote events, and celebrate successful adoptions.
Four simple steps
Contact us
Tell us about your interests, availability, experience, and skills.
Choose a role
We will discuss current needs and identify an appropriate opportunity.
Get oriented
Learn the expectations, safety procedures, contacts, and boundaries for your role.
Make an impact
Volunteer responsibly, communicate clearly, and help animals and people succeed.
Reliable, respectful, animal-centered support.
- Follow role instructions and safety procedures
- Treat animals, visitors, foster families, and volunteers respectfully
- Protect confidential applicant and adopter information
- Communicate promptly if plans or availability change
- Stay within the responsibilities assigned to your role
- Raise concerns through the appropriate CHS contact
Volunteers under 18: Opportunities may depend on the activity, supervision, and current organizational requirements. Contact CHS before making plans.
Questions about volunteering
Do I need animal-care experience?
Not necessarily. Some roles involve animals while others focus on events, outreach, supplies, administration, photography, or communications. Training and expectations vary by role.
How much time do I need to commit?
Time commitments vary. Some opportunities may be occasional or event-based, while others may benefit from a recurring schedule.
Can I volunteer if I cannot foster?
Yes. Fostering is only one way to help. Event, transport, outreach, fundraising, administrative, and digital roles may also be available.
Can groups volunteer together?
Group opportunities depend on current projects, supervision, scheduling, and safety considerations. Contact CHS with the group's size, ages, availability, and interests.
Will I work directly with animals?
Some roles may involve animals, but not all do. Direct animal work depends on the role, experience, orientation, and current needs.
Tell us how you would like to help.
Contact Columbus Humane Society to ask about current volunteer opportunities.
Other ways to help
Open your home as a foster or support animal care with a donation.