Volunteer FAQs

ARE THERE ANY AGE REQUIREMENTS TO VOLUNTEER?
At this time we are accepting volunteers 16 and older, we hope to get back to accepting junior volunteers again soon!

• Junior Volunteers, ages 12-15 years old, may volunteer with an Adult Volunteer Partner over the age of 21.

• Teen Volunteers are 16-17 years of age and are able to volunteer independently and must have a “Junior & Teen Volunteer Waiver and Release” form completed with guardian consent.

• Junior & Teen Volunteers must attend STEPS training. Junior Volunteers will be accompanied by their Adult Volunteer Partner at all times while volunteering at the shelter.
   

WHAT IF I NEED SERVICE HOURS FOR A SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY PROJECT?

We currently are not accepting volunteers for service hours at this time outside of those who go through our STEPS volunteer program to regularly volunteer at Columbus Humane. Court ordered service hours cannot be fulfilled at this location.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO VOLUNTEER?

• Must be ages 12 or older to volunteer at Columbus Humane.

• Must Attend an Informational Meeting, and then submitted an application and be accepted.

• Must attend STEPS volunteer training, sign an Annual Volunteer Waiver, and agree to our Code of Conduct.

• Must be able to commit to 4 hours of volunteering per month.

WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO VOLUNTEER?

You must attend the STEPS Volunteer Training Program including our Shelter Info Session, species-specific virtual classes and hands-on mentoring (can we hyperlink it to H2 About Steps Page), complete the online Fear Free Sheltering Programs.

HOW LONG DOES STEPS VOLUNTEER TRAINING TAKE?

• For non-animal handling assignments 10 Hours of Training, which includes online learning and schedule class training.

• For Animal Care Volunteering assignments – 20 Hours of Training, which includes online learning, scheduling class training, and hands on mentoring with animals.

HOW CAN I HELP BEYOND VOLUNTEERING?

• If you are not able to commit to traditional volunteering at this time, we will have future group volunteering days where you can come in and help with activities that do not require formal training. Please check our group volunteering page for future dates and projects.

• Donations of items or funds is another impactful way you can help us at Columbus Humane.

• Sharing about Columbus Humane with your community, friends, colleagues, and family

• Follow Us on social media

WHAT KIND OF ITEMS DO YOU ACCEPT AS DONATIONS?

Please visit this section of our website to see our Columbus Humane Wish List and Amazon Wish List for all donations that are accepted at our shelter.

CAN OUR GROUP COME IN AND WALK DOGS?

Volunteers that work with our dogs must go through our formal STEPS Volunteer Training Program to be able to properly handle dogs in our care. We do have many wonderful volunteer opportunities for groups to invertedly help our dogs such as: Making Enrichment Treats, doing Laundry, and or Cleaning Dishes. Helping with these tasks greatly supports our Animal Care team who takes care our dogs at Columbus Humane!

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ONE-TIME GROUPS?

• Pet Food Distribution tasks such as: loading vans, sorting bags of food, unloading large donations of pet food, etc.

• Other tasks include: Enrichment Treat Making, Cleaning, Laundry, and Dishes

• For future dates and projects please visit our Group Volunteer Page.

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12?

We will have future group volunteering days where you can come in and help with activities that do not require formal training. Please check our group volunteering page for future dates and projects.

IF I AM ALLERGIC TO ANIMALS (CATS, DOGS, RABBITS, ETC.) OR HAVE CERTAIN FOODS ALLERGIES, CAN I STILL VOLUNTEER AT COLUMBUS HUMANE?

• There are a variety of volunteer opportunities for people that are not animal focused: Events, Food Distribution, Administrative Assistance, and more.

• We are a facility that contains allergens such as peanuts, nuts, and a variety of grains within the pet food at Columbus Humane.

• We suggest you consult with your doctor before visiting or volunteering at Columbus Humane.