1. Complete a volunteer application.*

2. When you have completed the application, bring it to PHS.

3. Attend an orientation at the shelter.  Please check our calendar of events to see when our next orientation will be held.

4. Attend a 30-minute one-on-one training session with the volunteer manager.

5. Choose which Volunteer Opportunities you would like to participate in.

Earn the President's Volunteer Service Award when you volunteer your time to help the animals at Portsmouth Humane Society!

• *Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Children between the ages of 10-15 can volunteer with a parent or legal guardian, and are restricted to certain Volunteer Opportunities.
  
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Upcoming Volunteer Events
If you are interested in volunteering at any of our events, please email volunteermgr@portsmouthhumanesociety.org!

PetSmart Pet Center Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to assist at the Cat center at the Hilltop PetSmart in Virginia Beach. Click here for more details.

Nursing Home Visits
Do you want to share your love for animals with others?  So do we!  PHS volunteers will visit Autumn Care of Portsmouth and Sentara Nursing Center on one Saturday per month.  Volunteers are needed to transport and escort the dogs to the facilities. We bring our residents to spread joy to the nursing home residents.

Adopt-a-Thon at PetSmart (Hilltop Plaza, VA Beach)
Sunday Feb. 12
11am - 3pm

Animal escorts are needed. You must be a Three Paw level volunteer.

Harley Gras at Bayside Harley Davidson
2211 Frederick Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Saturday Feb. 18
10am - 2pm

Animal escorts are needed. You must be a Three Paw level volunteer.

Adopt-a-Thon at PETCO (5900 Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk)
Sunday Feb. 19
11am - 3pm

Animal escorts are needed. You must be a Three Paw level volunteer.

4th Annual "Cause for Paws"
5K Run, 1 Mile Dog Walk & Festival
Saturday April 28, 2012
10am - 4pm
North Landing (#1 Crawford Parkway, Portsmouth, Virginia)

Volunteer Levels:

One Paw - Has attended general orientation and training - No Kennel Access (staff can bring dog out to them) - Can enter cat colony room and pet cats (if there is room, not interfering with the public) - Can attend off site events with no animal handling (ex. Gift Wrapping)	Two Paw - Has attended a general orientation and training - Has attended a Bark Free Workshop and has kennel access - Can enter cat colony room and pet and brush cats (if there is room, not interfering with the public) - Can walk dogs - Can attend off site events with no animal handling (ex. Gift Wrapping) - Is encouraged to attend PACK and join a PACK team
Three Paw - Has attended orientation and training - Has attended a Bark Free Workshop and has kennel access - Can enter cat colony room and pet, brush, photograph (if there is room, not interfering with the public)  - Can walk dogs - Can attend off site events and handle/escort animals - PACK Team memeber - Has attended PACK at least 3 times in the past 6 months	Four Paw - Has attended orientation and training - Can enter cat colony room and pet, brush, photograph, and assist with cleaning catroom and cats (if there is room, not interfering with the public) - May also groom and assist with other feline procedures per Shelter Manager - Can walk dogs - Can attend off site events and handle/escort animals - Is a PACK Team Leader

 

Nursing Home Visits
Join us the 1st Saturday of every month from 10am to 12pm as we take animals to visit with the residents of Autumn Care of Portsmouth and Sentara Nursing Home! Contact or call (757) 397-6004 to sign up!

Foster Volunteer
Open your heart and home to provide temporary care for a cat or dog when you become a Foster Volunteer! Animals may be placed in foster homes for a variety of reasons: illness, injury, they are too young for adoption, and more.

We will supply you with food, bowls, blankets and instructions to allow you to successfully care for the kittens. We supply the resources- you supply the love!

Please call us at (757) 397-6004 or email communications@portsmouthhumanesociety.org for more information on becoming a Foster Parent! Download the application here!

PACK Training Team
Portsmouth Association of Canine Knowledge

The PACK Team, led by dog trainer Dale Ward, is a group of PHS volunteers who are trained to teach dogs basic obedience commands and focus on any behavioral issues so the dogs may be more prepared for their forever homes.  All volunteers are invited to join!

The PACK Team is open to any PHS Volunteer who is willing to dedicate at least 1 hour per week to spend with an assigned dog as well as attend a monthly training meeting with a certified trainer to evaluate the dog’s progress. Contact volunteermgr@portsmouthhumanesociety.org or call (757) 397-6004 to sign up!



Trainer Dale Ward leads the PACK Training Team to teach dogs basic commands
such as sit, stay and how to walk on a leash!

Pet Center Volunteer

Volunteer your time at our PetSmart Adoption Center! This flexible opportunity allows our volunteers to choose designated morning or afternoon/evening hours to work at the PetSmart Adoption Center- hours that the shelter is typically closed. The volunteers will interact with the public, show the wonderful cats available for adoption, help provide day-to-day care for the cats and, when properly trained, conduct adoptions.

Morning caretakers are needed at both locations between 6am and 9am, afternoon/evening caretakers are needed between 4pm and 7pm.

This all volunteer opportunity has found new homes for hundreds of Portsmouth Humane Society cats and depends on dedicated cat lovers for our continued success.

Visit our PetSmart Adoption Center:
501 Hilltop Plaza Shopping Center
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

If you're interested in volunteering your time, please email
Pe