Volunteering

Ways to Volunteer

  • Exercise/socialize animals — We rely on volunteers to walk the shelter dogs and play with the shelter cats. Volunteers must be 16 years to volunteer on their own or be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.  Please see the Visitor Form for full details.
  • For more detailed information about volunteering your time at the shelter, please read our page Volunteering 101.
  • Foster care — Volunteers are needed to provide foster care for animals that need some special care before coming into the shelter to be adopted. Foster homes are most often needed for nursing moms, pregnant animals about to give birth, animals recovering from an injury or surgery or to provide a home for an animal that needs extra socialization. Once you become a foster home, you will be contacted on a case by case basis to see if you are available and able to care for an animal that is currently in need. Please click here for more info.
  • Board members –Our organization is governed by a Board of Directors that meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month as needed. Board Members provide oversight of the operations of the organization as well as represent the Humane Society of North Iowa in the community. Please inquire at the shelter for more information on how to become a member of the Board of Directors if interested.
  • Community involvement –We need volunteers to represent the Humane Society of North Iowa at community events like school programs, community festivals and fairs, parades, service group meetings, nursing home, assisted living center visits, and more. If you like animals and people, this is a great opportunity for you!
  • Professional services — Are you a plumber, carpenter, or electrician who can lend a hand and save us a repair bill?  Let us know if you are willing to “in-kind” or offer your services at a reduced rate to our organization.

We would be thrilled to have you help us out as an individual, a family, or a service group.  We ask that groups of more than 5 call in ahead of time to let us know you are coming!

For more information on volunteering, contact HSNI or download the Visitor Application, fill it out, and return it to the HSNI office. (The Visitor Form is in Adobe PDF format and requires the Adobe Reader to view it. If you need a copy of the free Adobe Reader, visit Adobe’s web site.)

Volunteering 101

For more detailed information about volunteering your time at the shelter, please read our page Volunteering 101.

Group Visits

We welcome group visits to our shelter!  Here are the basics you should know:

  • We ask that groups of 5 or more call the shelter in advance to schedule their visit (641-423-6241).
  • To ensure everyone’s safe enjoyment, we ask that groups of visitors under the age of 16 have at least one adult supervisor for every 3 minors in the group.
  • No more than 10 kids per group visit.
  • Group visits are welcome during our regular shelter hours.
  • Visitors under the age of 18 are required to have a signed Visitor Form giving parental/guardian consent for them to volunteer at the shelter.

For more details about volunteering at the shelter, please read our page Volunteering 101.