Make a Difference – Become a HSFN volunteer!

The Humane Society for Greater Nashua is committed to providing each volunteer with a rewarding and productive experience. We offer a well-structured volunteer program and a chance to make a difference in the lives of our animals. HSFN also provides all the necessary orientations, training, and support you need to succeed.

Interested in volunteering with HSFN? Check out the opportunities and steps below for how to get started!
General Volunteers

Assist in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the shelter’s pets and creating an inviting environment for potential adopters and clients to provide the best possible service to the community through everyday tasks such as laundry, dishes, sorting donations, sweeping, cleaning, and organizing. 

General Volunteers assist with all of the supplementary tasks that keep the shelter running smoothly, without direct animal handling.

General Volunteers must be age 16 or older. See position description here.

Administrative Volunteers

Assist shelter staff with projects such as data entry, mailings, filing, and organizational projects.

Volunteers can help with administrative tasks starting at the age of 18.

Board of Trustees

The board has three primary responsibilities: establish strategy, ensure resources, and provide oversight. The board works in partnership with the President/CEO, who is responsible for the daily operations of the organization.

For more information on the Board of Trustees and how to apply please click here.

Cat & Small Animal Volunteers

Assist with providing necessary care and socialization to our feline & small animal residents by cleaning dishes, litterboxes, and cages, as well as creating enrichment and spending time with adoptable pets.

In the morning, volunteers primarily clean and organize to get the animals and spaces ready for adoption hours. In the afternoon, volunteers will focus on enrichment, socialization, and tidying up spaces to keep animals comfortable and happy.

Volunteers can help with cat & small animal care starting at age 16. See position description here.

Maintenance Volunteers

Help keep the shelter grounds clean and functional by weed whacking, lawn mowing, and trail maintenance. Assist with other projects such as painting, general repairs, and more.

Volunteers can help with yardwork starting at the age of 16.

Foster Care Volunteers

The Foster Care Program allows shelter cats, dogs, and small animals to recover from illness, nurse their young, and/or become a well-socialized pets in the comfort of a home environment. Our foster needs focus primarily on cats with the occasional need for dog and small animal fosters.

To apply to join our foster care program, please fill out this application.

Applicants must be 18 or older, live in NH, and have a separate room to keep foster pets isolated from any owned pets.

Dog Volunteers

Volunteers have the opportunity to help with our dogs in a couple of different ways; dog care or dog walking.

Dog Care Volunteers:

Assist with maintaining the comfort and cleanliness of adoptable dogs & their living quarters through cleaning kennels, washing laundry, doing dishes, creating enrichment, and more.

Volunteers can help with dog care starting at the age of 16. See position description here.

Dog Walking Volunteers:

Help provide the shelter’s adoptable dogs with physical activity and enrichment through walks, playtime, and more. Dog Walkers also assist with cleaning, laundry, dishes, and other essential tasks. For the safety of our animals and volunteers, only volunteers who can demonstrate proper handling after training will be approved.

Volunteers can help with dog walking starting at the age of 18. See position description here.

Event Volunteers

HSFN hosts many events each year and can always use volunteer support at fundraising events throughout the community. Event Volunteers assist with tabling, sharing information about the shelter, event set-up, and clean-up, directing guests, and much more. 

Volunteers can assist with events starting at age 16. 

Community Service Volunteers

Volunteers looking to complete mandatory court-ordered community service must be at least 18 years of age and will only be accepted if the individual plans on completing over 40 hours, or on an as-needed basis. After filling out the volunteer application, the applicant will be contacted by the Director of Volunteer Resources.

By filling out the application, the individual is not guaranteed community service at the shelter. Applicants are accepted given that certain requirements can be met and if there is availability at that time. A copy of court documentation as well as a letter of intent stating your commitment to the hours is required.

How to Get Started
  1. Review the opportunities and requirements- We are happy to accept volunteer applications from interested individuals who want to support the shelter. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age to volunteer and 18 years of age to work with our dogs. There are several different volunteer opportunities available at HSFN for volunteers to work directly with animals, or assist with supportive tasks. To safely and effectively serve as a volunteer at the animal shelter, volunteers must possess certain capabilities outlined in the essential capabilities document.

After you have reviewed the various volunteer opportunities available, you should move on to the next step.

2. Submit an application- Click Here to access our online application. Please complete the application in full and provide as much detail as possible. Foster Care applicants should fill out this separate application instead

3. Wait for an invitation to orientation- Our Director of Volunteer Resources will review your application and get back to you with more information about upcoming orientation dates and currently open shifts. 

Questions?

Call us at 603.889.2275 for more information.

Your Donation Matters

We are engaged in rescues and providing care to over 2,500 animals annually, but we can’t do it alone. Donations help assure we have a safe and healthy place for stray, unwanted and rescued animals and help us get them well and adopted. Please consider making a gift, thank you.

 

Donate Now