Champaign County Humane Society - 1911 East Main Street, Urbana, IL, 61802 - 217-344-7297

Becoming a CCHS Volunteer

For more information contact 2.volunteer@cuhumane.org

Download Adult Volunteer Brochure (PDF)

Download Youth Volunteer Brochure (PDF)
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Orientations for the adult volunteer program will be held monthly, so so check the Calender or email 2.volunteer@cuhumane.org for the exact date and time. You don't need to sign up for an orientation ahead of time - just come on by. You'll hear a presentation about the many ways you can help, fill out an application and sign up for a time to come in for additional training. Volunteers should expect to spend ~20hrs of their time at CCHS before being trained as a socializing volunteer. Also, because it takes time and energy to train new volunteers, we ask that all volunteers be able to commit to at least 4 months of volunteering but expect that once they become a trained CCHS volunteer they’ll never want to leave!  Here's a brief description of current programs, but please attend and orientation to learn more.

Volunteers who are members of Facebook are invited to join the Champaign-County-Humane-Society-Volunteers.

Kennel Assistants
Dog, Cat, and Small Animal Kennel Assistants help ensure that the animals at CCHS have a safe, clean environment in which to live.  This project is a prerequisite to the Socializing projects. Requires one shift per week and applicants should be able to commit to at least 4 months of volunteering. Shifts: Dogs: 8:30-11, 2-5, 5-7; Cats & Small Animals: 8:30-11, 12-2

 Adoption Counselor
Adoption Counselors work at the CCHS front desk to greet potential adopters and help them select the right pet. Requires one three hour shift a week.

Shifts: M-F: 2-5, 5-8; Sat: 11-3; 3-7; Sun: 11-2, 2-5

 Fostering
Foster parents provide a temporary home for animals who need a little extra TLC. Some of them are sick, or scared, or pregnant. Some of them are too young to thrive in a shelter environment. To give them the best chance at finding a forever home we place these special needs animals with foster homes until they’re ready to come back to the shelter to be adopted.  For more information follow this link.
Small Animal Socializer
Small Animal Socializers help provide stimulation to the small animals to help increase their adoptability.  Prerequisite:  Successful completion of the Small Animal Kennel Assistant program. Requires one two hour shift a week. Shifts: 11-2, 4-6, 5-7		 Cat Socializer
Cat Socializers help provide stimulation and human socialization through positive interactions with the cats up for adoption at CCHS.  Prerequisite:  Successful completion of the Cat Kennel Assistant program. Requires one three hour shift a week. Shifts: 11-2, 4-6, 5-7		 Dog Socializer
Dog Socializers help provide physical and mental stimulation to the dogs up for adoption at CCHS.  There are three levels that volunteers may progress through in this program.  Dog Socializers gain valuable training experience, and our dogs get adopted faster!  Prerequisite:  Successful completion of the Dog Kennel Assistant program. Requires one three hour shift a week. Shifts: 8-11, 9-12, 3-6, 4-7
Animal Training and Enrichment
Members of this program will provide mental stimulation through feeding and giving
treats with KONG toys. Volunteers in this program will help provide clean blankets
and toys to increase the adoptability of CCHS dogs and cats. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Animal Kennel Program. Shifts available upon request.  
 Medical Lab Program
Medical Lab Volunteers help maintain the heath of our animal population by performing a variety of duties including giving medical treatments and exams. Requires one four hour shift a week. Shifts: 8-12. 11-3, 12-4:40		 Humane Educator
Volunteer Humane Educators give tours of the Humane Society, assist with presentations in the community, and represent CCHS at education-based off-site events.  Educational engagements are scheduled for varying times, so Humane Educators volunteers work on an "as needed"  basis.
Special Events Volunteers represent CCHS at most off-site events.  These events help to bring awareness to CCHS as an organization which in turn helps our animals find forever homes.  These events are also excellent opportunities to educate the public about humane treatment of animals.  Special events are scheduled for varying times, so Special Events Volunteers work on an as needed  basis.  By running a concession stand at Illini football home games we've earned almost $15,000 for the care of the animals at the shelter. We hope to have a larger stand this year which will require 18 to 22 workers per game. Specific volunteer jobs include: taking orders and money, pouring drinks, filling popcorn boxes, salting pretzels, running the famous cheese machine and setting up nachos, cooking hot dogs, (making French fries if we get the larger stand), cleaning the stand and condiments table, stocking chips and candy and doing inventory.  Follow this link to learn more.

Giant Garage Sale
Beginning with set up in mid May, continuing to the actual sale on the Fri and Sat of Memorial Day weekend, and finally the cleanup - this event is our oldest and biggest fundraiser and also single greatest need for volunteers. Whatever your skills, we can use you - unloading cars, cleaning, sorting, pricing, organizing, running cash registers, use of your vehicle to transport supplies to and from the shelter - the list is endless. Follow this link to learn more.

Location: Champaign County Fairgrounds
Art Department
Art Department Volunteers help us design posters, update printed materials, and keep the shelter looking beautiful. Photographers and volunteers with creative and artistic abilities are encouraged to apply. Hours are flexible.
 

Youth Volunteers (ages 10 -17)

Download Youth Volunteer Brochure (PDF)

The Youth Volunteer Program is geared towards children 10 - 17 years of age that are eager to volunteer their time for the humane society.  As with most volunteer programs at the humane society, youth volunteers will begin as kennel assistants and do basic cleaning tasks such as dishes and laundry to help ensure the animals have clean blankets and toys to keep them happy and comfortable.  After 20 hours of volunteer time as a kennel assistant and completion of an animal handling training session, youth volunteers will be eligible to help socialize cats, kittens and small animals. NOTE: Volunteers ages 10-15 must be accompanied by an adult.

To become a part of this exciting youth volunteer program, volunteers should expect to:

  1. Visit the website calendar to view upcoming youth orientation dates/times and then send an e-mail to 2.volunteer@cuhumane.org to register for a youth orientation.
  2. Attend a volunteer orientation (ages 10-13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times).
  3. Provide written approval from a parent/guardian.
  4. Schedule volunteer time(s) in advance.
  5. Commit to at least four months of volunteering for a minimum of 4 hours per month.

VOLUNTEERS MUST BE 18 YEARS OLD TO WALK DOGS.

Something everyone can do - no experience necessary!

Fold Newspapers for the Shelter

© 2010 - Champaign County Humane Society, 1911 East Main, Urbana, IL 61801 USA