Becoming a CCHS Volunteer
For more information contact 2.volunteer@cuhumane.orgVolunteers 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 Requires one shift per week and applicants should be able to commit to at least 4 months of volunteering. Shifts: Dogs or Cats: 8-11, 10-1; Small Animals: 10-12, 12-2
Adoption CounselorAdoption 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
FosteringFoster 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 SocializerSmall 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: 1-3, 2-4, 3-5, 4-6, 5-7
Cat SocializerCat 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: 1-4, 2-5, 3-6, 4-7
Dog SocializerDog 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 EnrichmentMembers of this program will provide mental stimulation through feeding and giving
treats with KONGR 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 ProgramMedical 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 EducatorVolunteer 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
Something everyone can do - no experience necessary!
Fold Newspapers for the Shelter
Art DepartmentArt Department Volunteers help us design posters, update printed materials, and keep the shelter looking beautiful. Hours are flexible.
Apprentice Volunteers
The apprentice volunteer program is for children 14 – 17 years old that want to volunteer for the humane society. Though tasks are limited for this program, apprentice volunteers are helpful with animal socializing. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OLD TO WALK DOGS. To become a part of the apprentice volunteer program you must:
- Attend a volunteer orientation.
- Provide written approval for your parent/guardian.
- Schedule volunteer time in advance.
Apprentice volunteers are welcome to take part in cat/kitten socializing, puppy socializing, critter socializing, cage cleaning and are also welcome to volunteer for selected special events. Download Apprentice Application
Junior Volunteers
The junior volunteer program is for children 10 – 13 years old that want to volunteer for the humane society. Junior volunteers must be accompanied by an approved adult mentor. Though tasks are limited for this program, junior volunteers are helpful with animal socializing. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OLD TO WALK DOGS. To become a part of the junior volunteer program you must:
- Attend a volunteer orientation with your adult mentor.
- Schedule volunteer time in advance.
Junior volunteers are welcome to take part in cat/kitten socializing, puppy socializing, critter socializing and cage cleaning. Download Junior Application