Our volunteer and foster teams are integral to all aspects of EHS’ work, from animal care and enrichment to fundraising and more. Whether it’s dog walking, cat cuddling, bonding with bunnies, dishes, laundry, coin counting, administrative and event assistance, or even cutting the grass — lend a paw to help animals in need at EHS!
These programs are inclusive and positive, where new people are welcomed, and seasoned veterans are happy to mentor.
Have your team join our Shelter Takeover program! EHS’ Shelter Takeover program invites organizations to “takeover” the shelter for a day.
Learn More About Our Shelter Takeover Program
Become an EHS Animal Ambassador! This volunteer role is an opportunity for EHS adopters and their pets to represent the organization at various events and local community engagement opportunities.
Ambassador volunteers will greet members of the public, introduce their furry companion, share their unique adoption story and encourage others to help support the organization’s mission and vision. Learn more about becoming an Animal Ambassador.
Certain volunteer opportunities allow for youth to participate independently, while others may require a parent or guardian to volunteer along side you. Review the role requirements in the description to check and make sure that a parent or guardian completes an application if needed.
Some opportunities allow youth volunteers to participate with an adult. Please ensure you submit 2 separate applications; 1 for you and 1 for the youth volunteer.
To support your client during their volunteer experience, please ensure that 2 separate applications are submitted; 1 for you and 1 for your client. Questions about accommodations? Email us at volunteer@edmontonhumanesociety.com.
At EHS, both volunteers and fosters play a vital role in helping us care for animals in need. Whether you’re looking to volunteer on-site or open your home to a foster animal, here’s how to get started.
Create an online volunteer account and submit your application for your chosen role. Please allow approximately 1 week for our team to review and process your application.
We provide onboarding and training tailored to your chosen path as a volunteer or foster.
Online training must be completed within 1 week of approval. Most can be done sooner based on availability.
Volunteers and Fosters are essential members of our EHS community. We can’t wait to welcome more compassionate and dedicated individuals to our team!
This ensures a smooth review process and helps us ensure the role best matches your skills and interests.
You can absolutely have resident animals in the home, whether that’s dogs, cats, birds, or anything in between!
We just ask that all resident animals have updated vaccination status and be spayed or neutered. If they are not spayed/neutered or vaccinated, we would require a reason why (i.e. age, medical concerns, etc.).
EHS covers all costs, supplies and medical appointments for the animal to be comfortable while they are in your care.
Food, litter, little box supplies, beds, and even things like dog waste bags will be supplied to you. We just ask that all supplies be returned when the animal is returned to EHS so that we can utilize them for the next foster.
We have many fosters that have full-time employment, and it’s something we can accommodate. The only thing we ask is that the animal is not left alone for longer than 12 hours at a time.
We only require the applicant to complete the criminal record check, and anyone who is over the age of 18 living in the household is able to care for the animal. We may ask for their contact information if you are going to be gone for over 24 hours so we can contact someone in an emergency.
We are ALWAYS looking for more foster volunteers that have availability to do short day trips or sleepovers with dogs in our care. It’s extremely beneficial to the dog’s welfare and wellbeing to have a break from the shelter. Having a short break to decompress or get a good night’s sleep improves an animal’s adoptability.
After retiring, Kathy was eager to give back. Inspired by a love of animals, volunteering at EHS — where she met her dog Cinco — was the perfect way to make a difference.