The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is able to save and improve the lives of homeless pets because of our vast network of generous volunteers. They provide support at the shelter, at our numerous events, through our growing humane education programs and through our Pet Assisted Therapy Program. In return, our volunteer programs offer great learning opportunities, socialization and fun in an environment with one goal: to help homeless pets in need.

Volunteering for HSTT

Volunteer in Truckee

Complete the Online Volunteer Application & Agreement. Our Community Engagement Director, Erin Ellis, will email you to schedule a General Orientation. Or simply email or call Erin directly at, erin@hstt.org or (530) 582-2472, and she can help you with the application process and answer any questions you might have.

Kids are more than welcome to volunteer at the shelter with us, but must be at least 8 years of age and accompanied by a parent or guardian that is at least 18 years of age. Kids and parents/guardians must go through all of the necessary training(s) together. Children under 16 years of age must always be accompanied by a trained parent or legal guardian that is at least 18 years of age while volunteering. Teens 16-17 years of age, can volunteer on their own without adult supervision, but must complete all training beforehand.

Please note: Volunteer opportunities involving direct contact with HSTT pets require our General Orientation as well as Cat and/or Dog Socialization Trainings.

Read HSTT’s Volunteer Agreement (PDF)

Read HSTT’s Minor Liability Release Agreement (PDF)

If you are in need of court ordered community service hours, you must be 18yrs of age and willing to go through a background check. Court ordered hours include cleaning and helping with odds and ends around the facility. There is no animal handling for court ordered hours. There is a different process for needing court ordered hours. Please reach out to our Community Engagement Director, Erin Ellis, for more information, erin@hstt.org or (530) 582-2472.

Volunteer in South Lake Tahoe

Complete the Online Volunteer Application & Agreement. Our South Lake Tahoe Program Manager, Mariel Berei, will email you to schedule a General Orientation. Or simply email or call Mariel directly at mariel@hstt.org or 530-542-2857 and she can help you with the application process and answer any questions you might have.

Kids are more than welcome to volunteer with us at the South Lake Tahoe office location, but must be at least 8 years of age and accompanied by a parent or guardian that is at least 18 years of age. Kids and parents/guardians must go through all of the necessary training(s) together. Children under 16 years of age must always be accompanied by a trained parent or legal guardian that is at least 18 years of age while volunteering. Teens 16-17 years of age, can volunteer on their own without adult supervision, but must complete all training beforehand.

We cannot accommodate court ordered hours at our South Lake Tahoe office.

Please note: Volunteer opportunities involving direct contact with HSTT pets require our General Orientation as well as Cat Training (HSTT does not have a dog socialization program in South Lake).

Read HSTT’s Volunteer Agreement (PDF)

Read HSTT’s Minor Liability Release Agreement (PDF)

Fostering

An excellent way to help animals while enjoying the company of a pet on a short-term basis.

The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is able to save so many lives thanks, in part, to our foster program. Volunteer families provide a loving environment for HSTT pets who need a little extra TLC while awaiting adoption. You can choose to foster cats, dogs, puppies and/or kittens…whatever best fits into your lifestyle. We provide all the support and foster care items you need.

If you are interested in joining our family of foster volunteers, please complete the Foster Parent Application below. Training is required. Please contact Liz Alstott, our Volunteer and Foster Program Manager for details, 530-582-7719 or liz@hstt.org.

Learn more about Foster Pet Guidelines and complete the online general volunteer application here.

Pet Assisted Therapy

Bring a smile to patients, kids and seniors with your certified therapy pet.

Through this program, volunteers and their animals provide support by visiting patients in local hospitals, senior living facilities, various children’s programs as well as provide additional community support when needed. Volunteers and their pets find this program extremely rewarding, especially to see how positively people respond to the love of an animal. Enroll in this volunteer program and experience what a difference you can make in the lives of people. Other pet therapy opportunities include; working with children with Sierra Community House, Pet Pals (HSTT’s humane education program) and RUFF (Read Up for Fun).

Dogs must be owned dogs, at least a year of age, spayed or neutered and current on their rabies. There is a certification process to becoming a therapy team. To find out more about these rewarding support programs and how you and your dog can get involved, email or call Erin Ellis, Community Engagement Director at, erin@hstt.org or 530-582-2472.

Socialization

Helping to socialize and exercise adoptable pets through HSTT is a very important way for volunteers to help our animals get adopted and stay in their new homes.

The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe relies on volunteers to help socialize, train and exercise our pets and ready them for a successful adoption. Our socialization programs help our pets settle into the shelter much quicker by teaching dogs manners, how to behave on a walk and around other pets, and teaching cats how to trust, interact and play.

Sometimes socialization means building trust in these animals by simply sitting with them until they feel comfortable around people. There are so many ways to help in this area. We are always looking for new ideas and more volunteers.

Events

Help homeless pets by having fun!

The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is fortunate to be located in a community that supports a series of fun and successful fundraising events. Volunteer opportunities for HSTT events range from showing off adoptable dogs at our Black Tie & Tails fundraising gala, to selling beer tickets at the ever-popular Brews, Jazz and Funk at Palisades, or running an HSTT dog through the dogsled course at the annual Ididarun. HSTT events are not only a lot of fun, but a great way to meet other like-minded animal lovers while helping raise much needed funds for HSTT’s programs and services.