HSCI Humane Society of Central Illinois
Humane Society of Central Illinois

Volunteers Volunteer Opportunities

The Humane Society of Central Illinois has many wonderful volunteer programs. Our volunteers are helping the animals in many different ways, and we always need people to join this special group. Please see if there are any areas in which you are interested. To get started, register to attend a Volunteer Orientation session. See the Calendar of Events for upcoming dates and times when orientations are scheduled. Orientation dates are posted on the calendar the third Friday of each month. Please contact HSCI at (309)451-1000 to sign-up. Attendance is limited.

Those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent at volunteer training and each and every time they volunteer.

Volunteers are welcome at the Pet Adoption Center anytime between the hours of 7:00 am and 8:00 pm, every day of the year. Some of the activities you can help with are:

Walking Dogs:   Dogs are scheduled for three walks daily; 7:00 - 9:00 am, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, and 6:00 - 8:00 pm. If comfortable, volunteers can brush and bathe dogs during non-walk/play times.

Working in the cat rooms:   The cat rooms are cleaned and disinfected every morning and the staff always needs help with this. Each cage is swept out and washed and each cat is given a clean litter box, food and water, a towel and toys. Throughout the day, pet waste is removed and water can be checked. All cats need socialization and attention which helps with their transition to a new home.

Laundry:   All of the cats have towels and other soft items in their cages, and dogs have blankets for comfort. These items are washed daily.

Dishes:   Dog and cat bowls, litter boxes, and toys are washed daily to keep the animals' environment as clean as possible to reduce the chance of illnesses.

Grooming:   Brushing, bathing, and trimming nails helps with socialization and adoptability and provides one-to-one human attention.

Other:   Maintenance such as cleaning the office, mowing the grass, washing windows, trimming bushes, pulling weeds, and picking up garbage and dog waste from the yard.

Office:   Due to the nature of the work in the office, volunteer opportunities are quite limited. Volunteers will be selected for specific tasks as deemed appropriate.

Committees:   There are several committees that need volunteers. The Events / Public Relations committee meets the third Monday of each month at 5:30 pm at the Pet Adoption Center and is always in need of people to plan, publicize, chair, and staff events. The Education committee needs assistance with conducting presentations to various groups. To assist with a committee, please call the Pet Adoption Center and the committee chairperson will be notified.

Event / Public Relations Committee
  • Plan and organize projects
  • Publicize upcoming events
  • Donate craft work
  • Donate baked goods
  • Sit at the booth at the fair and other events
  • Help set up booths
  • Write letters / Calls

Education Committee

  • Plan and organize projects
  • Public Speaking

Field Investigations Committee

  • Field Investigations (requires experience with HSCI and selection)

Pet Adoption Center

  • Animal Care
  • Cleaning
  • Laundry
  • Maintenance
  • Carpentry
  • Grounds
Help In Any Way Needed
  • Please ask

Volunteers Event Notification Form

If you represent an organization or business planning something to benefit HSCI, please let us know. You can simply fill out this short Event Notification Form.

Service Projects

We receive many requests from groups who would like to perform a few hours of volunteer service as part of a class requirement, club service project, or as a bonding activity. If your group would like to perform a Service Project, please visit our Service Projects webpage for details on how to plan and organize the project.

Good Neighbor Grant Program!

Are you a current or retired State Farm employee?

If you are an employee, agent, or retiree of State Farm, your volunteer hours can help HSCI even more. Through the Good Neighbor Grant Program, the State Farm Companies Foundation awards a $500 grant on behalf of each State Farm associate who volunteers a minimum of 40 hours a year. HSCI is an eligible nonprofit organization. We would appreciate your support in this program.

If you are not currently a volunteer, please attend a volunteer orientation to learn about our organization and discover your choices in volunteering.

Animal Care Volunteers

  1. Log your time into the State Farm volunteer log at the volunteer table each time you volunteer.
  2. Drop off a Good Neighbor Grant form to our office staff.
  3. Complete at least 40 hours.

Other Volunteers

We have a great need for volunteer with our events, committees, and office work. It is easy to acquire 40 hours.

We encourage all Good Neighbor Grant participants to keep a completed application on file at the PAC. Qualified applications will be verified by the volunteer coordinator and submitted to State Farm on a quarterly basis. For questions regarding whether you qualify for the Good Neighbor Grant, please email Eric and/or Sherill.

Those who volunteer outside of the PAC are asked to submit their volunteer hours to staff monthly.

If you are interested in helping with events or are having difficulty acquiring hours, please email staff.

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