About
What Is It?
Formerly called the Harris County Animal Shelter, this busy shelter receives an average of 40-60 lost, neglected, and abandoned animals each day. It also offers a low-cost clinic and other services.
Help Needed:
The shelter always needs compassionate volunteers to help care for its animals. “Whether you enjoy working with cats, dogs, or people in our community, we have opportunities available that are sure to fit your interests and schedule.”
Details
Minimum Age to Volunteer
16. Volunteers under age 18 must have a parent’s or guardian’s form on file but can volunteer independently.
Time Commitment
The shelter asks volunteers to commit to at least 10 hours of service per month. Depending on your volunteer task, you can stop by for as little as an hour or stay all day if you like.
Suitable for Groups of Volunteers?
“We have many opportunities for volunteering as a group! If you are seeking a group volunteering opportunity, please contact Gabby Medina at vphvolunteer@phs.hctx.net.”
Training Needed
None; the shelter staff will provide the training needed. After you fill out the volunteer application more information and instructions (including watching the online orientation and completing background check paperwork) will be emailed to you.
Help Needed
DOG WALKERS
Dogs need exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy, and dogs who have had exercise are calmer and more likely to be adopted. Volunteers are needed to walk and play with the shelter dogs. Offering some basic training, such as teaching them to “sit,” can make them more adoptable. Even one hour of volunteering makes a difference to the animals.
PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEOGRAPHY
Animals are more likely to be adopted if the shelter can share clear photos with potential adopters. Volunteer assistants help the photographers get good photos showing the animals at their best. Volunteers may also record videos of pets in need of a home. “All that you’ll need is a smart phone with great video quality & a passion for animals.”
GROOMERS
Animals are more adoptable, healthier, and more comfortable when they are clean and well groomed. Volunteers are always needed to help bathe and brush the shelter’s animals.
ADOPTION TEAM MEMBERS
Volunteers help staff mobile adoption events at locations around the city, or they can choose to volunteer at the shelter to talk with potential adopters about choosing a pet and the adoption process.
KITTY COMMITTEE
Kitty Committee volunteers help with adoptable cats residing at the River Oaks and Aldine Petcos. These volunteers are responsible for visiting our cats, straightening their cages, providing clean litter, checking food/water, and giving them plenty of attention. This is a flexible position since you can sign up to care for the cats anytime the store is open.
COLLECT / DONATE NEEDED ITEMS
The shelter’s Amazon wish list includes animal food, towels, plastic bags, heating pads, and cleaning supplies. Supplies purchased from the wish list are sent directly to the shelter. Student volunteers may also collect these items and deliver them to the shelter.
The shelter also urgently needs donations of newspaper.
Contact Details
Contact
Gabby Media, Volunteer Coordinator
Email: vphvolunteer@phs.hctx.net
Phone: (832) 927-1141
For more information, please visit the Harris County Pets volunteer page.
Website
https://www.countypets.com/Location
HARRIS COUNTY PETS
Houston, Texas 77076
Location Details
Houston, Texas 77076
Additional Information
Volunteer Appreciation Week Video (2019) (2 minutes 5 seconds)
Examples of past Scout projects
Eagle: Evan H. raised money and collected supplies, delivering two truckloads of towels, blankets, paper towels, food bowls, cat beds, detergent, toys, treats, newspaper, and 864 pounds of food plus a $225 donation. (2018)
Gallery
Question: My granddaughter is 14. She loves cats and dogs and would like to volunteer. She does not have the appropriate age to volunteer, but, I was wondering if she will be allowed to do so if I, or another adult family member volunteer. She can tag along.
Hello Ms. Garcia – All volunteers at the Harris County Animal Shelter must be 16, but your granddaughter could help out at BARC, Citizens for Animal Protection, Corridor Rescue, Houston Pets Alive, or Pup Squad. You or another family member may need to come with her, but she could work with dogs and/or cats at these charities. You can look at the listings on ServeforGood or the charity websites for more information. Thank you both for helping animals in Houston!
I love dog and cata all animals.
I like to donate my time to them.
I really live animals and i have the compation for them and my love too.
Thank you Erika! Houston has some great non-profits that help animals and I hope you can volunteer at one (or more!) of them.
I would like to volunteer!
Hi Amber – That’s great. The easy volunteer form is here: https://hcph.vsyslive.com/pages/app:889UIWHWBGVIKQPM or you can contact Jessica Hernandez, Community Relations Specialist, at Jessica.Hernandez@phs.hctx.net or VPHvolunteer@phs.hctx.net, (832) 927-1141. Thanks!