Volunteer
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” – Elizabeth Andrew
About the Lewis & Clark Humane Society’s Committed Caregiver Volunteer Program
Our year-round Committed Caregiver volunteer program empowers community members aged 14 and up to make a difference in the lives of animals at our shelter. Whether you’re cleaning kennels, socializing with shy cats, helping with events, or supporting adoptions, every task makes an impact on the furry friends in our community. Please note: Prospective volunteers must attend an information session before submitting an application. The link to the application will be sent at the conclusion of the session.
Volunteer Tiers
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Tier 1: Pathfinder Tier 1 volunteers provide essential behind-the-scenes support through entry-level tasks like cleaning, laundry, and enrichment prep. Their work helps keep the shelter running smoothly and creates a safe, welcoming environment for animals and adopters. |
Tier 2: Handler Tier 2 volunteers are trained animal handlers who provide hands-on support across core shelter tracks like behavior, medical, adoptions, and operations. These volunteers have completed orientation and foundational training and are ready to deepen their impact through consistent, skill-building shifts alongside staff and mentors. |
Tier 3: Specialists Tier 3 volunteers are highly committed individuals who serve as trained assistants to staff in specialized program areas such as medical, behavior, enrichment, and outreach. They bring advanced knowledge, consistency, and leadership to their roles, helping support shelter operations at a higher level of responsibility and trust. |
Eligibility & Requirements
Volunteers begin by attending a virtual information session and completing an application. If approved, they review the volunteer handbook, complete required documents, and take a shelter tour before starting their first shift. Please note: Prospective volunteers must attend an information session before submitting an application. The link to the application will be sent at the conclusion of the session.
As part of our Committed Caregivers program, volunteers are asked to commit to 2 (two) shifts or volunteer interactions per month. Volunteers who have been inactive for 6 months are asked to reapply.
Ready to Get Started?
Become a part of our lifesaving team and make a difference today. Please note: Prospective volunteers must attend an information session before submitting an application. The link to the application will be sent at the conclusion of the session.
Click Here for our Info Session Registration Form
Time Restrictions? Check out other volunteer opportunities that may work best with your schedule!
- Quick Paws Volunteers Our Quick Paws program is designed for individuals who need to complete volunteer hours for school, clubs, or other non-court-mandated organizations. Whether you’re earning hours for a graduation requirement or participating in a service-based club, Quick Paws offers a flexible way to give back while meeting your goals. Please note that we are not able to accommodate individuals seeking court-ordered community service hours. For more information, email Nicole at nnoel@lchsmontana.org.
- Seasonal Volunteers We know that some amazing volunteers are only in town part of the year, whether you’re a snowbird escaping the winter or a student home for summer break, we’d love to have you on our team. Our Seasonal Volunteer option allows you to take a break from active shifts while holding your spot in the program. All seasonal volunteers will follow the same structure as our Committed Caregivers with some exceptions to the time requirements! Seasonal volunteers help us extend care year-round, and we’re so grateful you dedicated your time to the animals while you are here!
- Petco Volunteer Program: Love cats but can’t make it to the shelter during regular hours? Our Petco volunteer program is a flexible way to care for shelter kitties at Petco! Volunteers help with feeding, cleaning, and giving the cats some much-needed love and attention. It’s a rewarding way to still make a difference when your schedule doesn’t align with the shelters. Attend an information session to learn more and get started!
Youth Opportunities
Volunteers must be 14 or older to participate in our regular volunteer program. For younger animal lovers, we offer Humane Society Kids! These one-hour experiences allow kids in 1st through 8th grade to safely engage with animals and learn more about our mission. Humane Society Kids is available May through September.
- For kids rising 1st to 5th grade, join our Critter Club and help animals find forever homes!
- For our kids rising 6th to 8th grade, join our Animal Advocates and socialize our more shy furry friends!
- All minors must have a waiver form & media release on file. Please complete this form before arriving!
Check out our Humane Society Kids Opportunity page!
Humane Society Kids will also host your school club, service group, or youth group! For more information, submit a request form today!
Learn More about Volunteering!
Become a part of our lifesaving team and make a difference today.
Current Committed Caregivers
Everything you need to stay connected, informed, and appreciated! 
Thank you for all you do!
Thank you for giving your time, heart, and compassion to the animals in our care. Whether you’ve been with us for years or just joined last week, you are an essential part of our mission.
Quick Links:
- Sign Up for a Shift
- Volunteer Handbook – Coming Soon!
- Contact the Community Engagement Manager – nnoel@lchsmontana.org
Volunteer FAQ’s
I am unable to continue committing 2 shifts per month, what do I do?
Start by emailing the Community Engagement Manager to discuss next steps and possible alternatives!
Can I bring a friend or family member with me to my volunteer shift?
Friends and family are welcome to help at our Spayghetti Dinner Fundraiser but are asked to sign up for the opportunity! Check out Bloomerang to see if it’s open! Having a friend or family member join during a regularly scheduled shift requires approval. Reach out to the Community Engagement Manager for more information.
Do I need to be tracking my volunteer hours?
Yes! Volunteers impact the shelter in so many ways and being able to see the value of your hours makes a difference when applying for grants or other funding opportunities. If you haven’t been tracking your hours, that’s ok, start now! Bloomerang allows you to go back and enter hours for shifts you have worked!
What if I want to try a new track at Tier 2?
We love having cross-trained volunteers! Reach out to the Community Engagement Manager and see what is available.
I can’t remember my login to Bloomerang?
That’s no problem! Select “Forgot Password” on the login screen! Still not working? Reach out to the Community Engagement Manager at nnoel@lchsmontana.org and let’s make sure your email was entered into the system correctly!
I don’t know how to use Bloomerang and am unable to sign up for shifts.
Check out our handy Bloomerang Volunteer: How To training video!
Doggy Day Trips
Give a shelter dog their best day ever, take them out on a Doggie Day Trip!
This program gives our dogs a much-needed break from the shelter while giving you a fun way to spend time with a pup in need. Whether it’s a hike, a pup cup, or a relaxing nap on your couch, these short adventures help our dogs de-stress and give us valuable insight into their personalities outside the shelter environment.
Eligibility & Requirements
- Volunteers must be 18 years or older
- Must complete our online onboarding process before your first day trip
Getting Started is Easy! Follow these simple steps:
- Create your profile in our Doggie Day Trip Portal
- If you meet our eligibility requirements, review the Volunteer Program Handbook & Sign all the forms:
An email will be sent with all the information you will need!
- Optional: Fill out the Canine Foster Survey
If you’re interested in longer-term fostering in the future, let us know more about your home and experience here
- Sign up for your Doggie Day Trip shift!
Once onboarding is complete, you can start scheduling your trips right in the portal.
What to know about our Doggie Day Trip Program
- Day Trip Hours:
- Tuesday-Saturday, 9 AM – 12 PM
- Flexible Participation
You don’t have to commit to our full volunteer program, you can just sign up for Doggie Day Trips! If you’re only looking for casual, one-day outings with dogs, this is the perfect fit! - Interested in Doing More?
If you’d like to explore additional volunteer opportunities or join our Committed Caregivers Program, we invite you to attend a Volunteer Information Session. It’s a great way to learn about all the ways you can get involved. - Dog Availability Varies:
While we do our best to match volunteers with pups each shift, please note that there may not always be dogs available for a day trip. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Questions?
Email us at nnoel@lchsmontana.org or call 406.442.1660.
Support the Shelter Through Group Volunteering!
Looking for a meaningful way to give back as a group or celebrate a special day with compassion?
Whether you’re a business, school, service club, or family, there are unique ways your group can support the animals in our care while creating unforgettable memories together.
Group Volunteering
Bring your team together to make a real difference! Group volunteer experiences are perfect for:
- Corporate teams
- Service clubs
- Faith communities
- Friends and families
What to expect: Groups help with shelter beautification, enrichment projects for animals, seasonal decorations, and more. You’ll leave knowing your time had a direct impact on the animals’ daily lives.
Group Size: Up to 6-8 participants Days Available: Tuesday–Saturday, by appointment Age Requirements: Participants must be 14+ (some flexibility for younger youth groups with chaperones)
Suggested Donation: To help sustain the programs and services that make volunteer opportunities possible, we kindly suggest a minimum donation of $15 per person. This contribution directly supports the animals in our care by helping us provide food, medical attention, enrichment, and a safe environment until they find loving homes.
Why Donations Matter
We rely on the generosity of our community to continue lifesaving work every day. Your donation, whether part of a group service project or a celebration, helps provide food, medical care, enrichment toys, and love to animals waiting for their forever homes.
Thank you for choosing to celebrate and serve in a way that saves lives.