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 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.

Volunteer Opportunities

Operation Support & Animal Enrichment

Volunteers participating in these opportunities provide both behind-the-scenes support and animal enrichment on-site. Tasks like cleaning, laundry, socializing animals, helping in spay/neuter clinics, and assisting staff not only helps keep day-to-day operations here running smoothly, but it allows you to enrich the lives of shelter animals in so many ways!
Volunteer Specialists

Volunteer Specialists 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.
Off-site Opportunities & Events

For those who aren’t able to come to the shelter to volunteer, off-site volunteer opportunities are a great way to help the shelter in a way that works for your schedule! Petco Cat Care & Enrichment is a great way to help shelter cats who are residing at Petco, while outreach, fundraising, and adoption events are a great way to help raise awareness about the work we do!

Eligibility & Requirements

Volunteers must be 16 or older to be here without a parent or guardian, while some opportunities are for volunteers who are 18 years or older. Volunteers must begin by completing an application. If approved, they review the volunteer handbook, complete required documents, and take a shelter tour before starting their first shift. 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. Submit your volunteer application here and watch for an email regarding next steps!

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 Katie at kaxline@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!

Learn More about Volunteering!

Become a part of our lifesaving team and make a difference today. With any questions, please reach out to Katie at kaxline@lchsmontana.org or call the shelter at 406-442-1660!

Doggy Day Trips 

Give a shelter dog their best day ever, take them out on a Doggy 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:

  1. Create your profile in our Doggy Day Trip Portal
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
  4. Sign up for your Doggy Day Trip shift! Once onboarding is complete, you can start scheduling your trips right in the portal.

What to know about our Doggy 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 submit a volunteer application to join the team!
  • 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 kaxline@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. Request a Group Volunteer Day 

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.

 

Current Committed Caregiver Volunteers

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:

 

Volunteer FAQ’s 

  • 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 Programs 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! 
  • 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 Programs Manager at kaxline@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.