Wisconsin Humane Society - Milwaukee Campus

Animal Care Volunteer (ACV) – Cats

Animal Care Volunteers help with cleaning and sanitizing cat kennels/suites and deep cleaning empty kennels in preparation for another animal. ACVs will typically compete daily cleaning for an entire ward in either our adoption or lodging areas. ACVs will also assist with feeding cats’ daily diets.  

Duties 

• Clean and effectively sanitize animal kennels.
• Set up kennels for use by another animal.
• Feed animals’ daily diet as instructed by shelter staff
• Restock and organize necessary supplies as needed.

Open Shift Times: 

• Mondays - 7am-9am
• Fridays - 7am-9am

Skills Needed 

Volunteers must be detailed-oriented and committed to reducing the chances of disease transmission. This is a physical position, and volunteers must be comfortable walking, bending, squatting, scrubbing and moving cleaning equipment from one area to another for the duration of the shift. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write and effectively communicate with staff and other volunteers. Volunteers in this role will need to feel comfortable handling cats and reading cat body language.

Required Training 

• Meet & Greet with Volunteer Coordinator
• Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• Cat Animal Training – Online Training
• Cat Animal Training – Hands-On with Staff
• One In-Person Training Session with staff or a veteran volunteer

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

Must be 16 years or older to volunteer solo, 13–15-year olds can volunteer with an adult.

Animal Care Volunteer (ACV) – Dogs

Animal Care Volunteers help with cleaning and sanitizing dog kennels/suites and deep cleaning empty kennels in preparation for another animal. ACVs will typically compete daily cleaning for an entire ward in either our adoption or lodging areas. ACVs will also assist with feeding dogs’ daily diets. 

Duties 

• Clean and effectively sanitize animal kennels.
• Set up kennels for use by another animal.
• Feed animals’ daily diet as instructed by shelter staff
• Restock and organize necessary supplies as needed.

Open Shift Times: 

• Mondays - 7am-9am
• Tuesdays - 7am-9am
• Wednesdays - 7am-9am
• Thursdays - 7am-9am

   

Skills Needed 

Volunteers must be detailed-oriented and committed to reducing the chances of disease transmission. This is a physical position and volunteers must be comfortable walking, bending, squatting, scrubbing and moving cleaning equipment from one area to another for the duration of the shift. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write and effectively communicate with staff and other volunteers. Volunteers in this role will need to feel comfortable handling dogs and reading dog body language.

Required Training 

• Meet & Greet with Volunteer Coordinator
• Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• Dog Animal Training – Online Training
• Dog Animal Training – Hands-On with Staff
• One In-Person Training Session with staff or a veteran volunteer

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

Must be 16 years or older to volunteer solo, 13–15-year olds can volunteer with an adult.

Client Engagement Volunteer (CEV) (Must be 16 years old or older)

The Client Engagement Volunteer (CEV) will provide support to clients entering our building and serve as a greeter at our front desk during open adoption hours. This is a client focused position.

Objective 

Assist visitors at the Wisconsin Humane Society and manage all tasks at our front desk.

Duties 

• Welcome all clients who enter the building.
• Sign in clients into our Waitwhile adoption waitlist to meet with counselors.
• Provide traffic control and direct clients to appropriate areas of the shelter.
• Answer client questions and provide support to clients as needed.
• Provide items to clients from our Furry Friend Food Pantry.
• Accept donations and provide donation receipts as needed.
• Provide clients support to use our client laptops/computers for completing adoption profiles.
• Understand how to read door profiles for available animals.

• Communicate with our Arrivals area and escort clients into this area as needed.
• Support to ring up clients in Animal Antics (retail store) as needed.
• Serve as a “runner” for switchboard as needed. This includes making copies, door profiles and posting them in adoption areas as needed.
• Help to maintain the upkeep of the shelter and ensure that our facility is presentable for visitors. This includes light cleaning and sanitizing of common areas and surfaces.

Open Shift Times: 

• Tuesdays - 1pm-3pm (Highest Need); 3pm-5pm; 5pm-7pm (Highest Need)
• Fridays - 11am-1pm; 1pm-3pm; 3pm-5pm; 5pm-7pm
• Saturdays - 10am-12pm; 12pm-2pm; 2pm-4pm; 4pm-6pm (Highest Need)

Skills Needed 

Volunteers must understand and be onboard with our client centered philosophy and approach; this includes approaching clients and situations without judgement. Volunteers must be committed to providing a welcoming environment for all visitors and be capable of reading people and appropriately responding to both verbal and non-verbal communication to ensure a comfortable client experience for all. Volunteers must be enthusiastic, outgoing and detailed-oriented. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write and effectively communicate with staff, volunteers and clients. The physical demands for this job include the following: standing, walking, writing, lifting, grasping, talking and hearing. It is also imperative that volunteers are computers savvy, as they will be using Waitwhile to sign in clients to meet with counselors, will assist clients in using the software to complete online adoption profiles and utilize our retail system. 

Required Training 

• Meet & Greet with Volunteer Coordinator
• One on One Training with CSR Staff or a veteran CEV
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• Client Services Handbook – Online Training
• MKE Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

Must be 16 years old or older.

 MKE Volunteer Adoption Counselor (VAC) – Cats & Dogs

 - Must be 16 years old or older.

Volunteers in this position will directly support our community, staff, and animals by performing cat and dog adoptions from start to finish. To be able to volunteer in this capacity, you will need to complete a brief interview during your meet & greet with your Volunteer Coordinator, to ensure that this volunteer role would be a good fit for your skillset. It does require exceptional attention to detail, the ability to provide clear communication about animal behavior and savvy computer skills to utilize multiple databases.

Skills Needed 

Volunteers must understand and be onboard with our client centered philosophy and approach; this includes approaching clients and situations without judgement. Volunteers must be committed to providing a welcoming environment for all visitors and be capable of reading people and appropriately responding to both verbal and non-verbal communication to ensure a comfortable client experience for all. Volunteers must be enthusiastic, outgoing and detailed-oriented. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write and effectively communicate with staff, volunteers and clients. The physical demands for this job include the following: standing, walking, bending, stooping, writing, lifting, grasping, reading, talking and hearing. It is also imperative that volunteers are computers savvy, as they will be using our computers, database systems, copier and retail POS system. Volunteers in this role need to enjoy working with people and be able to engage in conversation with clients, comfortable handling cats and reading cat body language, computer savvy, and have good time management skills while feeling comfortable working in a busy environment.  Volunteer also need to be open-minded and have a compassion for wanting to help people find their furry companion.  During training, staff and volunteer trainers will coach the new volunteer and provide feedback on their skills to make sure this position is the right fit for them. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

Objective 

Assist potential adopters at the Wisconsin Humane Society and provide support to our Operations Staff.

Duties 

• Work one on one with potential adopters to adopt an animal by sharing information about our adoptable animals and providing supportive resources to make their adoption as successful as possible.
• Answer client questions and provide support to clients as needed.
• Able to use our Waitwhile sign-in system, PetPoint database and whiteboard to move clients through the adoption process accurately.

• Ring up clients for their adoption fee and items in retail store, Animal Antics as needed.
• Serve as a “runner” for switchboard as needed. This includes making copies, door profiles and posting them in adoption areas as needed.
• Connect with Supervisors and Shifts Leads as necessary for guidance on how to navigate and work through more challenging conversations and/or share pertinent information with clients.

Open Shift Times: 

• Tuesdays - 3pm-5pm (Highest Need)
• Wednesdays - 5pm-7pm (Higher Need)
• Thursdays - 5pm-7pm (Higher Need)
• Fridays - 11am-1pm (Highest need); 1pm-3pm (Highest need); 3pm-5pm (Higher Need); 5pm-7pm (Higher Need)
• Saturdays - 12pm-2pm; 2pm-4pm; 4pm-6pm (Highest Need)

 Required Training 

• Interview & Meet & Greet with Volunteer Coordinator
• One on One Training with a veteran VAC Trainer or CSR Staff Trainer
  • There is a total of approximately 35-40 hours of training.
  • All new VACs would ideally be able to commit training 6 hours per week, during the training period. This training period is typically 7/8 weeks. We work with the volunteer's schedule to be as accommodating as possible.
  • After the training period, volunteers must commit to volunteering a minimum of two hours weekly. Preferably on the same day and timeslot each week.
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• MKE Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training
• Animal Training – Online Training
• Animal Training – Hands-On with Behavior Staff

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

Must be 16 years old or older.

Spay & Neuter Clinic – Kennel Cleaner

Kennel Cleaner Volunteers clean and sanitize the animal kennels after the animal has been picked up by their family and prepare the kennels for use the following day.

Objective 

Assist Operations Staff at the Wisconsin Humane Society with cleaning and effectively sanitizing kennels.

Duties 

• Clean and effectively sanitize animal kennels.
• Set up kennels for use the following day(s).
• Restock and organize necessary supplies as needed.

Open Shifts: 

Mondays - 3:00pm-5:00pm

Tuesdays - 3:00pm-5:00pm (Highest Need)

Wednesdays - 3:00pm-5:00pm (Highest Need)

Fridays - 3:00pm-5:00pm

Skills Needed 

Volunteers must be detailed-oriented and committed to reducing the chances of disease transmission. This is a physical position and volunteers must be comfortable bending, squatting, and moving cleaning equipment from one area to another. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write and effectively communicate with staff, volunteers and clients.

Required Training 

• Meet & Greet with Spay & Neuter Clinic Manager
• One on One Training with staff or a veteran volunteer
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• MKE Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

Must be 16 years old or older.

Animal Care Volunteer (ACV) – Small Animals

Animal Care Volunteers help with cleaning and sanitizing small animals' kennels/cages and deep cleaning empty kennels in preparation for another animal. ACVs will typically compete daily cleaning for in our adoption or lodging areas. ACVs will also assist with feeding small animal's daily diets.  

Duties 

• Clean and effectively sanitize animal kennels.
• Set up kennels for use by another animal.
• Feed animals’ daily diet as instructed by shelter staff
• Restock and organize necessary supplies as needed.

Open Shift Times: 

• Wednesdays - 7am-9am
• Thursdays - 7am-9am
• Fridays - 7am-9am
• Sundays - 7am-9am

Skills Needed 

Volunteers must be detailed-oriented and committed to reducing the chances of disease transmission. This is a physical position and volunteers must be comfortable walking, bending, squatting, scrubbing and moving cleaning equipment from one area to another for the duration of the shift. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write and effectively communicate with staff and other volunteers. Volunteers in this role will need to feel comfortable handling cats and reading cat body language.

Required Training 

• Meet & Greet with Volunteer Coordinator
• Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• Small Animal Training – Online Training
• Small Animal Training – Hands-On with Staff
• One In-Person Training Session with staff or a veteran volunteer

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

Must be 16 years or older to volunteer solo, 13–15-year olds can volunteer with an adult.

Client Engagement Volunteer (CEV) – Non-Adoption Hours

The Client Engagement Volunteer (CEV) – Non-Adoption Hours will provide support to clients to come to the shelter when we are closed for adoption. This is a client focused position that also provides to support to our Arrivals Staff and Switchboard Operator as needed.

Objective 

Assist visitors at the Wisconsin Humane Society and provide support to our Operations Staff.

Duties 

• Answer our front door phone.
• Provide traffic control and direct clients to appropriate areas of the shelter.
• Answer client questions and provide support to clients as needed.
• Provide items to clients from our Furry Friend Food Pantry.
• Accept donations and provide donation receipts as needed.

• Communicate with our Arrivals area and escort clients into this area as needed.
• Provide support to ring up clients for items from Animal Antics as needed in Arrivals.
• Serve as a “runner” for switchboard as needed. This includes making copies, door profiles and posting them in adoption areas as needed.

Open Shift Time: 

• Mondays – 2pm-4pm 

Skills Needed 

Volunteers must understand and be onboard with our client centered philosophy and approach; this includes approaching clients and situations without judgement. Volunteers must be committed to providing a welcoming environment for all visitors and be capable of reading people and appropriately responding to both verbal and non-verbal communication to ensure a comfortable client experience for all. Volunteers must be enthusiastic, outgoing and detailed-oriented. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write and effectively communicate with staff, volunteers and clients. The physical demands for this job include the following: standing, walking, writing, lifting, grasping, talking and hearing. It is also imperative that volunteers are computers savvy, as they will be using our copier and retail POS system to ring up clients for purchases. 

Required Training 

• Meet & Greet with Volunteer Coordinator
• One on One Training with a veteran CEV-NA
• One on One Training with a veteran CEV-NA or CSR/ACT Staff to learn how to answer the door phone
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• Client Services Handbook – Online Training
• MKE Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

Must be 16 years old or older.

Vaccine Clinic Onsite Volunteer Greeter– Position for anyone 18 years and older.

Our Vaccine Clinic Onsite Greeter Volunteers provide support during our public Vaccine Clinics. This is a client focused position that supports our community and their beloved pets by ensuring they get the low-cost vaccination services they need. Volunteers in this position are asked to volunteer at both our Milwaukee Campus at 4500 W West Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee, WI 53208 for training AND at our Spay & Neuter Clinic at 9400 W Lincoln Ave Milwaukee, WI 53227.

Duties 

• Welcome vaccine clinic clients as they come in for their scheduled appointments.
• Provide traffic control and direct clients through the building as needed.
• Ask and answer client questions about services and appointment logistics.
• Update services in our software system, Clinic HQ as needed.
• Obtain prior pet vaccination records from the client as needed.

Shift Time/Location: 

• We ask that volunteers are present 15 minutes prior to the start of each clinic.
• Vaccine clinics are typically two hours in duration.
• Spay Neuter Clinic: Clinics are held on various days of the week, most commonly on Fridays between the hours of 10am-1pm.  
• Milwaukee Campus: Clinics are on Wednesdays (every other week) from 8:15am-11:00am

Skills Needed 

• Volunteers must understand and be onboard with our client centered philosophy and approach; this includes approaching clients and situations without judgement. Volunteers must be committed to providing a welcoming environment for all clients and be capable of reading people and appropriately responding to both verbal and non-verbal communication to ensure a comfortable client experience for all. Volunteers must be enthusiastic, outgoing and detailed-oriented.
• The physical demands for this job include the following: standing, walking, writing, listening, talking and hearing. The team may ask for light physical support to set-up and break down clinic supplies/set-up.
• Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions and understand vaccination protocols, including re-vaccination schedules.
• Volunteers must be able to read, write and effectively communicate with clients, volunteers and staff.
• It is also imperative that volunteers are computers savvy, as they will be using Clinic HQ software to update the services for animals as needed.  

Required Training 

• Onsite training with CSR Team member or Veteran Volunteer Trainer
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• MKE Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

Must be 18 years old or older.

Spay & Neuter Clinic – Volunteer Office Assistant  

Spay/Neuter Clinic Volunteer Office Assistants are the first smiling face our clients see during the check in process for spay or neuter surgery. After check-in is complete, these volunteers also assist with filing, light cleaning, and administrative duties as needed.

Objective 

Assist clients at the Wisconsin Humane Society and provide support to our Operations Staff.

Duties 

• Welcome clients and their pet as they arrive for surgery.
• Provide traffic control and direct clients to appropriate areas of the building.
• Answer client questions and provide support to clients as needed.

Open Shift Time(s):  

• Mondays from 3pm-5:15pm
• Wednesday from 7:45am-10am
• Thursdays from 7:45am-10am; 3pm-5:15pm

Skills Needed 

Volunteers must understand and be onboard with our client centered philosophy and approach; this includes approaching clients and situations without judgement. Volunteers must be committed to providing a welcoming environment for all clients and be capable of reading people and appropriately responding to both verbal and non-verbal communication to ensure a comfortable client experience for all. Volunteers must be enthusiastic, outgoing and detailed-oriented. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write and effectively communicate with staff, volunteers and clients. The physical demands for this job include the following: standing, walking, writing, lifting, grasping, talking and hearing.

Required Training 

• Meet & Greet with Spay & Neuter Clinic Manager
• One on One Training with staff or a veteran volunteer
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• MKE Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

Must be 18 years old or older.

• Prepare surgical instrument packs for sterilization.
• Restock supplies appropriately.
• Perform light cleaning and facility maintenance as necessary.

• Meet & Greet with Spay & Neuter Clinic Manager
• One on One Training with Veterinary Staff
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• MKE Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training

• Mondays from 1pm-3pm 

Youth programs volunteer - Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Racine Campuses

The Wisconsin Humane Society offers fun and engaging youth programs for kids ages 4-18. There are many opportunities to get involved in youth programs and the work we do every day to engage young people in our mission.  Lead youth on tours, engage children in fun activities about animals, or help facilitate animal interactions during programs.

Reports to:  Youth Programs Specialist in Milwaukee; Youth Programs Specialist in Ozaukee; Youth Programs Specialist in Racine

Scope of position: Volunteers work alongside staff to help lead activities, crafts and games during youth programs.

 Programs and schedule: 

• Kids’ Night Out: One Friday of each month during the school year, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• Birthday Party Host: Select Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and/or 1:00-3:00 p.m.
• Girl Scouts Night: Two select Tuesdays-Thursdays of each month during the school year, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
• Dog Care Merit Badge Clinic: Select Saturdays during the school year, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
• Field trips: Select Tuesdays-Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
• Camps: One-day camps during winter and spring breaks and weeklong camps during the summer, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• Volunteers set their own schedules based on their availability and program needs

 Responsibilities:

• Support youth programs staff with group management, prepping for programs, check in and check out, running activities, and clean up
• Reliably communicate with youth programs staff 
• Follow youth programs safety protocols

 Qualifications and requirements: 

• At least 18 years old (or 13-17 years old if volunteering with an adult) 
• Experience working with youth is a plus
• Comfortable working independently 
• Comfortable speaking in front of groups 
• Demonstrates safe animal handling skills with positive reinforcement
• Willingness to be flexible

On-boarding process and training: 

• In-person interview with youth programs staff
• Dog walker training and/or cat handling training (depending on program)
• Background check 
• Other trainings as assigned 

HIGH NEED - Switchboard Volunteer - Position for those 16 years of age and older.

Our Switchboard Volunteer provides support to CSR staff with calls and voicemail messages. Tasks will also include printing, filing, copying, scanning, and data entry. Volunteers must be detail-oriented and computer savvy.

Duties  

• Answer main phone line.
• Triage calls using phone tree and phones system.
• Be able to answer general questions about:
• Hours
• Services
• Fees
• WaitWhile
• Website navigation
• Adoption profiles
• Disclosures
• Media/featured animals
• Sending health records
• Promotions
• Keep spreadsheet of calls for staff to return.
• Check voicemail and record messages accurately.
• Utilize PetPoint and website as needed.
• Utilize phone functions and seek additional support from staff as needed to address any concerns.
• Serve as a “runner” for switchboard. This includes making copies, checking animal profiles and posting them in adoption areas as needed, and putting profile packets together.
• Create adoption envelopes
• Ensure that all pictures and fees on the website are accurate and appropriate.

Skills Needed  

Volunteers must understand and be onboard with our client centered philosophy and approach; this includes approaching clients and situations without judgement. Volunteers must be committed to providing a welcoming environment for all clients and be capable of reading people and appropriately responding to verbal communication to ensure a comfortable client experience for all. Volunteers must be enthusiastic, outgoing and detailed-oriented. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write and effectively communicate with staff, volunteers and clients. It is also imperative that volunteers are computers and phone savvy, as they will be using our computers, databases, and phone system. Volunteers will be privy to private, confidential client and animal information, and they must hold this information in confidence as appropriate. The physical demands for this job include the following: sitting, writing, typing, grasping, talking, reading and hearing.  

Open Shift Time(s):  

• Saturdays - HIGHEST NEED 
  • 10:30-12:30pm; 12:30-2:30pm; 2:30-4:30pm; 4:30-6:30pm
• Sundays
  • 11:30am-1:30pm; 1:30-3:30pm; 3:30-5:30pm
• Mondays – HIGHEST NEED
  • 11:30-1:30pm; 1:30-3:30pm
• Tuesdays – HIGHEST NEED 
  • 9:30-11:30am; 11:30-1:30pm; 1:30-3:30pm; 3:30-5:30pm; 5:30-7:30pm
• Wednesdays
  • 9:30-11:30am; 11:30-1:30pm; 1:30-3:30pm; 3:30-5:30pm; 5:30-7:30pm
• Thursdays
  • 9:30-11:30am; 11:30-1:30pm; 3:30-5:30pm; 5:30-7:30pm 
• Fridays– HIGHEST NEED 
  • 9:30-11:30am; 11:30-1:30pm; 1:30-3:30pm; 3:30-5:30pm; 5:30-7:30pm 

Required Training  

• Interview with Volunteer Coordinator
• Meet & Greet with Volunteer Coordinator
• One on One Training with staff 
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training 
• MKE Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training 

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment.

Must be 16 years old or older.

Animal Antics – Retail Volunteer

The Animal Antics Retail Volunteer will be responsible for assisting clients with purchase of retail items in the shelter. 

Skills Needed 

Volunteers must understand and be onboard with our client centered philosophy and approach; this includes approaching clients and situations without judgement. Volunteers must be committed to providing a welcoming environment for all visitors and be capable of reading people and appropriately responding to both verbal and non-verbal communication to ensure a comfortable client experience for all. Volunteers must be enthusiastic, outgoing and detailed-oriented. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write and effectively communicate with staff, volunteers and clients. The physical demands for this job include the following: standing, walking, writing, reading, lifting, grasping, talking and hearing. It is also imperative that volunteers are computers savvy, as they will be using Clover, our retail POS system, to complete purchases at our register.

Duties 

• Welcome all clients who enter our retail space.
• Ring up clients for purchases.
• Answer client questions about products and provide support to clients as needed.
• Accept monetary donations and provide donation receipts appropriately.
• Complete tag/plate engraving as needed.

• Sell and accurately complete Milwaukee County License and Park Tag forms.
• Restock merchandise items if able and time permits.
• Help to maintain the upkeep of the retail store areas and ensure that our facility is presentable for visitors. This includes light cleaning and sanitizing of common areas and surfaces.

Open Shift Times: 

• Tuesdays from 11am-2pm

Required Training 

• Meet & Greet with Retail Manager
• One on One Training and shadow sessions with veteran Retail Volunteer Trainer or Retail Manager
• People Centered Philosophy – Online Training
• Client Services Handbook – Online Training
• MKE Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

This volunteer position is for anyone 13 years and older. Volunteers aged 13-15 years old must volunteer with an adult. Volunteers who are 16 years and older can volunteer on their own.