Youth Volunteer Portal
Current youth volunteers can log into the Volunteer Portal to view their schedule, schedule classes, view or print a report of hours, and/or update their volunteer profile.
Portland Campus
Long Term Volunteering
The Long Term Youth Program is currently not accepting applicants for new volunteers. The next recruitment period will be August 15-August 17. The application link will be active on this page August 15 at 11 a.m. and will become inactive August 17 at 5 p.m. Youth Volunteers are selected through a lottery system.
Helping from Home
Youth interested in doing volunteer work from home can help in the following ways:
- Organize a fundraising/donation drive and donate money/supplies to OHS. See our Wish List for needed supplies.
- For lots of projects you can do from home please go to the virtual volunteer guide here.
Youths can bring in donations whenever the shelter is open. Thank you for helping our pets!
Youth Volunteers are assigned a regularly scheduled two-hour shift that they attend every two weeks. Shifts are offered from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday with an additional 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. option on weekends. Available shifts will be posted on this page during our open application process only. Click the Portland Campus Volunteer Opportunities tab above for more information and to apply when applications are being accepted.
The next recruitment period will be August 15-August 17. Click the Portland Campus Volunteer Opportunities tab above for more information and to apply when applications are being accepted.
Salem Campus
Oregon Humane Society’s summer camps are a wonderful place for students going into ninth grade and above to volunteer their time as a Junior Camp Counselor.
Our camps are created for campers, grades 3-8, who have a passion for animals and desire to learn about the human-animal connection. During each session, Junior Counselors will help lead campers in animal activities, games, humane lessons, and help create a weekly compassionate community.
OHS camps are an immersive experience for campers that bring together our best shelter talent to educate, stimulate, and make animal welfare advocates for life! If you are excited to help campers find the same passion you have for animals, then apply! Priority is given to existing Youth Volunteers already accepted into our program, but there is always room for more. Come learn with us!
If you are a rising ninth grader and above and wish to participate in this wonderful job experience, then apply today!
Volunteer Requirements
Youth Volunteers must be a minimum of 16 years of age and complete all volunteer training and paperwork. Individuals between ages 12 and 15 may volunteer with a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Both the youth and adult will need to fill out applications and participate in all volunteer training. Adults in need of a support person or guardian may also apply as part of our Partner Pair Program.
Volunteer Roles
- Dog walking
- Animal Care Assistants – cleaning kennels, making sure animals have food and water
- Enrichment Team – helping keep shelter animals engaged
- Foster care
Volunteer Orientation
We host orientations on the first Saturday of February, April, June, August, October and December. Once you sign up for an orientation, you will then receive another email from Sterling which will ask you to go to a secure website to complete a background check. Anyone wanting to become a volunteer at OHS must complete a background check before they can attend an orientation.
Volunteer Commitment
After Volunteer Orientation, we ask that Volunteers commit to one shift a week. Volunteer Shifts are two to three hours long. All Salem volunteers can schedule their shifts through our Volunteer Portal. Log in to view your volunteer schedule, schedule shifts, view or print a report of hours, and/or update your volunteer profile.
Salem Campus Applications will open in July 2023.
Contact Us
For further questions, please reach out to the Portland and Salem Campus Volunteer teams.