Youth Volunteer Applications
Portland Campus
Youth Volunteer Applications for the Portland Campus are currently closed.
The next application window opens Monday, December 1st and closes Friday, December 5th.
Salem Campus
Volunteer applications are now open!
Portland Campus
Long Term Volunteering
Due to the extensive training required for volunteers to be hands-on with animals, youth volunteers must commit to one 2-hour shift every other week for at least 6 months. Volunteers who remain in good standing can stay in the program until they turn 18!
Youth Volunteer Shifts are offered from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday with additional 10 a.m. -12 p.m. options on weekends.
Who can apply?
The youth volunteer program is open to anyone between the ages of 12-17. Youth Volunteers must be respectful, responsible, and most importantly: love helping animals!
What is it?
While every shift looks a little different, Youth Volunteers engage in activities that directly and indirectly benefit all the animals at OHS. This includes: walking dogs, socializing with dogs, cats, and small animals, maintaining a clean and healthy environment, and so much more!
Interested youth volunteers must submit an application during an application window. We open applications twice a year as space becomes available, typically in December and again in June.
Due to the large number of applications we receive for this program, all eligible applicants are entered into a random lottery for the limited volunteer openings we have available.
Salem Campus
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
After receiving your application you will be invited by the Volunteer Engagement team to schedules yourself for an Orientation Session. These are generally held the first Saturday of January, February, March, May, June, August, September, October and November.
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.
To become a volunteer apply online.
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.
Contact Us
For further questions, please reach out to the Portland and Salem Campus Volunteer teams.
