This week, we’re pausing to celebrate the true heroes behind the scenes: our volunteers. Whether they’re walking dogs, comforting shy cats, mucking horse stalls, or simply offering a kind word to future adopters, our volunteers are the heartbeat of our shelter. Volunteer Appreciation Week is a special time to recognize the incredible humans who give their time, energy, and love to make life better for every animal that walks through our doors. Rain or shine, weekday or weekend, our volunteers show up with treats in hand and compassion in abundance. These empathic individuals help scared dogs come out of their shells and sit with shy cats until they feel safe enough to purr. They help clean, organize, and support the shelter in hundreds of ways that often go unnoticed, but never unappreciated. They're often the reason that tails wag, purrs are heard, and more pets find their way to forever homes!

Every single day, our volunteers offer comfort and companionship to animals in transition, help us keep the shelter clean, and provide support to our dedicated staff. Outside of the shelter, many volunteers assist with HSVC events, engage in community outreach, and more. They advocate for every animal with love and patience. To our volunteers, thank you for your time, devotion, and tireless commitment to the animals under our care. You remind us daily that compassion is powerful and that community can truly change lives, one paw at a time. From all of us, human, furry, and everything in between, thank you for being the light our animals need.

If you’ve ever considered volunteering, there’s no better time to join this incredible group of kind-hearted folks. We have volunteer opportunities not just working with dogs or cats but also helping with events, horses, and other operational duties. We’d love to welcome you to the family! Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Astrid, at [email protected] to start your volunteer journey or visit our volunteer page to learn more.