Programs
Volunteer
Volunteers for Humane Society, Tennessee Valley can be found working with animals or assisting in our day-to-day operations 365 days a year. With hundreds of active volunteers, we welcome you to our family and offer many exciting opportunities to help support our mission to save more lives! On-site with the animals or off-site at our events. We cannot do this important work without you. We thank you for your interest and hope that you consider attending an online orientation and becoming part of our volunteer family.
Volunteer Requirements
- Government issued ID with photo
- $20 Program Fee (includes T-shirt)
- Donate 1 hour a month to stay active in our volunteer system
- Access to Transportation
- Attend Orientation Session & Training online
A sample of the volunteer opportunities available at Humane Society Tennessee Valley
- Adoption Ambassador: Assist Adoption Counselors on the adoption floor.
- Local Animal Transport: Transport animals between partner shelters & HSTV.
- Reading Team: Read books to the animals to help create a calmer atmosphere during their stay here.
- Be Their Voice: Inform and educate the community at local venues & events.
- Enrichment: Partner with a staff member to help with enrichment using toys, puzzles, and games.
- Pet Food Pantry: Help us keep Pets and People Together!
- Adoption Center Greeter: Greet visitors while roaming between the dog and cat adoption floor in the Adoption Center.
- Hiking Hounds: Check out a dog during program hours & go on a hike!
- Animal Care Assistant: Assist our Animal Care Team prepping for mealtime, dishes, cleaning cages & more.
- Special Events Crew: Work special events at HSTV or around town, setup/breakdown booths & engage with the public.
Check back soon for our Volunteer Manual that is currently being revised.
Group Volunteering
If you have a group of volunteers who would like to offer their time to our organization, please don’t hesitate! HSTV welcomes groups of volunteers to help with large tasks that require many hands. If you are interested in volunteering with a group of friends, family, or co-workers, please fill out this form. Once this information is received, our Volunteer Coordinator will followup via email. We ask for 30 days notice to plan for a large group to volunteer at our shelter so we can best utilize your donated time.
Youth Volunteers
We welcome and encourage our youth to play a vital role in our organization. We also understand that most youth have varying maturity levels and for that reason, we allow volunteers of any age. Youth under the age of 16, however, are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has also completed the orientation process
Court-Ordered Community Service
We accept court-ordered volunteers on a limited basis. All individuals must be at least 18 years old and present documentation verifying the type of offense before attending orientation. To be considered, your offense may not be related to animal cruelty, drug possession, theft, violent crimes, or sexual assault. Our organization reserves the right to refuse any court-ordered volunteer requests for offenses not listed above. You will be required to show a valid driver's license, pay the $20 volunteer program fee, and attend orientation once approved. The approval process takes approximately five business days.
Interested in Court Ordered Community Service hours? Please click on the Apply to Volunteer button at the top of the page.
Questions? Please contact our Volunteer Program Coordinator via email using [email protected]
Foster
Fostering is a great way to volunteer for the Humane Society, Tennessee Valley. Fostering is providing temporary housing for an animal until he or she is ready for adoption. Our Foster Program exists to give young animals a chance to grow big and strong before spay/neuter and to give injured, sick, or under-socialized animals an opportunity to heal. Your help allows us take more animals in from our partner shelters across East Tennessee.
Did You Know
We saved over 500 lives last year because our Foster Volunteers opened their homes to abandoned animals in need! What more incentive do you need to open your home to save a life. We are grateful to our current fosters and think they do amazing work to save lives. Interested in Fostering? Sign up today!
What Is Involved With Being A Foster Parent?
Foster parents are asked to provide shelter, love, and care for an animal(s) in need and our organization will supply the rest based on donation of supplies from our supporters. We include transport crate, kennel, food, potty pads, litter, toys, bowls, playpens, medical supplies, vet treatments, and all the support you need. If you decide to provide any of the items listed we are happy to give you a signed letter to support your tax deduction! The Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley maintains legal guardianship of all animals in foster care and covers all medical costs.
Questions? Feel free to send an email to our Foster Program Coordinator via email [email protected]!
Not ready to foster but want to support our program, check out our Amazon Wishlist.
Types Of Animals That Need Foster Homes
- Puppies or kittens too young/small to be adopted
- A mother with her litter of kittens or puppies
- Puppies during 10 day quarantine
- Timid dogs or cats that need socialization and love
- Elderly animals needing end-of-life care
- Dogs or cats with minor medical needs
- Any animal when area partner shelters become overcrowded
Shelter Animals NEED YOU Now More Than Ever
Please don't forget about shelter animals who desperately need our help. The request for assistance from our partner shelters across East Tennessee are coming in on a daily basis. We cannot take in more animals into our shelter than our Capacity for Care allows unless we have YOU to foster. Sheltering in place? Consider fostering a puppy for 7 days to save their life. Thinking you may be ready for a dog? Call and ask about our need for big dog fosters. Do you purrrrfer kitties? Make room in your heart for a nursing Mom and save the life of an entire family or litter of abandoned kittens! We have a foster opportunity for most people who want to share their life to save a life!
Interested? Contact our Program Coordinator, via email [email protected] or 865-573-9675 x100.
