Education Volunteer

Want to Get Involved?

Education Volunteers help us teach children and adults all about animals and the role San Diego Humane Society plays in our community. This is one of the most rewarding and influential volunteer programs since we are reaching children who are the future for how our pets are cared for.

Opportunities:

As an Education Volunteer, you will have opportunities to participate in various programs that the Education Department offers:

Outreach Education
Outreach Education is an offsite program that visits school classrooms with standards based lessons on character education, science and animal related issues. Volunteers assist with presenting and handling education animals.

Onsite Youth Education
Onsite Youth Education programs include Scouts, tours, birthday parties, Paws & Paperbacks, Pet Pals, Junior Volunteers and camps. Onsite Youth Education programs take place at all three campuses: San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside. Volunteers assist with program set-up, breakdown, assist with program activities and presenting and handling education animals.

Onsite Adult Education
Adult Education programs include adult lectures and Mutt Mixer programs. Onsite Adult Education programs take place at all three campuses: San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside. We sometimes host programs offsite at a library or YMCA. Volunteers assist with program setup and breakdown, assist with program activities, interact with guests and collect fees and donations.

Requirements to Volunteer with our Education team:

Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Applicants will receive instruction to submit photo proof of vaccination record, which must be submitted prior to onsite interview.

Volunteers must be at least 15 years of age.

All volunteers must complete a Volunteer Info Session and an individual mentored shift prior to volunteering solo. This training typically takes 1-2 weeks after the Info Session and is designed to set our volunteers up for success!

All volunteers must have access to email since most volunteer communication is done via email.

At this time, we are unable to verify hours to meet community service requirements mandated by the court. 

How to Become a Volunteer:

Recruitment Temporarily Suspended

In response to the current state of affairs regarding COVID-19 and its prevention, we are temporarily suspending all large gatherings in accordance to statewide policies. Unfortunately, this does include any new volunteer information sessions, and therefore our volunteer recruitment and onboarding are suspended until further notice. Thank you for your patience, and we wish you continued health and safety.

All applicants will go through our onboarding process which includes:

• Online application
• Community Engagement Volunteer Info Session
• Online training video
• In-person hands on training with small pets 

This process typically takes 1-2 weeks after the Info Session and is designed to set our volunteers up for success!