Volunteers are the Heart of Heartland Animal Shelter!

As a volunteer, you are helping Heartland Animal Shelter save thousands of unwanted cats and dogs, giving them the opportunity to find loving new homes. Your contribution of time and effort is greatly appreciated. Thank you for being a part of this important effort on behalf of companion animals. You are making a difference!

Become a Volunteer

Questions? Contact it@heartlandanimalshelter.site.

Volunteer Opportunities

Onsite, regular volunteer opportunities

Please note that these volunteer roles require a regular schedule with at least one shift at the same time each week.

• Adoption Liaison (cat or dog): Are you a matchmaker and like working with people? Become an adoption counselor and learn to make love connections for all of our wonderful animals waiting for a home!
• Cat or Kitten Room Attendant: Help clean and organize the cat/kitten room, groom felines, and learn about cat behavior to improve the lives of our resident cats.
• Clean and Feed Team (cat or dog): A favorite of the animals — help with feeding and cleaning living spaces.
• Dog Walkers: Learn how to walk our dogs, enrich their lives with puzzles and toys, and teach new skills with positive reinforcement training.
• Reception: If you like people, consider being a greeter. Answer telephones and direct guests throughout the shelter.
• Medical Volunteer: Veterinary assistants, technicians, students, or experienced animal handlers needed for medical care. Must be at least 18 years old.

Other onsite volunteer opportunities

• Handyperson: General maintenance, installations, plumbing, electrical and more.
• Office Assistant: Organizing supplies, mailing letters, filing, inventory, and copies.
• Photographer/videographer: Create impactful media content featuring our adoptable animals.
• Shelter Project Assistant: Reorganizing, sorting and cleaning areas in the shelter.

Offsite volunteer opportunities

• Foster Parent: Opening your home to an animal saves lives. Visit our foster page to learn more.
• Fundraising Volunteer/Event Coordinator: Plan exciting activities throughout the year to raise funds.
• Grant Writers: Help raise funds for special projects and services.
• Graphic Designer: Create print materials, website images, and social media content.
• Outreach Volunteer: Represent Heartland offsite at adoption and community events.
• Reseller: Post shelter items for sale on eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook marketplace.
• Street Team: Distribute flyers and engage the community in helping our animals.
• Technical Writers/Editor: Produce and review content for print and web.
• TNR Assistant: Help with trap-neuter-return projects for stray and feral cats.
• Transporter: Transport cats and dogs throughout the Chicagoland area.
• Web and Email Developer: Help create and maintain our website and emails.

Volunteer at PetSmart

Join our team at PetSmart adoption events and help pets find their forever homes.

Join the Heartland Young Professionals Board

The Heartland Young Professionals Board (HYP) is a community of emerging leaders dedicated to making a meaningful impact for homeless cats and dogs.