Get Involved! 

Got love to give? Want to do something to benefit your community and help out animals? Volunteer at McHenry County Animal Control! 

Steps to Volunteer

1. Submit a volunteer interest form online. Or, fill out an application in person at our office. 

2. After the form is received, we will contact you to talk about current volunteer opportunities.

3. Come in for an orientation, where you can learn more about how our shelter works and we can learn more about your interests as a volunteer. After this, you are ready to begin volunteering!

Read our handbook to learn more.

*Please note: those needing court ordered community service hours cannot apply through the volunteer application. Please call 815-334-4948 for more info*

Volunteer Positions

There are many ways you can help. From walking dogs to socializing cats, we can always use an extra hand to make our animals happy during their stay with us. Volunteers must be 18 or older to interact with the animals. 

Dog/Cat Socialization & Cleaning: Volunteers must commit to a regular time slot. This position involves...

• Animal Socialization - playing with cats in our adoptable cat room or walking adoptable dogs
• Cleaning - volunteers may help with general cleaning, dishes, laundry, or other miscellaneous tasks

Special Events Volunteer: Schedule will be as needed. To help with special events, we ask that you have previously volunteered with us or are also helping with animal socialization & cleaning. Events include...

• Offsite adoption events
• Drive-thru vaccine clinics
• Education programs

Office Volunteer: Volunteers must commit to a regular time slot. This position involves helping with paperwork, filing, and other clerical tasks as needed.  

Pet Photography: Volunteers must commit to a regular time slot. This position involves taking pictures of our adoptable pets to use on social media and/or our website. Must be willing to work closely with animals, and experience with photography is preferred. 

Still need to be convinced? Here are 4 reasons to volunteer with us:

1. You'll be helping out animals in need! This is probably one of the greatest rewards you'll encounter. Caring for animals without homes is enough to brighten anyone's day
2. You'll be making lots of furry friends!
3. You'll gain unique new skills from volunteering with us
4. You'll meet new friends! The people you work side by side with will relate to you. You may even find lifelong friends through volunteering

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