Founded in 1897, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington is the region’s oldest animal welfare group, with campuses in Vancouver and Longview. Volunteers walk dogs, care for cats (the cat team takes new volunteers in spring and summer) and keep up with the laundry and dishes a busy shelter runs on; its ReTails Thrift Store needs greeters and merchandisers too.
Shelter volunteers commit to a weekly shift for six months, and ReTails volunteers to every other week. You must be 16 or older, with a parent’s approval under 18, and finish training before you start. Foster homes are especially needed for large dogs and litters of kittens.