Volunteer Information
Without our volunteers, Greenhill could not provide its current high level of service to the animals and people of our community!
Volunteer Member Team Values
- Compassion and responsibility for all animals
- Consistency and reliability to help us care for our animals
- Commitment to reducing animal overpopulation
The following requirements are mandatory for all Greenhill volunteers:
*Be 16 years of age or over. (Volunteers between the ages of 12-15 can volunteer only if accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.)
*Commit to volunteering for one 2-hour shift per week or at least 8 hours a month for a minimum of 6 months.
*Possess strong customer service skills. Be able to read, write and communicate clearly with staff, other volunteers and the public and follow direction, shelter rules and protocol info.
*Be able to sit, bend, squat, twist and stand for long periods. (If applying for a direct animal care position: dog enrichment, cattery, small animal room).
*Have access to the Internet and an email account.
*Have reliable transportation to be able to get to our shelter, located at 88530 Green Hill Road in Eugene, Oregon.
*For those 18 and over, pass a standard criminal background check. Note, we are not able to accept volunteers who have committed crimes against minors or other vulnerable populations, charges of theft or assault within the last 7 years, or have felonies or instances of animal abuse / cruelty from any time period.
*Pay volunteer registration fee ($25 for those age 18 and over, $15 for those ages 16-17, $30 for parent/youth teams)
Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to volunteer on site but can find lots of fun ways to help our animals by visiting our Cub’s Corner page!
To learn more about our volunteer team positions, please click here.
The Youth Volunteer Program provides 12 – 15 year olds a long-term volunteer opportunity at Greenhill Humane Society. While at the shelter youth volunteers must be under the supervision of a parent or guardian over the age of 18 at all times, no exceptions.
Children can be great supporters of the animals and the work we do at Greenhill Humane Society. Because of staffing concerns and safety issues, we are unable to offer volunteer positions to people under 12 years of age; but there are many ways to help without actually being at the center. Please see our Cubs Corner page to see other ways to help.
Volunteer Requirements:
• Supervision of a parent or guardian who is willing to participate in the activity of choice
• Able to commit to volunteering for two hours a week for six months
To learn more about available volunteer positions, please click here.
If you would like more information about volunteering with Greenhill, please call 541.844.8824 or email volunteer@green-hill.org.
If you are 12 years old or under please consider some of the ways you can help and/or make a contribution:
We understand that many young people would love nothing more than to visit with our animals all day and perform a community service for the shelter. However, safety guidelines prohibit children under the age of 16 from volunteering on their own at Greenhill without direct adult supervision. Children ages 12 through 15 must volunteer with a parent or guardian. Volunteers 16 and older can volunteer on their own.
Here are some other ways you can help:
- Participate in our on-site Read to Cats program! Children ages 6-12 years are welcome to sign up to read to the cats in our cattery. Click here!
- Make colorful bandanas for dogs and drop them off at the shelter.
- Make dog and cat toys and drop them off at the shelter. (Felt -not knitted- toys are preferred for kitties; please see our wish list to learn about needed dog items).
- Fundraise for the animals by hosting a lemonade stand, yard sale, or bake sale in your neighborhood!
- Collect bottles or cans that have a CRV and donate through BottleDrop or pick up a blue fundraising bag from us at Greenhill.
- Raise funds at school: get creative and think of fun or unique things/items to sell to raise money for the shelter.
- Organize a food or supply drive. Greenhill can provide you with a “Buddy Barrel” to collect items or pet food. You and your classmates can decorate the barrel however you like.
- Birthday parties: Ask friends/family to bring presents, gift cards, or donate money in your name for the animals. You can bring items to the shelter and give them to the animals yourself!
We are happy to help you by providing brochures, a Greenhill banner, or any other materials you request to help your fundraiser or project. We can also provide you and/or your family or friends with a personalized tour of the shelter and the kennel, cattery and small animal room. Please contact our Community Outreach Department by calling (541) 689-1503 ext 134 if you have questions regarding fund raising and food/supply drives. Items you make or collect can be brought to the shelter during open hours.
Locations and Hours of Operation
Become a Foster Family!
Sometimes we receive animals that are too young or too sick to be adopted. Your family can foster these animals in your home where they can get well and grow. You return them to the shelter after a specified time of care (depending on the animal’s needs) and then we find a loving home for them! Learn more here.
COVID UPDATES
Update 4/1/2021 – Please note that due to COVID-19, in person new volunteer orientations are on hold until further notice. We are offering a virtual orientation option instead. Please refer to the list of Volunteer Team Opportunities (https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/OD?FROM=8527) for our current needs (areas not available are listed as full at the top of the description). We would love to have you register and get on the waitlist to join the team if any of the open positions would be a good fit for you. Follow the above link to register, complete your background check and we will reach out to you when we have our next set of virtual orientations available!
For more information or if you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail us at 541.844.8824 or volunteer@green-hill.org. We can’t wait to have you on our team!
Ready to Volunteer?
If you are interested in joining our volunteer team, please first watch this short video about our shelter and volunteer program. It will give you details on how to get started! Volunteer Training Video
After watching the video if you would like to join us as a Greenhill volunteer, please pay for your volunteer registration fee using the link below. Be sure to select the package that fits the type of volunteering you will be doing! Pay Volunteer Registration Fee
After payment is processed you will receive an email to initiate your background check or with next steps (for those under 18).
Community service volunteers and students or those needing hours signed off on for school or a program, should also pay for their registration fee to get started. **If you have to meet specific volunteer hour requirements (i.e. a certain # number of hours per day or per week), please contact the Volunteer Dept. prior to submitting your volunteer registration so we can make sure we can accommodate that.
Volunteer Spotlight
May 2021
Gwyneth
Meet Gwyneth, our Volunteer of the Month for May! Gwyneth started volunteering in February 2020 and has already contributed over 88 hours of service to Greenhill. She volunteers as a Surgery Suite Assistant. Previously, Gwyneth volunteered at an elementary public school library in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Arcas Wildlife Rescue Center in Guatemala and the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary in Namibia.
Gwyneth’s favorite aspect of volunteering is, “the ability to give back so I like that I can be part of helping these animals out. Particularly in the surgical suite I’ve gotten to learn a lot and it’s cool seeing how it’s all done (I’ve never been in a medical setting before). I also really like the people working in surgery, they are kind and caring, and just really hard working people.”
From volunteering at Greenhill Gwyneth has learned, “a lot about surgery, instruments, etc. which has been really cool and very new to me. I’ve also learned that there are so many people who volunteer here and how it really helps Greenhill be able to function smoothly.”
Gwyneth grew up in the small town of Bryn Athyn, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After visiting a cousin who lived here, she moved to Eugene in March 2018. Gwyneth says, “I like the size of the city, and the winters are way more mild than the icy cold winters back east, no humidity in the summer, and the nature and ability to get out and explore is outstanding and it’s just so beautiful!” Gwyneth began her career as a cake decorator in the Philadelphia area, first at a grocery store bakery and then as a baker/cake decorator at Be Well Bakery and Café. She currently works as a cake decorator at Sweet Life Patisserie in Eugene.
Gwyneth always had cats growing up and at one time her family had 6 cats. Now she has a medium sized dog, Koda, who loves to hike with her. Gwyneth enjoys exploring, hiking, swimming, being outside, reading, hanging out with friends, listening to podcasts, and snuggling with her dog.
