Training, Staff & Volunteer

March 1, 2011

Creating a Career Ladder Through Certification

If you're looking toward a long career in animal welfare, earning the Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) designation can give you a valuable boost up the career ladder.

January 1, 2011

Volunteer Management: Avoiding the Bait and Switch

Whether they work in a truly volunteer-positive environment or one that???s still struggling to make the employee/volunteer gears mesh effectively, it???s vital that volunteer coordinators be honest with prospective volunteers about what to expect.

May 1, 2010

Volunteer Management: Take Time for Training

Both inexperienced and expert volunteers can be helpful to your program, but the last thing you want to do is bring in "green" volunteers and fail to provide them the training they need. Learn how to match volunteers' skill sets to the tasks that need to be done.

January 1, 2010

Get Smart—and Certified—at HSU

Humane Society University, an affiliate of The HSUS, has received a license as a higher education degree-granting institution by the District of Columbia Education Licensure Commission. What does that mean for you? Read on.

January 1, 2010

Making It Work

Amber Van Leuken, grant writer (and former assistant manager) at the Ark-Valley Humane Society in Buena Vista, Colo., recounts how the shelter revamped its volunteer program to fit its needs, rather than simply making do with whoever walked in the door that day.

March 10, 2010

The HSUS Statement on the Use of Electro-Muscular Disruption Devices

The HSUS is opposed to the use of Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD) devices in the capture, control, or handling of animals. The false implication that because they are "non-lethal" they are "safe" may lead humane and law enforcement agencies toward unnecessary reliance on EMD devices. We strongly discourage animal control and other law enforcement agents from the use of these devices as a substitute or supplement to current acceptable animal handling tools or techniques.

Networking and Internet Groups

Want to connect with your colleagues in the animal care and control field? Check out these networking opportunities.

Humane Society University

Humane Society University (HSU) provides professional development and training to the animal care and control community.

Everyone Ready

This program of Energize, Inc. is offered to animal protection groups free of charge. This training resource offers monthly webinars or self-paced instruction guides in a variety of topics throughout the year, including access to trainers and an immense archive of materials on each subject.

Humane Career Toolbox

Humane Society University's Humane Career Toolbox will be of interest to people of all ages who seek to professionally assist animals. The toolbox contains resources for both beginning and enhancing a career helping animals.

Shelter Volunteer Management Discussion Group

This is a group for managers of volunteers (both paid and volunteer) who work with animal shelters, breed placement groups, and other animal welfare organizations. Join us in exploring issues related to staff-volunteer relations, volunteer recruitment, training, retention, and supervision. This is a great opportunity to share ideas and improve the experience for volunteers as well as discuss the benefits they provide to our organizations.

Sample Job Descriptions

Job descriptions help clarify organizational responsibilities. Effective job descriptions should be detailed yet concise and easily understandable. Please use these samples to get ideas and inspiration for your organization's job descriptions.

May 7, 2012

Missing Pet Partnership - Shelter Missing Animal Response

Missing Pet Partnership is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to reuniting lost companion animals with their owners/guardians. They offer a 5-day Missing Animal Response Course for animal industry professionals.