Volunteer at TLHS
At Tupelo-Lee Humane Society (TLHS), volunteers play an essential role in the daily care and well-being of the animals we serve. Whether you’re walking dogs, helping keep our facility clean, supporting events, or offering your skills in another area, every hour you give makes a lasting difference.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteers provide love, time, and a voice for the animals in our care. When you join the TLHS volunteer team, you will:
Make a direct impact on homeless animals’ lives
Gain hands-on experience in animal care and shelter operations
Meet like-minded people and become part of the TLHS family
Give back to your community in a meaningful and rewarding way
Whether you’re looking to help regularly or support the shelter through special projects, your contribution truly matters.
Volunteer Roles at TLHS
Volunteer opportunities are available in several key areas based on current shelter needs:
Property Care
Groundskeeping, light maintenance, and general facility upkeep.
General Care & Cleaning
Helping staff maintain a clean, safe environment for both animals and visitors. Tasks may include laundry, dishes, sweeping, organizing, and basic cleaning.
Animal Socialization & Dog Walking
After completing orientation and hands-on training with a TLHS staff member, volunteers may assist with:
Dog walking
Cat enrichment
Positive socialization
Shelter enrichment activities
Shelter Ambassadors
Representing TLHS at adoption events, community programs, school visits, supply drives, and more.
Each role includes specific training and requirements to set volunteers up for success.
How to Get Started
Fill Out a Volunteer Application
Complete our online volunteer form or stop by the shelter to submit a paper application.
2. Wait for Contact
Our team will reach out with available opportunities, scheduling, and next steps.
3. Attend Orientation
All volunteers must complete a scheduled orientation.
A $20 donation to help offset the cost of your volunteer vest is appreciated but not required.
4. Training & Mentorship
Volunteers wishing to work with animals must complete hands-on mentorship with a senior TLHS staff member.
This ensures safety, proper handling, and consistency in behavioral enrichment.
Volunteer Requirements
Age Requirements
Volunteers must be 16 years or older to volunteer onsite.
Volunteers under 18 must have a parent or guardian’s signature.
Volunteers under 16 can still help in meaningful ways from home or through community activities.
Younger Volunteers (Under 16) Can Help By:
Organizing supply drives (toys, Kongs, towels, peanut butter, food)
Completing approved at-home projects
Supporting community outreach or fundraising events (with a parent/guardian)
Volunteers Seeking Lighter Activities Can Help With:
Laundry (folding, washing, drying)
Newspaper prep
Filling enrichment toys
Reading to animals
Gentle cleaning tasks
Event support or ambassador activities
Volunteer Hours
Volunteers are generally scheduled during TLHS business hours:
Tuesday–Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Alternate arrangements may be approved by TLHS management depending on the role or project.
Animal Handling & Training
Handling animals requires specialized training for the safety of you, the animals, and our team.
Volunteers cannot handle animals immediately after orientation.
Training includes a mentorship session with a senior TLHS staff member.
After training, volunteers may assist with dog walking, cat socialization, enrichment, and structured interaction.
Our current highest needs remain property care, cleaning, and general animal care, but trained volunteers are welcome to support enrichment once approved.
Volunteer FAQ's
Volunteers must be 16+ to participate at the shelter. Under 16 may assist through offsite or special projects.
Not immediately. Animal handling requires specialized training and staff mentorship.
Even if regular volunteering isn’t the right fit, there are still many meaningful ways to support our mission, from supply drives and short-term projects to event help, in-kind contributions, and more.
Community Service Hours
TLHS accepts certain court-ordered, school-required, and program-required community service hours.
To request approval, please call our Outreach Coordinator at 662-205-4221 Ext. 1006 or email volunteer@tupeloleehumane.org with the following information:
Total number of hours needed
The organization requiring your service
Your availability and deadline
Any restrictions, requirements, or paperwork
Once we receive your information, our team will review your request and confirm whether we can accommodate your hours, along with the next steps to get started.
Senior Projects
We proudly welcome Tupelo High School seniors, students from other Lee County schools, and students from any school or district completing their senior projects.
To request approval, please call our Outreach Coordinator at 662-205-4221 Ext. 1006 or email volunteer@tupeloleehumane.org with the following information:
Your proposed project idea
School requirements
Deadlines and project scope
Any additional expectations or documentation
We encourage creative and meaningful projects that support our animals, improve shelter operations, or expand our community outreach and education efforts.
Scout Projects (Eagle & Gold Award Eligible)
TLHS gladly supports Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts working on service badges, Eagle Scout Projects, and Gold Award Projects.
To get started, please call our Outreach Coordinator at 662-205-4221 Ext. 1006 or email volunteer@tupeloleehumane.org with:
Your project proposal
Requirements and guidelines from your troop
Your project timeline
Any materials you plan to provide or need donated
We welcome hands-on, impactful projects that improve our facility, enhance animal care, or support community education.
Have More Questions?
We’d love to hear from you! Contact Us for more information on becoming a TLHS volunteer, project approvals, or general assistance.