Welcome to the Adams County Humane Society Volunteer Program
We appreciate your interest in our organization and share your desire to make the world a better place for animals. As a nonprofit organization, we depend on our volunteer team, your time and skills, to actively support our mission.
Our Mission Statement - We are committed to sensibly preserving and extending the health and welfare of all animals by fostering positive relationships between pets and people, through adoption, spay/neuter, education, and promoting responsible pet ownership.
It is our hope that you will find your volunteer experience at the Adams County Humane Society enjoyable and rewarding. You can be certain that your contribution is truly appreciated by the Board of Directors, Fundraising Oversight Committee, ACHS Staff, and the animals!
Volunteer opportunities are plentiful at the Humane Society! Volunteers are needed to help both hands-on with the animals and in other supportive roles. Practically any talent you have can help the animals in some way!
Hands-on programs include working in the shelter with dogs and cats – walking, grooming, socializing, training, and cleaning. Volunteers are also needed to help transport animals to and from vet appointments.
For those who choose not to work directly with the animals, other volunteer jobs include helping in the office, tackling maintenance projects, and transporting donated food and supplies. We also need people interested in landscaping and lawn mowing, maintaining Collection Banks, and participating in other one-time special projects that arise during the year.
Volunteers interested in special events and fundraising can help with a variety of annual projects, including our Vaccine/Microchip clinics (February/July), Garage sales (May/August), Dinners (October/March), Newsletters, Community events, and Pet Education. Volunteers for these events can work on planning committees, seek donated items, coordinate individual events, work on the day of the event and help with setup and volunteer recruitment.
Whether you can contribute an hour a year or an hour a day, we hope you’ll join our group of animal-loving volunteers – it’s a fun and rewarding thing to do!
Volunteer Agreement
In an effort to provide the highest quality of service to our community and animals, ensure safety to our staff and volunteers, and be confident at all times that we are effectively carrying out our mission, all volunteers must adhere to the following general policies and guidelines while in the service of Adams County Humane Society (ACHS):
Volunteers are responsible for reporting all changes in address, telephone number, emergency notification data, and any other pertinent data.
Falsification of any ACHS records, including but not limited to volunteer applications or other personal information is prohibited.
When representing ACHS you will strive to maintain an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, and courtesy.
Volunteers must be polite and helpful at all times. All people are to be treated with respect and courtesy.
Animals will be treated responsibly, gently, and with the utmost care and concern.
In order to easily identify volunteers, we suggest the purchase and wearing of an ACHS T-shirt. The cost is approximately $12.
Smoking is not allowed in the Shelter or near the Shelter’s entrance/exit door.
Accidents or injuries to a person must be reported to the ACHS Executive Director or Kennel Manager immediately.
Volunteers are required to accept the guidance and decisions of the Chairperson responsible for the particular volunteer activity in which you are participating. Problems and disagreements should be brought to the attention of the Fundraising Oversight Committee.
Volunteers are expected to refer questions from the public regarding ACHS policies to the ACHS Executive Director or a Board Member and must maintain confidentiality in regards to shelter clients and business.
Volunteers are considered extremely valuable. However, a volunteer will be disqualified from further participation for unsafe practices, misconduct or failure to follow the Volunteer Guidelines.
Board Members Fundraising Oversight Committee Mary Anne Keul-President Cathryn Makurat, ACHS Shelter Manager 339-6700 Jim Hesketh-Secretary Mary Jo Galante 608-339-9149 Kim Meinhardt-Treasurer Jim Hesketh Chris Parks Chris Parks Larry Meyers
HISTORY/COMMON QUESTIONS History The Adams County Humane Society (ACHS) was formed in the early ‘70’s by a group of concerned citizens. It was incorporated in 1974. The animal control officer at the time had to shelter the animals at his farm. Eventually, this dedicated group decided that a shelter in Adams/ Friendship was needed. In 1988, through fundraisers and hard work, the first Humane Society was built. Finally, a permanent home for ACHS to better help the animals of Adams County. In 2000, plans were made to expand the shelter into a larger facility with outdoor exercise areas, and better separation of animal areas. After a generous memorial gift given by Dr. Wesley Willard, the Board of Directors decided to add on once again in 2008, adding a surgical room, an intake room, isolation room and creating a larger cat room.
ACHS takes great pride in the care we give our animals on their way to loving forever homes. We can house up to 30 cats at a time. We have 20 indoor kennels for dogs (3 1/2 by 9 feet) and 16 outside play areas. We also have a "Puppy Room", a quiet area used for dogs about to have puppies, already nursing moms or a litter that is too young for adoption. The price of adoption varies and depends upon age, breed, or sponsorship. Before animals are adopted the dogs are spayed/neutered, given their rabies, distemper, and kennel cough vaccinations, de-wormed, heartworm tested, given heart worm and flea/ tick preventative, and they get a microchip. Cats are tested for FIV/Leukemia, spayed/neutered, given rabies/distemper vaccinations, dewormed and have a microchip as well. ACHS is a small shelter 100% run by donations. That is why our volunteers are so important! If there is anything we can do to make your volunteer experience better, please let us know.
Common questions Q: Do you ever euthanize any animals? A: This is a sensitive subject for everyone which is why ACHS follows our Euthanasia Statement - We take the care of our animals, their wellbeing, and the safety of the public very seriously. Euthanasia is only considered for behavioral and/or medical issues. Q: Where are you located? A: We are located on the east side of town, just north of Adams County Airport and High School at 1982 11th Ave Friendship WI 53934. Q: How are you funded? A: Adams County Humane Society is a private non-profit 501c3 organization run 100% on donations, adoptions and fundraisers. We do not receive government funding. Q: Where do the animals at ACHS come from? A: Our animals come in from owner surrenders throughout the state, strays from the area and from overcrowded facilities. Q: At what age can I adopt a puppy or kitten? A: Kittens can be adopted between 10-12 weeks and puppies approximately 10 weeks old. Q: What is the mission of ACHS? A: Our Mission Statement: We are committed to sensibly preserving and extending the health and welfare of all animals by fostering positive relationships between pets and people, through adoption, spay/neuter, education, and promoting responsible pet ownership. Q: I am thinking about volunteering at ACHS, do you need help? What can I do? Where do I get information? A: We are always looking for volunteers, thank you for thinking of us! Volunteers assist with many different duties. We will work with you personally and through our Volunteer Information Packet to assess your interests and special skills. Visit ACHS for a Volunteer Program Packet to get more information. Q: How can I contact you if I can’t come to your facility? A: You can reach us in many ways! Phone: 608-339-6700. Address: 1982 11th Ave. Friendship, WI 53934, website: adamscountyhumanesociety.org, and we are on Facebook: Adams County Humane Society in Friendship, WI. Be sure to get included in our mailing list to receive valuable information through our Newsletters! Q: How can I help the Adams County Humane Society? A: There are so many ways to support us. With your time or monetary donations, you can also donate items from our wish list. Save your aluminum cans and County Market receipts, and more. Visit our website, stop in and grab a Newsletter or call for more information.