Give us a day, or an hour

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization and it's heart and soul. We would not exist without the countless hours given by many, at the shelter, at the Thrift Shop, working and organizing our fundraisers, providing foster homes for special needs, and so much more. Please join us. It will enrich your world as much as it does theirs.

Ways you can help

• Walk a dog on our beautiful trails.
• Socialize kittens (and puppies).
• Bathe & groom dogs
• Work in the office.
• Clean.
• Bake dog treats (see the Thrift Shop page)
• Help with indoor and outdoor maintenance. 
• Work one of our fabulous fundraisers.

We also have a Junior Volunteer program.

Thrift Shop
​The Shop is run entirely by volunteers who are kept busy - and have a lot of fun! - sorting and pricing incoming donations, putting merchandise on display and cashiering.  We also have need of volunteers to help with mending, laundry, store cleaning, recycling books and transporting donations we can't use to other outlets.  Training is provided and you can apply using the online Volunteer application.   

Having fun volunteering!

Volunteers Kathy, Paula and Deanna represented NHS at Don Johnson's Ladies Night Out.

When using any of the Online Application forms below, DO NOT LEAVE ANY BOX EMPTY.
YOU MUST ANSWER EVERY SINGLE APPLICATION QUESTION BY PUTTING AN ANSWER IN EACH BOX, EVEN IF IT IS JUST N/A OR THE SUBMISSION WILL FAIL TO SEND!

IN ADDITION
ENTER JUST NUMBERS FOR YOUR PHONE # (do not include (-/), 
EMAIL ADDRESS MUST BE ENTERED
(N/A IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR PHONE OR EMAIL ADDRESS). 

​Adult Volunteer Application-Online application

​Junior Volunteer Application-Online application

​Foster Home Care Volunteer Application-Online application

New Adoption Ambassador Program

We are just unleashing a very cool new expanded foster program here at Northwoods Humane Society due to a special grant from the ASPCA called the Adoption Ambassador Program that is even better than fostering because you get to take on finding and approving your foster furball’s forever home!  As an Adoption Ambassador, you get the satisfaction of making an incredible impact on your foster pet’s life by getting them adopted!
How does it work?  There are two options available depending on your life situation and schedule.  The first option is to be a traditional foster home where you take a pet in to live with you until you find an adoption family.    
Not enough time to do this on a full time basis?  No problem! We welcome 'drop in' Ambassadors via our 'Dog for a Day' program. For a minimum of a day a week you will be matched with the same dog who you can take to work or out for a hike on a regular basis until the dog is adopted.  The exposure and getting out into the world can make a huge difference toward finding a forever home for a pet.
Both options offer minimal risk if it does not work out – sometimes it just isn’t a good fit between person and foster pet– as there is a two week trial period (after which a 90 day commitment is requested to allow kennel space at the shelter to be opened for another dog or cat) where you can decide to try a different pet.
So the other fun part is that you can develop a “marketing program” for your foster pet.  For example you take them to “places to be seen” such as parks, road trips, walks in town, the office, hiking trails, festivals, etc. to let them be noticed by potential adopters.  Dogs can wear their “Adopt Me” vests wherever you go.  You can get creative and post your foster on your favorite social media websites or throw “meet my foster” cocktail parties…whatever works for you to help us get homeless pets better exposure so others can realize what a great pet is up for adoption!
This program is available to you whether you currently have pets or not and designed for some of our shelter cats as well. It is also available to you if you don’t live in the Hayward area.
Northwoods Humane Society asks for a minimum of a two week commitment from its Ambassadors and is prepared to offer extensive support such as pet training, ideas for marketing your foster pet, resources such as food, treats and medical, and other support Ambassadors request. 

Calling All Dog Treat Bakers!

​One of the unique items we sell at the shop is homemade dog treats which are bagged in paw print packages. The demand for them is huge and we are always in need of bakers. Ingredients are provided at no charge. Call Pat Brummel at 630-525-0189 if you can help! The recipe is shown below.
 Dog Biscuit Recipe:

• ¼ cup oil
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup honey or molasses
• 2-1/2 cups quick cooking oatmeal
• 3 cups flour
• Up to 1 cup milk or water, as needed

 Mix wet ingredients together.  Add dry ingredients to wet mixture, adding milk or water until pliable.  Prepare jellyroll size pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper or foil. Press biscuit mixture into prepared pan, smoothing out with a rolling pin, sprayed lightly with cooking spray.  Use a pizza cutter to cut and score the dough into the desired size of the individual biscuits.  This is important as they are difficult to cut once baked.  Bake at 325 degrees for one hour. Remove from the oven and break pieces apart when cool enough to handle and turn them over in the pan. Put back in the oven at 200 degrees for 2 more hours.  Biscuits should be very hard. The biscuits can be refrigerated or frozen.