Volunteer and foster with the Eau Claire County Humane Association

Make school presentations and take part in special events for the Eau Claire County Humane Association. If you are only available to help out on a limited basis, this is a perfect volunteer opportunity for you.

Education & Outreach Committee
To become more involved in ECCHA outreach programs, you can become a member of our Education & Outreach Committee. Focused on promoting the shelter and its mission within the community, this committee strives to bring light to issues like pet overpopulation and responsible pet ownership.

For more information on our Outreach Programs, contact our Executive Director at 715-839-4747 ext. 25 or email at .

Throughout the year we hold a variety of fundraisers and events that help us continue to accomplish our mission. We always appreciate excited, hardworking volunteers to help us plan for and host these events.

Fundraising volunteer opportunities include: a Silent Auction, our Fido & Friends Fun Run dog walk, raffles, the Art With Heart auction, our Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale, and our Santa Paws Ornaments sale, just to name a few.

Fundraising Committee
The fundraising committee plans and organizes our fundraisers. They are constantly looking for new and creative ways to increase our revenue, so that we can continue to accomplish our mission.

For more information on our Fundraising Programs, contact our Executive Director at 715-839-4747 ext. 25 or email at .

Our Board of Directors helps keep everything running smoothly here at the shelter. Elected by our Association members, the Board holds regular meetings to establish policies and operational guidelines for the shelter.

Our Board of Directors is made up of nine voting members including our President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Our Treasurer is the tenth member and acts as a financial advisor for the organization. For more information on how you can become a part of the Board of Directors, please contact our Executive Director at 715-839-4747 ext. 25 or email at .

Saving a life: volunteering or fostering with ECCHA

You don't need to be an animal expert to help improve the lives of animals in our community. As a non-profit organization, much of what we do is made possible by the help of volunteers. From playing with pets in our shelter and organizing outreach programs to fostering abused or neglected pets, we are always on the lookout for more volunteers.

Volunteering with ECCHA

If you would like to volunteer with us, we ask that you complete a Volunteer Information Form and attend a volunteer orientation. We have two volunteer orientations each week.

Volunteer orientations will begin at 5pm and 6pm every Thursday, so please be on time. We ask that you call 715-839-4747 x 21 or email to let us know you will be attending. Please put “attending orientation” in the subject line. Space is limited to 10 participants each session.

If you do not sign up for orientation and more than ten people arrive, priority will be given to those who have informed us they will be attending. This short session will let you become familiar with the shelter, our policies, and guidelines. We welcome youth volunteers but request that any volunteer under the age of 16 be accompanied by an adult.

If you have any questions about volunteering please contact our Executive Director at 715-839-4747 ext. 25 or .

Download the volunteer application.

Ways to Volunteer

Our volunteers help with everything from walking dogs, cuddling with cats, and obedience training to office paperwork, building and grounds maintenance, and laundry. You can also assist at special events we host throughout the year.

Upcoming Opportunities

We always have openings for volunteers. To learn more about how you can help out or for more details on one of the opportunities below, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 715-839-4747 ext. 27 or .

Fostering a Pet

Unfortunately not every pet that comes into our shelter finds a home quickly. That's why we encourage the community to foster pets for short periods of time until we can find the perfect family for them. Whether you are looking to care for a kitten or puppy simply too small to exist on its own or hoping to give a pet some well deserved time away from the shelter, a temporary stay at your home can literally save an animal's life.

Becoming a Foster Home

Before fostering a pet from our shelter, you must fill out a foster care application; understand and agree with the foster program's goals; meet the ECCHA adoption standards; prove that pets you own are sterilized, vaccinated, and well cared for; and attend a volunteer orientation. We also request that all foster homes be open to a home inspection and display they can provide for the foster pet during the time of their stay.

Find out how to become a foster parent.

Tips to Be a Successful Foster Parent

The thought of taking care of an adorable dog or playful cat for a short while may seem like a breeze. But we want to make sure each of our foster homestays are providing the comfort and care they should. The tips below will help prepare you to be a model foster parent.

1.	Give your foster animal lots of attention and affection. The animal may have lived a difficult life before coming to your home. Your love and attention will help to heal the animal's physical and psychological wounds.
2.	Learn as much as you can about pet care. Before you bring your foster animal home, learn as much as you can about caring for that animal. Read about feeding, grooming, and training; study the warning signs that may indicate the animal needs veterinary attention.
3.	Be prepared to make a financial commitment. Before volunteering to foster an animal, find out from the shelter what costs you will incur. Depending on your shelter's policies and resources, you may be asked to pay for food, supplies, and/or veterinary care.
4.	Make your home pet-friendly. Before you bring your foster animal home, make sure you "pet proof" your home. For example, remove poisonous plants and protect furnishings. Keep the animal's room warm and comfortable. Also, take steps to prevent the animal from escaping.
5.	Enjoy being a foster parent. Although fostering takes a great deal of time and commitment, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. You are temporarily providing a needy animal with a loving home and helping that animal become more suitable for adoption into a responsible, lifelong family.

View all the tips to becoming a successful foster parent.