Changing laws, protecting animals: Become a leader for animal protection in your community and across the country!

Humane Policy Volunteer Leaders are at the forefront of our work to advance priority federal, state and local animal protection legislation and policies. These efforts serve to improve conditions for animals in all 435 congressional districts and thousands of state legislative districts across the nation.

About our volunteers:

With guidance from program staff, Humane Policy Volunteer Leaders:

• Develop professional relationships with legislators and their staff through written communications, calls and meetings in support of animal protection priorities.

• Submit comments to federal and state agencies on proposed animal-related regulations, as well as letters to the editor on key animal protection issues.

• Work to foster a stronger animal protection presence in their state and community. This may include representing the organization at local events, assisting with special projects, giving verbal or written testimony and attending public meetings and hearings.

• Encourage people in their network to join them in taking action on essential animal protection issues.

Benefits of volunteering

The Humane Policy Volunteer Leader program is the first, largest and most effective animal protection policy volunteer program of its kind in the nation. Humane Policy Volunteer Leaders often comment that this role empowers them to take their animal advocacy to the next level.

Volunteers deepen their understanding of animal protection issues, gain in-depth knowledge of the policy making process and political landscape, receive invitations to exclusive webinars and workshops and become part of a community of advocates committed to advancing humane public policies that protect all animals.

The more people who speak on behalf of animals and urge their legislators to enact pro-animal protection laws and policies, the more attention elected officials will pay to those issues. If legislators do not hear from you and others who want to protect animals, they are only hearing from people who do not have the animals' best interests at heart.

Becoming a volunteer
All volunteers must:
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be willing to register to vote (if eligible and not already registered).
• Commit to a minimum of four hours per month for one year.
• Complete an interview with program staff, pass a background check* and submit the required paperwork.

*To ensure the safety of the organization's people and property, and the animals in our care, we conduct a background check of our volunteers' criminal history. The organization will consider volunteer applicants with a criminal record on a case-by-case basis. Typically, crimes against people or animals, or crimes of a more recent nature, may be cause for us to decline a volunteer application.

Join us and apply today!

Read the volunteer position description which includes the requirements of this position to determine if the role is a good fit.

• Select the red "Apply Now" button in the top right corner of this page to complete an application.

• After applying, applicants will be invited to complete a digital interview.

• If you are offered this position, you will be asked to complete a background check, paperwork and an introductory call with program staff prior to starting.

If you have questions about this volunteer program, please email us or call 301-721-6405.

Other ways to get involved

If this role is not a fit for you at this time, stay up to date on animal protection issues in your state by signing up to become an ally. Allies receive state-specific email updates and may be asked to take quick actions to advance pro-animal policy issues.

The HSUS embraces volunteers as essential partners in our lifesaving work. We are committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in every aspect of our work and at all levels of our organization. We welcome and respect our volunteers' unique identities, backgrounds and experiences. We believe everyone can help fight for all animals!