Cat socialization at Oregon Humane Society
Spend an hour a week with cats at Oregon Humane Society, helping shy or long-stay residents become more comfortable with people and more adoptable.
Why we picked this
OHS is one of the better-run shelters in the region — their cat care volunteers get detailed notes on each animal's history and behavioral needs, so you're actually doing targeted work, not just sitting in a room.
Oregon Humane Society’s cat socialization program focuses on animals who have been in the shelter for more than two weeks or who have been flagged as shy or anxious. Volunteers work in the cat rooms, spending time with individual animals using whatever interaction style each cat responds to — some want lap time, some want wand toy play, some just need someone calm sitting nearby while they adjust. Staff update behavioral notes in the system weekly and volunteers check them before each session.
New volunteers complete OHS’s standard orientation (available online) and then a brief in-person cat handling walkthrough before their first independent shift. The whole onboarding process takes about two weeks from sign-up to first solo shift. After that, you book your weekly slot through their scheduling system and can adjust day or time as your schedule changes.
The NE Columbia Blvd location is accessible by TriMet bus (Route 75 stops two blocks away) and has a free parking lot. OHS also has dog walking and small animal care positions available if you’d like to cross-train after a few months in cats.