Hearts United for Animals is always looking for volunteers to help promote the interests of companion animals. Here are some of the ways that people can help:

1. Be a foster family. These are families who take in a special needs dog that has been rescued by HUA and cares for that dog until the dog is able to live at the shelter, or until the right home is found for the dog. This is a wonderfully rewarding thing to do.

2. Do home visits for prospective adoptive families. HUA does long distance adoptions to families who live in states all over the country and in Canada. Before we approve an adoption we ask one of our volunteers to go over and meet the family just to be sure that the home is the right one for the dog. We always need volunteers to do the visits and meet the families.

3. Do you have any press contacts? HUA is always looking for new ways to spread the message of compassion for animals. If you have contacts that are favorable to animal issues, we would like to know about them.

4. Gather information about pet stores in your area that sell puppies or dogs. This information will go in a database that will be used to shut down the mills. We are looking for the name, phone number and address of every pet store in the country that is selling puppies. We would then like people to go into the store, pretend to be interested in buying a puppy, ask to see the registration papers, then note the breeder, dealer, and their location and get that information to us.

5. Are you an artist? Do you know any artists who would donate their talents? We need artists to design t-shirts, mugs, and to illustrate a children's book.

6. More volunteer opportunities are located at Prisoners of Greed.

7. Are you flying anywhere in the United States or Canada? Would you be willing to let a dog come along? We transport many of our dogs by airplane and it is safer if they can fly with a person on the flight. Small dogs can go in the cabin and larger dogs in the cargo hold. We would have volunteers on both ends of the flight and would pay the additional cost. If you are flying and are willing to take a dog along, please email your flight dates to hua@hua.org

8. Hold a Fund Raising Event! Several people from across the country have set up booths at fairs or craft shows to benefit HUA! They have held auctions and sold gift items. Margaret Herrera raised over 800 dollars at one event! Thanks Margaret. If you want to hold an event, let us know and we will send you newsletters and information.

9. Do you have a display spot for newsletters? Maybe your office or your vet has a spot where you could set up some newsletters for people to pick up? Let us know and we will send you a small plastic stand and a stack of newsletters.

10. CARPENTERS! We need people in the Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri area who are handy with wood, hammers and nails to help at the shelter.

11. PHOTOGRAPHERS! We need photographers in several areas of the country to take photos of dogs in their new homes for use in newsletters and a book.

Any other ideas of how you can help? Send us an email at hua@hua.org and let us know if you would like to help.

Fill out this Volunteer form and fax it to us and we'll keep your name on file and let you know when there is a dog or cat in need in your area.