Volunteer
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering at Speranza is rewarding in many ways. Not only are you helping the dogs and a great cause, but dogs’ gratitude is indescribable. The dogs look forward to their walks with the volunteers, appreciate all the affection the volunteers provide and rely on them to keep the rescue functioning. The dogs at Speranza are waiting for a family of their own, but until they are adopted, the volunteers provide them with all the love and care of a family.
Role of Volunteers
Speranza is entirely staffed by volunteers; not a single person involved collects a paycheck from the rescue. The volunteers do everything at the rescue from organizing donations to cleaning kennels and walking dogs. Volunteers follow a daily systematic schedule in order to get all of the dogs taken care of and all of the chores done. There are three types of volunteers at Speranza and a description of each is given below:
Dog-walking Volunteers
Cleaning/Organizing Volunteers
Farm Chore Volunteers
We require all volunteers to fill out the Volunteer Application and attend a new volunteer orientation.
How to apply to become a volunteer
Complete the volunteer application
Qualified applicants will be invited to attend an orientation at the rescue to start training
Applicants who do not meet the requirements may be invited to help at events in lieu of regular volunteering.
Dog Walking Volunteers
Dog walking at Speranza is not glamorous. It is hard physical work that must be done 365 days per year, regardless of the weather or holidays. Dog walking volunteers are critical to Speranza’s operation. Our dogs get three walks per day, seven days per week, rain, snow, or sunshine, no exceptions. This regularity is very important for their exercise, rehabilitation and socialization. It is not expected or warranted to incorporate training during the dogs’ walks as it is their “break time” from the kennel environment.
Dog walking shifts start at 6:00 AM, noon and 5:45 PM every single day. A typical shift at the rescue consists of walking various dogs 2-5 miles over a 2-3 hour span. Some dogs are particularly strong and can pull hard. Maintaining control of these dogs is physical work that each walking volunteer must be prepared for. After the dogs are walked there may be some small chores to be done as well. Dog walkers are needed seven days per week at all three shifts.
Dog Walking Volunteer Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older
Volunteers must be physically fit enough to walk 2 - 5 miles while walking dogs that pull
Must be able to volunteer at the rescue at least once every two weeks
Volunteers must have experience handling large dogs
Cleaning / Organizing Volunteers
Not interested in walking? Not to worry! Running the rescue requires more than exercising and socializing the dogs. We are always in need of volunteers to perform basic cleaning and organization tasks. With 50 dogs to care for, we wash 50 bowls twice per day, every day. We must stock shelves on a daily basis with fresh bedding and supplies. And, we have a constant flow of donations that must be sorted and organized.
The cleaning/organizing volunteers are needed each day from 10 AM - noon and again from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. This position will have limited hands-on interaction with the dogs but provides an absolutely critical function in the sustainability of the rescue.
Cleaning/Organizing Volunteer Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older
Volunteers must be physically fit enough to stand/walk for two hours and lift 25 pounds
Must be able to volunteer at the rescue at least once every two weeks
FARM CHORE VOLUNTEERS
As you know, we aren’t just about dogs here at Speranza. We have accumulated quite a collection of farm animals - everything from horses to cows, to goats and pigs, to alpacas, ducks and donkeys! We need a crew of volunteers to help with the chores associated with these farm animals. We need help feeding, watering, cleaning stalls and general cleaning up after the animals.
We have two shifts per day beginning at 5:15 AM and 3:30 PM. The shifts typically last 3-4 hours. Chores must be done during these hours to make it work around the dog walking schedule. We will train you and get you familiar with how we do things at Speranza before you work independently during a shift. We schedule weekly, so you won’t have to commit to the same shift every week.
Farm Chore Volunteer Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older.
Volunteers must be physically fit enough to stand/walk for four hours and lift at least 50 pounds.
Volunteers will need to work at least one shift every week at a minimum.
We prefer farm volunteers to have some experience working with farm animals, but we are willing to train reliable volunteers.
Poop Scooping VOLUNTEERS
As you can imagine with 50 dogs at the rescue comes a lot of, well… poop. We have a volunteer crew who focuses on maintaining a clear walking path for both dogs and their walkers.
Poop pick up shifts range any day of the week between 9-11 AM and 3-5 PM.
Poop Scooping Volunteer Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older.
Volunteers must be physically fit enough to stand/walk on uneven terrain, manage a wheelbarrow, and lift 25 pounds.
Volunteers will need to work at least one shift every two weeks at a minimum.
Volunteers must be willing to accept direction and respect boundaries given regarding dogs and farm animals at Speranza.
