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Volunteer at Pets Return Home –
Change a Dog’s Life and Build Real-World Skills!

Pets Return Home is a working rehabilitation, boarding, training, adoption, and convalescence shelter dedicated to giving dogs a second chance. Our volunteers play a crucial role in helping dogs heal, grow, and find loving homes.

Whether you are looking to gain hands-on experience with animals, develop new skills, or simply make a difference, we have a place for you! You will receive training in dog behavior, safe handling, medical care, and more—helping you build skills that benefit both you and our dogs.
Why Volunteer with Pets Return Home?

  • Gain hands-on experience in dog care, training, and medical treatment.

  • Learn valuable skills in rescue operations, animal welfare, and nonprofit work.

  • Make a meaningful impact on dogs who need a second chance.

  • Join a passionate community of animal lovers and advocates.

  • Make a direct impact on dogs overcoming fear, injury, or neglect.

  • Learn real skills in behavior, safe handling, shelter medicine, transport, and nonprofit operations.

  • Belong to a team of dedicated, compassionate people.

  • Grow personally—patience, awareness, leadership, and calm under pressure.

​​​​​​​​​Volunteer Opportunities
Hands-on, Skills-Building (students or pros). 
​Daily on-site
Work directly with our dogs, gain valuable experience, and help them become adoption-ready.
  • Dog Walking & Socialization – Learn safe handling and behavior recognition while giving our dogs exercise, confidence, and companionship.
  • Kennel & Facility Cleaning – Develop skills in hygiene and disease prevention while ensuring a safe and healthy space for our dogs.
  • Property Maintenance – Improve your skills in construction, repairs, and general upkeep while keeping our facility in top shape.
  • Behavior & Training – Work with experienced handlers to learn positive reinforcement techniques that transform fearful or reactive dogs into adoptable companions.
  • Medical Assessments & Preventive Care – Gain hands-on experience in veterinary basics, including parasite prevention, vaccinations, and health evaluations.
  • Emergency & Wound Care – Learn first aid techniques to treat injuries, infections, and post-surgical care.
  • Medication Administration & Treatment Protocols – Train in proper medication dosages, administration methods, and treatment monitoring.
Projects on-site
  • Photography & Videography – Capture the personality of our dogs to help them find homes while sharpening your creative and technical skills.
  • Day Foster & Outings – Help socialize our dogs in real-world settings, improving their adaptability and increasing their chances of adoption.
  • Transportation – Learn safe transport techniques while assisting with vet visits, adoption events, and rescue missions.
  • Dog Washing & Grooming – Develop grooming skills, including nail trimming and coat care, to keep our dogs comfortable and healthy.
  • Clean-up and Hazard mitigation - Help keep the property clean and safe for the safety of the dogs. 

  

Off-Site​

  • Fundraising & Fundraiser Development – Learn nonprofit fundraising strategies while directly helping us sustain our mission.

  • Adoption Events & Advisory – Assist in matching dogs with their perfect homes, gaining experience in customer service and pet adoption counseling.

  • Home Checker – Conduct home visits to ensure safe and loving environments for our dogs, enhancing your assessment and communication skills.

  • Pet Profile & Blog Writing – Use your storytelling skills to help our dogs stand out online and attract adopters.

  • Grant Writing & Newsletter Writing – Develop professional writing and research skills while securing funding for our lifesaving work.

  • Social Media Advocacy – Help promote adoptable dogs and fundraising campaigns to expand our reach and impact.

  • Administrative Work – Support our mission with essential behind-the-scenes tasks like data entry, scheduling, and record-keeping.

  • Adoption Follow-Up & Interviews – Guide new adopters and ensure successful transitions for our dogs into their forever homes.​​

What to Expect
Training & Safety

  • Orientation covers safe handling, behavior signals, PPE, cleaning, medication handling, and emergency basics.

  • Shadowing and step-ups: you’ll learn, then do, with support.

Time & Commitment

  • We welcome one-time helpers, weekend warriors, and regular volunteers who volunteer weekly.

  • Typical shifts: 2 – 4 hours. 

Age & Accessibility

  • Youth participation is possible with supervision (ask us about current policies).

  • Please let us know your access needs—we’ll do our best to accommodate them.

The Impact You’ll Have

  • Dogs gain confidence, trust, and adoptable skills.

  • Volunteers receive coaching and learn skills to apply to their dogs. 

  • Our community sees fewer surrenders and more success stories.

​Ready to Get Started?

  1. Apply: Complete the Volunteer Application

  2. Orientation: Attend a brief orientation & safety training (either on-site or virtual).

  3. Match: We’ll place you in roles that fit your interests and availability.

  4. Support: Ongoing coaching as you learn and grow.

Join our growing volunteer team today.

​Pets Return Home is donor-funded. Your time and support sustain lifesaving programs for dogs who need a second chance. We have saved over 1200 dogs—and we are just getting started.
Learn more: petsreturnhome.org

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Whether you want to work directly with dogs or support our mission from home, there’s a place for you here. Come join us and be a hero for rescue dogs!


📍 Get Started Today!    Sign Up to Volunteer
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