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

​Why Volunteers Are Essential

Pets Return Home is a working rehabilitation, boarding, training, adoption, and convalescence shelter dedicated to giving dogs a second chance. Volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission — helping dogs heal, grow, and find safe, loving homes.
 

Whether you're here to learn, to give back, or to build skills, you’ll gain hands-on experience in behavior, medical care, and rescue work while making a life-changing impact for dogs who need a second chance.
 

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in dog behavior, handling, and rehabilitation

• Skills in rescue operations, shelter medicine, and nonprofit work

• Confidence working with fearful, injured, or neglected dogs

• Personal growth: leadership, patience, awareness, calm under pressure

• A place on a supportive, passionate team
   

What You’ll Help With — Volunteer Opportunities

Below are our core volunteer roles.
Choose what fits your interests, comfort level, or goals — or try a little of everything.
 

Daily On-Site Roles (Hands-On Work With Dogs)

• Dog Walking & Socialization

  • Learn safe handling and behavior recognition while helping dogs build confidence, trust, and manners.

• Kennel & Facility Cleaning

  • Support hygiene, safety, and disease prevention while creating a healthy environment for our dogs.

• Property & Facility Maintenance

  • Help with ranch upkeep, repairs, cleaning, and construction projects that keep our dogs safe.

• Behavior & Training Support

  • Work alongside experienced handlers to help fearful or reactive dogs gain confidence and adoptable skills.

• Medical Assessments & Preventive Care

  • Learn parasite prevention, vaccination prep, wound care, and health evaluations.

• Emergency & Wound Care Assistance

  • Support first aid for injuries, infections, and post-surgical recovery.

• Medication Support

  • Learn proper dosing protocols, administration, and treatment monitoring.
     

Special Projects (On-Site or Hybrid)

• Photography & Videography

  • Capture personality-filled images and videos that help dogs get adopted.

• ​Dog Outings & Day Foster

  • Help socialize dogs in real-world settings — parks, stores, walks — to build confidence and readiness.

• ​Transportation

  • Assist with vet runs, adoption events, and rescue missions.

• ​Grooming Support

  • Help with baths, nail trims, brushing, and general comfort care.

• ​Clean-Up & Hazard Mitigation

  • Help maintain safe, clean, and dog-friendly spaces across the property.

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​Off-Site & Virtual Roles

• Fundraising & Event Support

  • Help create, host, or assist with fundraisers that keep our programs running.

• Adoption Counseling & Event Assistance

  • Help match dogs to their new families at adoption events.

• Home Checks

  • Conduct home visits to ensure safe environments for adoptable dogs.

• Writing: Blogs, Grants, Newsletters, Dog Profiles

  • Use your storytelling skills to help dogs get adopted and secure funding.

• Social Media Advocacy

  • Share adoptable dogs and educational posts to grow our rescue’s reach.

• Administrative Support

  • Help with scheduling, data entry, communications, and behind-the-scenes operations.

• Adoption Follow-Up & Interviews

  • Help adopters prepare for success and stay connected as dogs transition home.
     

Skills-Building Programs (Advanced Volunteer Training)

We offer unique hands-on training programs that help volunteers grow into confident, capable handlers and rescue professionals.
 

Available Programs Include:

• Fearful Dog Handling & Confidence Building

• Multi-Dog Handling & Pack Management

• Basic Medical Assessment & Triage

• Vaccination Assistance & Preventive Care

• Shelter Medicine Protocols

• Behavior Observation & Reporting

• Rehabilitation for High-Behavior Dogs
   

These programs are taught by PRH staff and can be completed during regular volunteer shifts.
 

What to Expect When You Volunteer

Training & Safety

Your orientation includes:

• Safe dog handling

• Behavior and communication signals

• Leash, harness, and containment protocols

• PPE and sanitation procedures

• Medication handling basics

• Emergency response

You’ll shadow experienced volunteers and staff before you take on responsibilities independently.
 

Time & Commitment

We welcome:

• One-time helpers

• Weekend volunteers

• Students earning hours

• Regular weekly volunteers

• Typical shifts: 2–4 hours

• You can choose your schedule.
   

Age & Accessibility

• Volunteers 8+ with parent/guardian

• Volunteers 14+ may perform some tasks independently

• We will do our best to accommodate physical or accessibility needs — just let us know.
   

The Impact You’ll Have:

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For Our Dogs

• Fearful dogs gain confidence

• Shutdown dogs rediscover trust

• High-behavior dogs become adoptable

• Injured or sick dogs receive compassionate care

• Every dog gets a chance at a safe, loved life
   

For You

• Build real-world animal care and behavior skills

• Gain rescue experience for career or school

• Learn handling skills you can use with your own dog

• Make meaningful connections with a supportive team

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For Our Community

• Fewer surrenders

• More adoptable dogs

• Lower euthanasia rates

• Stronger shelter partnerships​
   

Volunteer Protocols & Safety​

• Dress Code

  • Closed-toe shoes required

  • Weather-appropriate clothing

  • Long pants are recommended for hiking

  • Expect dirt, fur, and fun

• Entry & Access

  • Age 8+ with supervision

  • Sign in/out required

  • Visits by appointment

  • Vaccination guidelines apply

• Property Conduct

  • Report all injuries or incidents

  • Park in designated areas

  • No rough play

  • No training dogs unless directed

  • Notify staff of medical issues

• Feeding & Treats

  • Only PRH-approved food/treats

  • Supervised treat use

  • No outside snacks

• Dog Walking

  • Walk-only trails

  • Under-14s must walk with adults

  • Use PRH leashes/collars

  • Clean up required

• Kennels & Gates

  • Always latch gates

  • Ask before entering kennels

  • Approach calmly

  • Return dogs correctly

• Volunteer Agreement​​

  • By volunteering, you acknowledge the risks, agree to follow PRH policies, and commit to humane treatment of dogs and to positive representation of our organization.

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Ready to Get Started?

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How to Join the Team

1. Apply - Complete the Volunteer Application.

2. Attend Orientation - A short on-site or virtual training to review safety and handling.

3. Get Matched - We’ll place you in roles that fit your goals, interests, and comfort level.

4. Make an Impact - Start helping fearful, forgotten, and high-needs dogs heal and thrive.

 

Join Us — and Change a Life

Whether you want to work directly with dogs, support operations, or help from home, there’s a place for you here.

• Apply to Volunteer

• Sign Up for an Orientation

• Contact Us