The Animal Intake Crew has one of the largest and most important roles within the rescue. This Crew is responsible for bringing animals into the rescue. This is done by establishing and maintaing positive relationships with local shelters and impounds, being the face of the rescue to individuals seeking to surrender a pet, or those who have found a stray, and working with and supporting a select group of out-of-state rescue/shelter organizations where The Rescue Crew can make the biggest impact.

The roles within this Crew can also be one of the most emotionally draining within the rescue. You will see the overwhelming volume of animals in need and be tasked with the responsibility to determine which of those pets we are able to assist. While these can be stressful volunteer roles, they are also one of the most rewarding, and also the most "hands on" with the dogs and cats as you will be visiting shelters and meeting and assessing dogs and cats in need. The key to success in these roles is knowing limits - both your own and those of the organization, and also becoming familiar with the strengths, weaknesses and abilities of our foster base to develop and understanings of the types of animals (breeds, ages, sizes, medical issues, etc.) that we are best equipped to help

Volunteer Positions on the Animal Intake Crew:

• Intake Manager (currrently filled)
• Intake Coordinator - in-state
• Intake Coordidinator - tribal lands/reservations  (currently filled)
• Intake Coordinator - owner surrenders & adoption returns
• Intake Admin
• Bully Breed Team Lead - must have extensive knowledge and experience with pit bull-type dogs
• Bully Breed Representative - must have knowledge of, and a comfort level working with, pit bull-type dogs

​Click on each role to learn more about the responsibilities involved.

Intake Coordinator.
The Rescue Crew focuses on the local most urgent animals in need that are facing imminent risk of euthanasia without rescue support. These animals are sitting in local impounds and shelters located within the Twin Cities metro area and beyond. We are looking for people who have the desire and ability to visit these locations on a regular basis to teperament test we will provide you the tools and training necessary), and assist us in networking these urgent animals in hopes of fidning them foster-based placement either with The Rescue Crew or other local foster-based rescue organization.

Intake Coordinators may also assist in bringing the animals into the rescue by arranging for transport from the shelter to the rescue, arranging vetting while at the current shelter location, and lines up fosterhomes for these animals to be placed in when they arrive. This role can be one of the most rewarding, and crucial to the success of th eanimal getting out of a shelter alive, but can also be stressful and emotionally taxing. You will be working with vatious shelters and impounds, learning the processes for transferring animals to rescue and maintaining positive relationships wit these crucial partners that we work with to help save the lives of companion animals at risk.

Bully Breed Representative:  While The Rescue Crew helps save the lives of companion animals of all sizes, ages, breeds and conditions, we will always maintain a focus on helping one of the least adopted and most euthanized breeds in the country - the "pit bull-type" dog or "bully breed." Having individuals who have significant experience with bully breeds who can assist in helping to educate fosters, adopters and the general public about the breed to overcome misperceptions and assist with appropriate and proper placement of pit bull-type dogs in prospective foster and adoptive homes would be the primary resposibility you would take on in this role. A passion and advocacy for this breed is a must.
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The Rescue Crew will strive to set ourselves apart from other organizations by maintaining both proactive and reactive support and communication with our team members, fosters, volunteers and prospective and past adopters (maintaining an “Adopters Welcome” way of thinking and conducting business). 
 

• Adopters Welcome philosophy: This way of thinking is an approach to adoptions that embraces community members, encourages them to adopt, and helps them and their pets succeed. The approach also acknowledges the connection among all local animal welfare organizations and the impact adoptions, or lack thereof, can have on all of the animals in the communities in which we serve. The approach builds on new ways of thinking and working to reduce barriers to adoptions that sometimes exist within the animal rescue/welfare community.  For more information, please visit:  https://www.animalsheltering.org/page/adopters-welcome-manual

 
In general, this means establishing and nurturing new relationships, maintain ongoing dialogue and building upon existing relationships, and conducting post-adoption conversations to follow-up with adopters in an effort to provide ongoing support and do our best to ensure appropriate and proper placement of our animals we place and reduce potential risks of returns by providing proactive support and tips to assist individuals when bringing a new animal into the home. 
 
Communications and the nurturing of relationships will be handled through a variety of mediums, such as texts, private/instant messaging, FB friending and posting, emails and telephone conversations (but the preferred and most often beneficial communication is through personal contact—either in person or through telephone conversations).