Start Your Volunteer Journey
Use your time, your talent, and your heart to save lives.
Be Part of the Crew That Saves Lives.
Volunteers are the heart and hands of our mission. Every rescue, every adoption, every second chance begins with people like you.
Whether you volunteer once a week or once a month, your time and compassion help animals find safety, healing, and love.
When you join The Rescue Crew, you join a community built on kindness, teamwork, and the belief that every life matters.
Currently Recruiting
We are actively recruiting for the following roles:
-
Adoption Counselor - Dogs
Guide rescued dogs from foster care to carefully matched forever homes.
Time Commitment: 5–8 hours/week
Reports to: Adoptions Manager -
Adoption Counselor - Cats
Ensure thoughtful placements and strong adopter experiences for rescued cats.
Time Commitment: 5–8 hours/week
Reports to: Adoptions Manager -
Intake Coordinator
Evaluate rescue requests and help determine next steps for animals in need.
Time Commitment: 4–6 hours/week
Reports to: Intake Manager -
Google Ads / Ad Grant Manager
Help The Rescue Crew effectively and compliantly create & manage its Google Ads account, including participation in the Google Ad Grants program.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours/month
Reports to: Executive Director
Volunteer With Purpose
Every life we save depends on people who step forward.
Whether you love working directly with animals, supporting fosters, organizing behind the scenes, or helping us grow sustainably — there’s a role for you on The Rescue Crew.
Explore the ways you can serve below and discover where your strengths can make the biggest difference.
Click on a team below to explore additional volunteer opportunities.
-
Guide animals from rescue to forever home.
Adoption volunteers help review applications, coordinate meet-and-greets, support fosters, and ensure thoughtful, ethical placements.
Roles include:
Adoption Counselor – Dogs
Adoption Counselor – Cats
Foster-to-Adopt Program Coordinator
Strong communication skills and good judgment are key.
-
Be part of the first step in saving a life.
This team evaluates shelter pets in need of rescue placement, coordinates transfers, works with shelter partners, and helps determine placement pathways.
Fast-paced and emotionally meaningful work.
Best for animal-savvy volunteers who can handle emotional situations with compassion and clarity. Availability during assigned shelter/impounds hours (typically daytime) is necessary).
-
Support the health and stability of animals in foster care.
Volunteers assist with:
• Vet coordination
• Medical follow-up
• Foster caregiver support
• Tracking treatment plansBasic medical knowledge is helpful — but a willingness to learn is welcome.
-
Serve the cats in our physical adoption center.
Volunteers provide:
• Daily care & cleaning shifts
• Enrichment & socialization
• Visitor support during public hours
• Adoption assistanceMorning and evening care shifts available.
Great for hands-on animal lovers.
-
Strengthen the backbone of our rescue.
This team:
• Onboards new fosters
• Provides mentoring and support
• Assists with training
• Helps troubleshoot challengesPerfect for experienced fosters who want to give back by supporting others.
-
Help animals get seen — and adopted.
Roles include:
• Photography
• Writing adoption bios
• Social media
• Graphic design
• Email campaignsIf you love telling stories that move people to action, this team is for you.
-
Fuel the mission.
Volunteers assist with:
• Fundraising campaigns
• Corporate partnerships
• Grant research
• Community eventsGreat for strategic thinkers who want to grow impact beyond daily operations.
Lead With Us
Board and executive volunteers shape strategy, governance, and long-term sustainability.
If you have experience in nonprofit leadership, veterinary medicine, finance, marketing, or fundraising — we’d love to connect.
How to Apply:
Submit a brief statement of interest and resume to board@rescuecrew.org.
Please share your relevant skills, background, and passion for animal welfare.
Make Your Volunteer Time Go Even Further
Many employers offer volunteer grant programs — meaning after you volunteer your time, they’ll donate to The Rescue Crew on your behalf.
Some companies also offer Volunteer Time Off (VTO), allowing you to spend the day volunteering while still getting paid.
It’s an easy way to double your impact — helping us provide food, medical care, and second chances to animals in need.
Search your employer below to see if they offer volunteer grants or VTO.
Step 1
Step 2
Submit a volunteer grant or VTO request through your employer.
Your employer donates to support lifesaving care for cats and dogs.
Step 3
Before You Apply
Before You Apply
Before submitting your application, please complete our Volunteer Orientation & Training Video. You’ll learn how our foster-based rescue operates, what to expect, and how we support volunteers.
You’ll answer a few quick questions along the way, and when you finish, you’ll automatically be directed to the Volunteer Application & Agreement Form.
Ready to Get Started?
After completing orientation, you’ll be directed to the Volunteer Application & Agreement Form.
From there, our team will follow up to help you find your perfect fit on the Crew.
Every volunteer plays a part in saving lives —
thank you for being that lifeline.
Serving pets and people across Minnesota — especially the Twin Cities and surrounding communities.