Start Your Volunteer Journey
Use your time, your talent, and your heart to save lives.
Be Part of the Crew That Saves Lives
Every rescue. Every adoption. Every second chance begins with people like you.
When you volunteer with The Rescue Crew, you join a mission-driven community built on compassion, accountability, and the belief that every life matters.
Whether you serve weekly, monthly, or seasonally, your time helps provide safety, healing, and hope to animals in need.
Prefer to listen instead of reading?
Your Three Steps to Join the Crew
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1. Watch the Volunteer Orientation
Learn how our foster-based rescue operates, what to expect, and how volunteers support our mission.
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2. Complete the Volunteer Application
Tell us about your interests, skills, and availability so we can help match you with the right opportunity.
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3. Connect With Our Team
After reviewing your application, our team will invite you to book a call so we can help place you in a role that fits your strengths and schedule.
🐾 Start Your Volunteer Journey
🐾 Start Your Volunteer Journey
All volunteers begin by completing our brief Orientation & Training Video.
During the interactive video, you’ll learn how our foster-based rescue model works, understand expectations and communication standards, and gain insight into the various volunteer teams.
Once completed, you’ll automatically be directed to the Volunteer Application & Agreement Form.
Volunteer With Purpose
Every life we save depends on people who step forward.
Whether you prefer hands-on animal work, behind-the-scenes support, or strategic leadership, there’s a place for you on the Crew.
Below are the roles we are currently recruiting for, along with the teams where your strengths can make the biggest impact.
We are actively recruiting for the following roles:
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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 -
Grant Researcher & Writer
Help The Rescue Crew secure funding by researching grant opportunities and drafting proposals that support lifesaving programs.
Time Commitment: Flexible; approximately 3–6 hours/week during active grant cycles
Reports to: Executive Director
Not Seeing the Perfect Fit Above? Explore Our Volunteer Crews.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
Stay Connected with The Rescue Crew
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