Volunteer

Our greatest need is local foster homesSince we do not operate a central shelter, our ability to assist Shelties in need is dependent on available foster homes. We especially need fosters who can work with shy dogs, as many of the dogs in our program have had difficult or limited life experiences. See FOSTER for more information: 

We invite you to join our volunteer teams and will mentor you! We are a compassionate, non-judgmental, anti-racist, LGBTQIA2S+ and disabled inclusive rescue, currently in need of volunteers for the following:

INTAKE COORDINATORS: Our Intake Team connects families with resources to prevent surrender or coordinates intake with surrendering parties, transferring shelters, and other sources when a Sheltie comes into our program. This includes communications between all parties, obtaining release forms and other documentation, and coordinating transport with our Volunteer Team. The Intake Team works with the Foster & Adoption Teams to place Shelties into foster care or with waiting adopters. Contact info@mnsheltierescue.org to join our Intake Team.

FOSTER COORDINATORS: Our Foster Team mentors new foster homes, manages foster home availability, coordinates vet appointments, and works with our Intake and Adoption Teams for Sheltie placements and with our Volunteer Team for coordinating food and supply needs for foster homes. Contact foster@mnsheltierescue.org to join our Foster Team.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS: Our Volunteer Team recruits and mentors new volunteers based on their interests, coordinates volunteers for events, and works with our Intake and Foster Teams for intake transport needs or foster home food and supply needs. Contact volunteer@mnsheltierescue.org to join our Volunteer Team.

ADOPTION TEAM: Our Adoption Team checks applicant references, visits with interested adopters in their home, works with the Foster Team to match Shelties with approved applicants, finalizes adoptions, writes success stories, and follows up annually on adopted MNSR Shelties. The Adoption Team responds to phone and email inquiries and assembles materials for our Home Visit and Adoption Folders. Tasks are split up among various volunteers. Contact adopt@mnsheltierescue.org to join our Adoption Team.

DEVELOPMENT TEAM: Our Development Team plans and coordinates events and classes, plans fundraising opportunities, coordinates community outreach, and develops community partnerships for our surrender diversion program or to assist families who are no longer able to care for their Sheltie. We are currently in need of volunteers to expand our surrender diversion program. Contact volunteer@mnsheltierescue.org to join our Development Team.

Additional ongoing volunteer needs include:

LOST SHELTIES TEAM: Our Lost Sheltie Coordinator provides families of lost Shelties with tools and resources to guide the search to help find their dog. When engaged in an active search for a lost Sheltie, our Coordinator maintains a map of sightings and areas where flyers have been placed/distributed to help volunteers who are searching for the dog. We need volunteers to periodically assist with social media posts on Facebook.com/LostSheltiesMn, and to support and assist families by placing signs and distributing flyers when a Sheltie is lost. Contact volunteer@mnsheltierescue.org to join our Lost Shelties Team. 

COMMUNICATIONS TEAM: Our Communications Team updates website content, works with foster families to write Sheltie bios, creates flyers and other printed materials, responds to email inquiries, writes thank you notes, and works with our Leadership Team to develop communication messages. Contact volunteer@mnsheltierescue.org to join our Communications Team. 

If you are interested in volunteering with Minnesota Sheltie Rescue in other capacities, please contact us at volunteer@mnsheltierescue.org.

Sheltie Ambassador/Volunteer - Roscoe Volunteer Heather with Sheltie Ambassadors Trudy and Mya at Doggie Depot