Volunteer

Fostering an EARS rescue

Dogs and cats rescued from the streets, municipal shelters, or from abusive or neglectful situations must be safely, temporarily housed until a permanent home can be found. We cannot exist as rescuers without the support and commitment of our foster families. Without you, these animals would literally have no hope of a loving, permanent home. In many cases, you will be the first time they have been allowed indoors, or the first time they have had enough to eat. You are their first step to trusting again. A foster family puts the long-term needs of the animal first. The day your foster dog or cat is adopted is a combination of sadness and joy. You may miss them, but you have made the difference between their life and death.

When you decide to foster, you will be responsible for the day-to-day care of the rescue dog placed with you. We will provide food and will be responsible for any necessary medical care. You will be responsible for housing, feeding, administering monthly heartworm and flea preventative, administering any medications, and will be asked to make every attempt at housebreaking, leash training, crate training, and socialization where it is needed. Our animals are placed in foster homes after proper vaccinations (distemper, parvovirus, rabies and bordetella/kennel cough), a heartworm test and a fecal test. We will provide a crate of proper size for your use at night and whenever you are not around to supervise. New rescue dogs never be left alone with your own dogs without supervision. Your new foster needs a safe environment, including a secure fence, no doors left open, etc.

Our job (and yours) is to shape these animals into ones we can successfully place. This takes time and effort. Animals are in foster homes for anywhere from two weeks to a several months. Animals are rarely in rescue for less than two weeks, and an average length of stay is six weeks to two months. Dogs and cats that need a great deal of basic training and socialization, or perhaps have physical disabilities may take longer.

Before you make the decision to foster, ask yourself and all other members of the household, if they are fully committed to the idea.

Do you have pets of your own that would not do well with the addition of a foster animal to the family?
If you have pets of your own, do they get along with other dogs and cats?
Are they spayed and/or neutered?
Are they up to date on all their vaccinations, heartworm tested, and on a monthly preventative?
Are you committed to this and willing to accept the added expense of your time?

Volunteer Opportunities

Our volunteers are the backbone of everything we do! As a volunteer you'll get support and ongoing education, but best of all you'll help animals in need, while developing long-term friendships. Join us in our efforts to help save
the lives of homeless animals!

Rescue Volunteer Tasks

Pick up donations from our store partners and transport to either our Dallas or Plano locations. Pick-ups require same-day or next-day commitment. May occasionally include pick-ups from individuals making donations.

Writing thank you notes to donors for periodic donations as well as major giving events such as North Texas Giving Day, End of year, etc. Usually a 1 week turnaround for completion.

Pick up supplies and take them to fosters, other rescuers, or shelters. This needs to be completed within 1-3 days of request. Supplies are picked up from either Plano or Dallas depending on where they are available.

Pick up dogs and take to foster, vet appointments, mobiles, or meet and greets. Some transport tasks can be pre-scheduled while rescue transports for shelter pulls will likely be same day.

Set-up, handling and playing with dogs, talking to potential adopters and/or volunteers, tear down of set up at the end of the event. During these events we have an opportunity to showcase our dogs and rescue! Mobiles are the third Saturday of each month at the Pet Supplies Plus on Mockingbird in Dallas. Set up usually begins about 10:30 am and tear down at 2:30 pm.

Set, check traps, and transport cats to and from neuter appointments for identified colonies.

Visit homes for potential adopters, either virtually or in-person, and complete the checklist. Things to look for are safety hazards, fences in disrepair, living conditions, etc. These need to be scheduled with the potential adopters within a few days of the request being sent out.

Adoptions are heavily education based so this task includes attending multiple adoptions with an experienced volunteer first to learn the content and get comfortable with the process. The adoption includes a walk-through of the store covering all of the recommended foods, treats, toys, grooming supplies, and more. Then completion of the adoption paperwork, donation and then happy ending photo! An adoption can take from 30-60 minutes and are usually scheduled within a week of the approval.

Some dogs receive a very high volume of interest and therefore need multiple screeners. For this role, we need a volunteer to talk to the foster and learn about the dog and its needs for its forever home. Applications will be forwarded for the screener to review and interview to determine if the applicant could be a good fit for the dog. Applications require timely outreach within 2-3 days.

Contacting veterinarians of potential adopters to confirm current pets have received minimum vetting requirements. These need to be completed within 2-3 days.

Assisting with expanding our number of existing veterinary partners. Includes contact vet offices to determine if they work with rescues, share our practices, and securing a pricing menu. Timeline on this task is flexible.