Opportunities From: HandsOn Twin Cities

The Adoption Coordinator plays an important role in the adoption finalization process. This is a remote opportunity that relies heavily on the use of email, software and spreadsheets. The PetSmart Adoption Coordinator transfers paper applications into our software system, finalizesalizes adoptions in our rescue software, and sends out vetting records from our vetting software system.

Adoption Center Cat Caretakers help provide care for the cats staying at one of the Petsmart locations that Ruff Start partners with. Cat Caretakers feed the cats, clean their litter boxes, change their bedding, spot clean their kennels, and brush and play with the cats.  The number of cats at the location varies, depending on the number of kennels we have and how many are full.

Adoption Center Cat Caretakers help provide care for the cats staying at one of the Petsmart locations that Ruff Start partners with. Cat Caretakers feed the cats, clean their litter boxes, change their bedding, spot clean their kennels, and brush and play with the cats.  The number of cats at the location varies, depending on the number of kennels we have and how many are full.

Ruff Start Rescue hosts a large online auction at the end of November annually. After the bidding is complete, we need help prepping items to go to the winner! Tasks include: 

Packaging up auction items to be shipped. 

Being on location to help with items being picked up in Princeton, MN 

Tracking what is picked up 

Shifts are at the office in Princeton, MN. They are on 12/2 to 12/4 10-12 and 1-3 pm.

Online Auction Prep Assistants help with recording donations that come in for the auction, researching prices of items, putting together fun themed baskets, creating descriptions for auction items, getting pictures of the items or baskets, and helping to input this information into the auction website we use. 

Shifts are at the office in Princeton, MN. They are on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-12 and 1-3 pm through October.

We have an exciting new opportunity at Ruff Start Rescue for young professionals! We are thrilled to introduce the Young Professionals Board to our robust list of involvement opportunities!

This dynamic group of Minnesota changemakers will be an ambitious and fun community of up-and-coming young professionals who engage in networking, socializing, volunteering, and fundraising to expand RSR's mission and reach. Ruff Start's Young Professionals Board will assist with outreach and fundraising efforts throughout a one-year term while learning about and advocating for our community's people and pets.

If you or a young professional you know wants to get involved in the RSR community, expand professional networks, and develop leadership potential, this is the opportunity for you! Please share with your family, friends, and professional networks.

This is a one-year year commitment. 

Check out the website to learn more: Young Professionals Board - Ruff Start Rescue

Videographer volunteers help the RSR communications team by taking videos of adoptable RSR animals for promotional use and may also help by recording video at large-scale events. Previous work with animals is a plus but is not required. We are able to provide some lighting, stand, and background equipment - but not a camera. Time commitment is based on project commitments. This can happen at different locations,cations; our office in Princeton, events throughout the state, etc.

As a vetting transport lead, you will be responsible for attending animal transports (typically dogs) at the office in Princeton. At the transport, you will be responsible for ensuring that the animals coming into the rescue are examined, perform any needed services, and the proper documentation is recorded.  This may include vaccines, microchipping, heartworm tests, nail trims, deworming, application of flea/tick preventative, administering heartworm medication, or other treatments as indicated. Professional experience is required for this role.

You will also be responsible for answering any questions that the fosters may have regarding the animal's future vetting needs, meds or any vetting issues addressed during the intake process.  Also, describe how to administer medications, etc., at home if sending with the foster to administer.

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer - Ruff Start Rescue.

As a vetting transport helper, you will be responsible for attending animal transports (typically dogs) located at the office in Princeton. These typically happen on Saturdays. Professional experience is required for this role.

At the transport, you will be responsible for ensuring that the animals coming into the rescue are examined, perform any needed services, and the proper documentation is recorded. This may include vaccines, microchipping, heartworm tests, nail trims, deworming, flea/tick preventative application, administering heartworm medication, or other treatments as indicated. The role of the vetting transport helper will provide support for the Vetting Transport Lead in all the indicated tasks.

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer – Ruff Start Rescue. 

The Transport Coordinator position’s primary responsibility is connecting Ruff Start Rescue in-state transport needs with Ruff Start Rescue transport volunteers. The majority of these needs are foster animals that need a ride to or from vetting appointments. The Transport Coordinator is responsible for sending out a mass email to volunteers willing to help with transporting and also posting to our closed Facebook group for volunteers if necessary regarding transport needs.

Photographer volunteers help the RSR communications team by taking photos of adoptable RSR animals during photoshoots at transports. These shifts are on Saturdays at the Rescue in Princeton, MN. There is no minimum commitment.

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer - Ruff Start Rescue.

Ruff Start Rescue Office Assistants help with various tasks at the Ruff Start Rescue office. This position more specifically helps in the transport room. Tasks for this position will include recording donated supplies, sorting and putting away donated supplies, bringing materials from the storage unit to
the transport room to restock as needed, maintaining a clean space in the transport room, and assisting with other specialty projects as you are able. The amount and type of tasks needed around the office can vary from day to day.

Shifts are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of 10-4:00. Shifts are 2 hours each.

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer - Ruff Start Rescue

Ruff Start Rescue Office Assistants help with various tasks at the Ruff Start Rescue office, such as filing documents, general organizing, receiving deliveries, recording donations, greeting visitors at the office, and other ad hoc tasks as needed. The amount and type of tasks needed around the office can vary from day to day.

Shifts are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of 10-4:00. Shifts are 2 hours each.

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer - Ruff Start Rescue

Transport Drivers are individuals who help give rides to our foster animals. These rides are most often from the foster homes to the Ruff Start office in Princeton (or back) on surgery days, but can also be to partner vet clinics or to pick up a new intake or deliver an animal to a foster or adoptive home. These volunteers will use their own vehicle to transport animals in crates. When a request for a ride is submitted, our Transport Coordinators will send out an email to volunteers asking for someone to help with the ride. Once a volunteer steps up, the Transport Coordinator will send an email connecting the Transport Driver and the foster, who then coordinate a drop off/pick up time and location.

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer – Ruff Start Rescue. 

Ruff Start Rescue received many donations of animal supplies, even on a daily basis. The In-Kind Donation Recorder is responsible for accurately recording all in-kind donations into our tracking spreadsheet. This role ensures that every donation is documented for internal records, reporting, and donor acknowledgment. If you’re detail-oriented, comfortable with spreadsheets, and want to support animal rescue in a behind-the-scenes way, this is the role for you!

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer – Ruff Start Rescue. 

Office Transport Volunteers are responsible for helping the transport lead to ensure a smooth transport of dogs coming from TX. You are required to be at the transport you volunteer for to help set up, tear down, ensure dogs go through vetting/pictures, are fitted for collars/harnesses and welcome new fosters and FTAs. You are working together with other volunteers and leads to make sure all the dogs are handled appropriately. You are representing Ruff Start Rescue and we expect you will be approachable, professional and helpful.

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer – Ruff Start Rescue. 

The Intake Assistant is an administrative position responsible for supporting the intake team by replying to emails, returning voicemails, and assisting with other tasks the intake department may need help with. This role is designed to help with “traffic control” for the intake department (impound, owner surrender, reservation, stray, out of state, etc.). As people reach out to the rescue, you will assess the information and pass it along to the appropriate team within intake if needed. Most responses will include sharing resources and information using provided email templates to help guide people needing assistance with their animals.

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer – Ruff Start Rescue. 

Event volunteers are an important part of our events team! RSR has events nearly every week that rely on volunteers to make them successful. Responsibilities may include: talking to the public about RSR and answering questions about volunteer opportunities and fostering, setting up an information table with marketing materials, selling merchandise, and running our fundraising ‘prize wheel’ where guests make a donation to spin the wheel and win a prize.

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer - Ruff Start Rescue.

We are looking for volunteers with passion for education to assist and/or lead education programs throughout the state. We are especially interested in expanding programming to the metro area. All materials will be provided for education programs - we have laptops to borrow, PowerPoint slides, activity kits (if needed), and handouts about our programs. Many of these programs are during the day to accommodate schools' schedules.

Cat Snugglers help provide companionship for the cats staying at the Ruff Start Rescue office in Princeton. Spending time with the office cats helps with socializing them and decreases their stress.  The number of cats at the office varies, often ranging from just a few to upwards of 10.

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer - Ruff Start Rescue.

Cat Caretakers help provide care for the cats staying at the Ruff Start Rescue office in Princeton. Cat Caretakers feed the cats, clean their litter boxes, change their bedding, spot clean their rooms/condos, and brush and play with the cats.  The number of cats at the office varies, often ranging from just a few to upwards of 10 or so.

We are specifically looking for someone to fill the Sunday Evening role (~3-5pm) and to add to the backup list!

Apply to volunteer at Volunteer – Ruff Start Rescue. 

Interested in Becoming a Foster?

Foster care is the most important part of Ruff Start Rescue. The animals depend on qualified people to join our team. RSR is looking for fosters to open their hearts and homes to animals in need and care for them until they are adopted. An RSR fosters responsibility is to love, feed, play and exercise, and provide social interaction for the foster animal. You are also required to take the animal to vet appointments and handle any medical tasks such as giving daily medications. It will always involve treating the animal as if it were your own. It’s easy to get started! The first step is to fill out and submit a foster application at: https://ruffstartrescue.org/get-involved/foster/ After RSR receives and reviews your application a home visit will be scheduled so you can meet someone from the rescue and discuss your questions and concerns about fostering an RSR animal. If everything goes well you will be able to begin your new role as an RSR foster.  

All Ruff Start Rescue Fosters MUST:

**There are always animals that need a loving foster home and we will work with you to determine the ones that will best fit with your lifestyle. **

Questions about becoming a foster?  Feel free to email us at:  foster@ruffstartrescue.org