Volunteer
Will you help Saving Grace continue to rescue, care for and adopt out deserving dogs?
We need you!
As a volunteer-powered non-profit organization, Saving Grace would simply not exist without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. The number of dogs we can save is a direct correlation to the number of people we have helping us. We are always looking for new volunteers to welcome into the Saving Grace family and we have a need for every type of talent!
What is the process to become a volunteer?
- Learn more about each of the opportunities below.
- If one of the roles looks interesting, fill our the volunteer form.
- Once you’ve filled out the application, we’ll send you a link to sign up for the volunteer orientation.
- Attend a mentoring session. For those doing shift work at Saving Grace, this is an important part of your orientation.
- Sign up for shifts/tasks.
- Keep coming back!
Volunteers help checkout dogs for sleepovers.
Shift Work
Every-day care of the pack at the farm is critical for ensuring the well-being of the dogs. Shifts are daily from 9-1 pm and 5-8 pm. This a great way to spend time with the dogs, meet new friends and be part of an amazing team!
Here are the three main areas for shifts:
- Dog Care – Volunteers work in teams twice per day handling the daily care of our dogs. Responsibilities include feeding, cleaning, and rotating dogs for outside time. Some lifting required.
- Meds – Work during shift hours to administer medications to dogs in our care. This job is perfect for someone who is part Perfectionist and part Magician. Hot dogs are a wonderful means to get a pill in a dog!
- Dishwashing/Poop scooping – Great tasks for people that want to join the team but may not be comfortable with all of the shift responsibilities. This is a great way to engage with the dogs while they’re playing outside and maybe even sneak in a snuggle.
Other volunteer opportunities
Spay/Neuter Clinic
Many of the dogs that come to Saving Grace need medical attention. There’s lots to do at the clinic – including cleaning surgical laundry, walking and moving dogs to and from the clinic and helping out as a clinical assistant.
Adoption
Each week, we have many adoption appointments. Consider becoming a Greeter or Counselor to help adopters find the right match!
Transportation
We bring in dogs from shelters throughout North Carolina. We need help transporting dogs and getting them unloaded and settled once they arrive at Saving Grace.
Medical Support
Many of the dogs that come to Saving Grace need medical attention. We have many ways to support their needs – you’ll get to work with the dogs and help them get healthy.
Web and Social Media
In addition to a website, Saving Grace maintains a robust social media presence including a Facebook page and a YouTube channel. Volunteers keep it all up to date with current stories and engaging our community for support.
Photography
When a dog comes to Saving Grace, they need to post for their profile picture. Our photographers need help capturing that photo that will melt someone’s heart. Hands on dog handling required.
What happens next?
Fill out the volunteer application
Let us know you are interested in volunteering.
Attend Volunteer Orientation
Check our calendar for available dates once you hear from us that your application has been approved.
Attend Mentoring Session
If you’re working on the farm, we’ll ask you to come on out and spend 4 fours with a mentor.
Sign up for shifts and tasks
You’ll get access to our Volunteer Management System where you can sign up and get to work!
FAQs About Volunteering
+
Yes, the animals need care every day! We work and need volunteer help every day of the year, even major holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving, etc) and even in inclement weather (rain, snow/ice or heat).
Adoptions and other areas like the clinic may be closed, volunteers are needed 365 days a year.Â
+
Yes, you will still need to go through orientation and mentoring, as they will teach you where supplies are kept and dog safety.
+
The Saving Grace program is a combination of foster homes and an adoption facility located at a private residence. In order to focus on adoptions, adoption appointments are scheduled by appointment during hours when adoption counselors are available.
To best care for the dogs, trained volunteers are scheduled ahead of time to ensure the dogs and other volunteers will receive the care and support they need. Multiple orientations are offered each month and we welcome anyone to sign up for these orientations to receive an overview of volunteer opportunities and have a tour.
Saving Grace hosts open houses throughout the year to welcome our community. At this time, there are volunteers available to answer questions about volunteering and provide more information as needed.
+
Volunteers need to be 18 years or older to participate in shift and most on-site activities. If our younger generations want to participate in Saving Grace activities, we recommend they lead donation initiatives and supply drives for us or organize group volunteer events overseen by adult leaders.
+
Saving Grace is always looking for volunteers with any level of experience if they love dogs and are willing to work hard and be part of a team! You will have training and mentorship when you first come on board and the SG Community will support you as you learn how the program runs. Once you complete mentorship, lots of other volunteer opportunities become available including other tasks off site that are necessary to the program (such as events, administrative tasks, etc.).
+
Yes, everyone must attend the mentoring session, no matter what type of volunteering you will be doing,Â
The mentor session will go over where supplies are kept, dog safety/handling, and give you a better understanding of our mission and rescue organization.
You won’t be bored…it’s a fascinating peek into who we are, what we do, and why!
+
Yes, proof of current tetanus is required by all volunteers, as we have crates, fencing, etc that can be a hazard if cut on.
+
Yes, we have limited dates for group/corporate team building days. This is a very popular program and our dates fill up quickly each year. All groups selected commit to a $1,000 donation toward the medical needs of our dogs. We require 6-10 people for 4 hours for each team building date. The tasks typically include deep cleaning, grounds maintenance, power washing and painting. Email savinggrace@savinggracenc.org if you are interested.
+
While we appreciate those that would like to use Saving Grace as their place to complete required service hours, we are really looking for more long term committed volunteers since training and mentorship is required.
+
After completing the required mentoring, there are many areas of opportunity to help the rescue run. You can sign up for transportation, laundry, spa\neuter clinic help, adoptions, host weekend, photos, bio writing, grant writing, events, and various administration duties.
+
Let’s be honest – there’s gonna be poop.
Daily care includes tasks such as cleaning crates, feeding, scooping poop, and doing dishes.
We recommend our volunteers wear work boots, bring a change of clothes to go home in, and understand that it can be noisy, messy, and smelly.
If this doesn’t suit you, there are plenty of other opportunities to volunteer (that don’t involve so much physical effort) once you complete your orientation.
+
Saving Grace is fully manned by volunteers and the animals daily care depends on the consistency and regularity of our volunteer community. Saving Grace is committed to their training and mentorship to ensure that the animals are well taken care of each day. So we look for volunteers interested in a long-term commitment for consistency and efficiency.
+
While there is plenty of opportunity to love on and provide affection to our animals, tasks and chores need to be completed during the shift hours. Dogs are split into play groups and while out for their exercise time, often need supervision. There are balls and toys available and occasionally dogs are on exercise restriction and need a leash walk. There are also other opportunities, such as the transportation or intake teams where you can have opportunities to engage with our residents.