How do I become a Volunteer?

Becoming a volunteer for a rescue group can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. It can also turn into a nightmare if you are not properly prepared.

The first step is to find a rescue organization near you who's policies you agree with and one you have checked into fully and completely. Then you should inquire with either an officer or the person in charge of volunteerism with the rescue. They should be able to provide you with a volunteer application which will generally go over the process of becoming a volunteer and in which areas volunteer help is needed.

There are usually a number of ways in which you can volunteer for a rescue group, including helping in the care and maintenance of the horses themselves, providing "foster homes" for any horses the rescue has in it's possession and doing follow-up checks on any horses the rescue has adopted out. Volunteering can be as simple as helping sort through paperwork, answering emails or letters and assisting in keeping the website updated, or as involved as accompanying rescue officers and members to an auction, bidding on horses for the rescue, accepting horses for rehabilitation and giving lectures or clinics for the rescue as a fundraiser. Think of areas where you have special talents or abilities and offer those to the rescue.

Something to remember: Not all rescues are run by experienced horse people. Likewise, not all volunteers are experienced horse people. There are a wide variety of people who love horses and who want to help them, but the best advice is to find out what level of experience and what kind of experience those officers in chrage of the rescue have with horses themselves. Any officers or members should be glad to provide you with information and documentation of their experience in the equine field, if any. If they become upset with you for asking questions, this probably is not the group for you. Of course, if officers or members of the rescue ask *you* questions about *your* abilities and experience with horses, don't become defensive. They need to know how much you know and how long you have been around horses. Usually, it's not a pre-requisite to have equine experience to volunteer, however, the rescue MUST know if you have limited or no experience in the horse world so you can be trained and placed accordingly.

Please visit our Volunteer Training page.

 

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