Why volunteer with our Pack?
When you volunteer with us, you become a part of our Muddy Paws Pack — a wonderful community committed to helping rescue dogs find loving homes.
You will meet enthusiastic people from all walks of life, make new friends and experience the fulfillment from helping dogs in need as part of a team.
No matter how big or small your volunteer efforts, you will help make a real difference in the lives of countless dogs and families.
Volunteer Opportunities
We always welcome new dog-loving volunteers who embody our core values of being positive, welcoming, responsive, and supportive. Our volunteer openings are for event, remote and behind-the-scenes roles.
Volunteer Driver
Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to help us transport dogs and supplies to various locations throughout the city to events, foster homes, and various other locations throughout the Tri-state area.
Marketing
Our Marketing Team works on various fundraising initiatives, copywriting, produce content, run social ads, email marketing, and manages our public relations.
Adoption Event Volunteer
As an Adoption Event Volunteer, you will spread the word about our lifesaving work and help us send our dogs to their perfect forever homes.
Design & Video
Graphic Designers and Videographers produce internal and external materials in line with our branding, help to elevate our lifesaving projects and develop new resources for our programs.
Information Technology
Our Tech Team assists with various technological projects and continue to develop our website and other resources to streamline our processes for our Adoptions & Foster Program.
Fundraising
Our Development Team assists our Development Director with various fundraising initiatives, data entry, and donor management.
Currently Seeking
+ Pack HQ Captain
HQ Captains will be responsible for representing Muddy Paws Rescue as our lead personnel on site at Pack HQ. HQ Captains will assist in the operation of Pack HQ with tasks including maintaining the inventory and preparation of foster supplies and overseeing the reception area answering questions from the public. For additional information on specific responsibilities, email volunteers@muddypawsrescue.org
Time Commitment: 1-2 days per week for a 3-6 month period
Minimum Commitment: 3-4 HQ shifts per month
Availability: Tuesday through Friday between the hours of 9am-5pm
Shifts: 4 hour, 6 hour, or 8 hour shifts
Report To: Volunteer Program Manager (volunteers@muddypawsrescue.org)
Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Basic knowledge of Muddy Paws Rescue Adoption, Foster, and Volunteer programs
- Ability to work independently and communicate effectively
- Strong attention to detail
- Must love dogs!
+ Volunteer Dog Transport Drivers
Our dogs need help getting from their shelter of origin to their new foster home, vet appointments, training sessions, or adoption events. The Volunteer Dog Transport Driver position is perfect for any dog-loving human in/near the five boroughs with access to their own vehicle who wants to donate a little of their time and driving skills to make a tremendous difference in animal welfare.
Time Commitment: 1-5 hours per week
Reports To: Volunteer Program Manager
Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Access to own vehicle.
- Has a valid driver's license.
- Proof of annual inspection, registration, and insurance policy as needed.
- Maintain regular vehicle maintenance to ensure the safety of yourself and the dogs.
- Must love dogs!
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure each dog travels comfortably and safely and arrives on time to its destination.
- Maintain communication with MPR staff and foster parents for assigned trips.
- When representing MPR, volunteers are asked to embody our core values of being positive, welcoming, responsive, and supportive.
- Submit availability weekly to MPR staff.
Local Rides:
- Transport a dog from our partner shelters in NYC to their new foster home.
- Transport a dog from their foster home to their vet appointment.
- Transport a dog to a weekend adoption event or weekday adoption meeting.
Long Distance Rides:
- Transport a dog to our partner trainers in the Tri-state area.
- Meet our transport crew in New Jersey or Pennsylvania to welcome our incoming dogs and help transport them to our new Hell's Kitchen headquarters.
Register to Volunteer
Looking to volunteer remotely as one of our “specialized skills” volunteers?
If you have a special skill that you think would benefit MPR, contact us directly!
Looking to volunteer in-person at adoption events and special events?
Completing our Volunteer Registration form is the first step to becoming a volunteer with Muddy Paws! Keep an eye on your email for further instructions on completing the process.
We receive a high volume of volunteer interest, so please be patient with us as we work to onboard new volunteers in the order in which they signed up.
Volunteers in Action
Volunteer FAQs
+ Is there a minimum age for volunteering?
All volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
+ Do volunteers need to have previous volunteer experience or dog handling skills?
Having previous experience and dog handling skills are certainly a plus, but not required. In fact, most of our volunteer roles do not directly involve dog handling, so a general enthusiasm for rescue, willingness to learn, and excitement to talk about our work are just as valuable!
+ Can a group of my friends or colleagues volunteer together?
We are generally unable to accommodate group volunteering due to our staffing and training needs. You can absolutely feel free to apply with a friend or partner and sign up for the same shifts, but we are unfortunately unable to reserve spots for group volunteering purposes. Check out our Corporate Partnerships Deck for opportunities with your company.
+ Where are you located?
We are a foster-based rescue, which means that we do not have a physical shelter and all of our dogs stay in loving, temporary homes until they are adopted. Our weekend adoption events are generally held in Manhattan, with occasional events in other boroughs. Our Pack HQ - our main hub of operations - is located in Hell's Kitchen.
+ Can you provide letters for community service hours?
If you need proof of volunteering with a 501(c)3 organization, we will happily provide this letter once your hours are complete. However, we're unable to expedite the completion of these hours.
Have a question that you don’t see listed here? Contact us!
Not sure if VOLUNTEERING is right for you? Consider other ways tO GET INVOLVED.
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