VOLUNTEER WITH US
BE THE DIFFERENCE
Volunteers are people like you that donate their time to help us out. It is a remarkable way to make a tangible difference in the lives of animals in need. We are in need of volunteers to assist with events, pet transport, and the general needs of the organization to ensure we are running smoothly and efficiently. As a nonprofit, we heavily rely on fundraisers run by volunteers to keep us up and running, and adoption events to make space to save more deserving lives. We can never have too many volunteers, we can always use the help!
CHOOSE HOW TO VOLUNTEER
Not only is volunteering fun, but it also positively impacts homeless animals in need. Our volunteer program fosters an inclusive and kind community of motivated individuals ready to help us save lives. It is also a great way to gain experience in the animal field and receive volunteer hours in a fun, hands-on way!
We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities that allow individuals to be involved based on their skills and interests. Our general volunteer opportunities are:
Our foster families provide individual care, love, and shelter to our animals waiting to be adopted.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
These take place at a variety of places such as stores, restaurants, farmer's markets, etc. We fundraise in numerous ways such as photo shoots, trivia nights, bake sales, and more.
PET TRANSPORT
Help us transport our dogs and cats from Point A to Point B by driving them to and from foster homes, events, vet appointments, etc.
MEET AND GREET EVENTS
We bring our adoptable dogs and cats to different stores and venues to interact with the public and potentially find an adopter.
INFORMATIONAL EVENTS
We are always recruiting new fosters and volunteers and networking. These events help the public learn about us and how they can get involved.
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
Do you have skills in many different fields? Are you unable to volunteer in person but can dedicate time remotely? We are sure to have work that fits you!
PROCESS
1. Complete and submit our online volunteer application.
2. Your application will be processed in the order received and screened.
3. Our team may contact you for a phone interview and proceed to do reference calls.
4. If you are a good fit, you will sign our Volunteer Agreements, and if need be, complete online certification courses. Thank you for joining the High Tails family!
REQUIREMENTS
To be considered to volunteer, all volunteers must:
*Be 18+ years old
*Have a valid ID with name and current address
*Complete and submit our volunteer application
*Agree to a phone interview and have references called
*Sign our Volunteer Agreement
*To be hands-on with animals, online courses must be completed
*Have personal means of transportation
Additional requirements can be found on the application.
WAYS TO HELP FROM HOME
SHARE
Sharing helps spread the word when we are in times of need and helps us connect with more supporters. Follow us on our social media pages to share our posts, events, pleas, fundraisers, and more.
DONATE
No donation is ever too big or too small. From supply donations to monetary, everything makes a difference. Ways to donate are easy, accessible, and allow us to continue fulfilling our mission.
PLEDGE
Pledging is promising to donate a certain amount to us for a particular animal we save. This is often done by commenting on posts or messaging us online regarding your commitment to donate and how much.
-
Where are foster families primarily located?Our fosters are, at most, one hour away from our partner vets.
-
How long would I foster for?We aim to have committed fosters that can house an animal until adoption (no matter the length of time) or per the specific needs of the individual animal. Since we are foster-based, we rely on families to house animals as we do not have a physical shelter. The amount of total animals fostered is up to the foster family to decide, there is no minimum requirement.
-
How does my foster animal receive veterinary care?We will coordinate veterinarian appointments with you for your foster animal. We ask all foster families to provide transportation of their foster animal to appointments with our partner vets. We always try to schedule vet appointments with a partner vet closest to your home. Please note, however, that veterinary care and the number of trips to the vet can vary depending on the individual needs of the animal. The standard care all our dogs and cats receive are: age-appropriate and state-required vaccines, spay/neuter, microchip, FIV/FeLV or Heartworm test, dewormer, flea and tick prevention, and a wellness exam.
-
What type of dog or cat do you have available for foster?We are not a breed or age-specific rescue, therefore, the specific type of animal available to foster varies. Please note we can only intake a dog or cat into the rescue if we have an available foster home, so we are always in need of fosters! The general animals available to foster are: kittens, puppies, adult cats, adult dogs, senior cats, senior dogs, special needs cats (FIV+), and special needs dogs.
-
When do foster animals get adopted?We cannot guarantee when a foster animal will get adopted. We post our animals on social media and adoptable pet platforms, and we host meet and greet events so our animals can get adopted as quickly and efficiently as possible. We encourage foster families to share their fosters online as well.
-
I never fostered before, can I still foster?Yes, we welcome both first-time and experienced fosters! Our team works with all our fosters to ensure they thoroughly understand what fostering entails and we provide support throughout the entire process. We also have Feline and Canine Foster Handbooks and additional handouts that outline foster expectations as well as helpful tips, tricks, and general pet care information that our foster families are given so they always have a reliable resource on hand.
-
Can I adopt my foster?We are more than happy to discuss adoption with our foster families if they are interested in adopting their foster.
-
How do I ensure my foster will get along with my personal pets and adjust well to living in my home?We take safety seriously and we work diligently to ensure resident pet's and foster animals get along. Introductions are handled on a case-by-case basis and our team of professionals will work with each foster family individually on how to safely introduce a personal pet to a foster animal, and how to integrate their foster animal into the home. We may request to meet and evaluate your personal pet as part of the screening process (this typically occurs for dogs). Some families choose to not fully integrate their foster animal into their home and instead have a designated foster room. Usually this occurs for cats, and that is okay as well.
-
Can I apply to foster with the intention to adopt?A “foster-to-adopt” is when a family has the intention of adopting their foster animal but is fostering until the pet is ready to be adopted. Foster-to-adopt's primarily occur when an animal, specifically kittens and puppies, are not fully vetted yet but can be transitioned from the foster home to their new adoptive home. Since we do not have a physical shelter to house animals, we rely on foster families to help us rescue dogs and cats. We welcome individuals to apply to foster with us with the intention to adopt.
-
If you are foster-based, how do I receive supplies and how much will I get?We will either coordinate supply pick ups/drop offs and or ship supplies to your home. Foster kits and supply assistance can vary depending on the individual needs of the foster family, the foster animal, and the amount of donations the rescue receives. We always provide foster families with free supplies.