As is the case with many rescues, before an animal can be adopted or a new foster can start taking in animals, Ruff Start Rescue requires that a home visit be completed. The following information is designed to provide an overview of the home visit process and an understanding of its importance in the placement of animals.
Why do we require home visits?
People often wonder why home visits are required to adopt or foster an animal. The simple answer is that many of the animals come to Ruff Start Rescue from some very unfortunate situations. We want to do our best to make sure that they are going somewhere that is safe and where they will be loved and well cared for.
How does the home visit process work?
After someone submits an application to adopt or foster there are a number of things that happen behind the scenes. One is the home visit request. RSR has several volunteers who are Home Visit Coordinators. When a request for a home visit is submitted, these dedicated volunteers jump into action trying to find someone to complete the home visit. An email is sent out to volunteers asking for someone to complete the home visit. Once a volunteer picks up the request, he or she contacts the family and schedules the virtual home visit. When the home visit is complete, the volunteer fills out a home visit form electronically via Right Signature, and the adopter/foster moves to the next step in the process which hopefully means being approved to take in the animal.
What is it like to do a home visit?
Home visits are simple and only take about 15 minutes to do the actual visit. For your first visit, we will send an intro email that explains what to do along with the home visit form so you know what to look for and what questions to ask. What we are looking for is to verify that it is a safe environment and that what the potential foster or adopter told us on their application is true.
You will virtually walk through the home with the applicant to check out the areas that the animal will have access to. Where will the animal stay most of the time? Are there plans to keep it outdoors? Is there a fence? If so, how high? Is it in good condition, etc.?
Check out the condition of any other animals in the home. Do they look well cared for? How does the family interact with them? How do the animals react? If there are children in the home, are they respectful of the animals? Would you feel comfortable leaving your pet in the care of the family?
After the home visit is complete, there is the home visit form that needs to be filled out and submitted. The Home Visit Coordinator will send this form via email. It only takes about 5 minutes to fill out and submit. When the form is submitted, it is sent to the Application Manager handling the application to review and finalize the foster/adoption process.
Volunteers Needed
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Posted: September 11, 2020 by Kayla Knudsen
Ruff Start Rescue is a foster-based rescue, dedicated to saving the lives of at-risk animals. The Rescue relies enormously on volunteers and is always looking for more help!
Both onsite and remote volunteer positions are available. Please view our current volunteer opportunities listed below, then complete a volunteer application and indicate which position(s) you’re interested in.
Once you submit your application, our volunteer department will reach out and invite you to attend an online volunteer orientation.
Cat Caretaker
We are looking for volunteers to help care for, play with, and maintain the cats and cat rooms. As a Cat Caretaker for Ruff Start Rescue, you will be required to help out 1-2 hours a week at the office located in Princeton, MN. This is a minimum for hours required. The cats are counting on you so you would pick one day per week and stick with a consistent schedule. You will help keep the cat exploration and cat isolation rooms clean by changing bedding, cleaning the litter boxes, as well as doing some spot cleaning. You will also provide food and water, groom the cats, and play with them. Currently we are seeking volunteers for AM (8:30am or 9:00am) & PM (4:00pm or 5:00pm). You would pick one day and stick with that shift on a weekly basis. Weekend help is also needed.
Specific Job Skills and Requirements:
Reports to: Volunteer Manager
Availability: At least 1 day per week. 1-2 hour minimum per week depending on the number of cats occupying each room. Morning or evening shift. Needs to be as consistent as possible but can be flexible if needed at times. If you are unable to make it on your assigned day, please notify the Volunteer Manager as soon as possible. This helps to ensure that the cats receive the proper care in a timely manner.
Cleaning Duties:
Cat Care Duties:
Administrative Duties:
Donation Coordinator
The Donation Coordinator position will assist the leadership team in coordinating volunteers to transport donations via social media and email. The Donation Coordinator will also be responsible for getting information to the social media team to develop recognition posts when appropriate.
Reports to:
Development Director
Responsibilities:
Qualifications/Skill Set:
Time Commitment:
Home Visit
As is the case with many rescues, before an animal can be adopted or a new foster can start taking in animals, Ruff Start Rescue requires that a home visit be completed. The following information is designed to provide an overview of the home visit process and an understanding of its importance in the placement of animals.
Why do we require home visits?
People often wonder why home visits are required to adopt or foster an animal. The simple answer is that many of the animals come to Ruff Start Rescue from some very unfortunate situations. We want to do our best to make sure that they are going somewhere that is safe and where they will be loved and well cared for.
How does the home visit process work?
After someone submits an application to adopt or foster there are a number of things that happen behind the scenes. One is the home visit request. RSR has several volunteers who are Home Visit Coordinators. When a request for a home visit is submitted, these dedicated volunteers jump into action trying to find someone to complete the home visit. An email is sent out to volunteers asking for someone to complete the home visit. Once a volunteer picks up the request, he or she contacts the family and schedules the virtual home visit. When the home visit is complete, the volunteer fills out a home visit form electronically via Right Signature, and the adopter/foster moves to the next step in the process which hopefully means being approved to take in the animal.
What is it like to do a home visit?
Home visits are simple and only take about 15 minutes to do the actual visit. For your first visit, we will send an intro email that explains what to do along with the home visit form so you know what to look for and what questions to ask. What we are looking for is to verify that it is a safe environment and that what the potential foster or adopter told us on their application is true.
You will virtually walk through the home with the applicant to check out the areas that the animal will have access to. Where will the animal stay most of the time? Are there plans to keep it outdoors? Is there a fence? If so, how high? Is it in good condition, etc.?
Check out the condition of any other animals in the home. Do they look well cared for? How does the family interact with them? How do the animals react? If there are children in the home, are they respectful of the animals? Would you feel comfortable leaving your pet in the care of the family?
After the home visit is complete, there is the home visit form that needs to be filled out and submitted. The Home Visit Coordinator will send this form via email. It only takes about 5 minutes to fill out and submit. When the form is submitted, it is sent to the Application Manager handling the application to review and finalize the foster/adoption process.
Receptionist
As a Ruff Start Rescue Receptionist, we are looking for volunteers to help greet and assist fosters, volunteers, and the public as they come to gather supplies or find out how they can help Ruff Start Rescue! Receptionists will be at the front desk Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. As a receptionist for Ruff Start Rescue, you will be required to help out 2 – 4 hours a week between the times of 9am and 5pm at the office located in Princeton, MN. Normal shifts would be 9:00am – 1:00pm or 1:00pm to 5:00pm. This is a minimum for hours required. As an RSR Receptionist, you will pick at least one day per week and stick with a consistent schedule. You will be at the reception desk to greet individuals, provide resources, and answer questions, as well as help with miscellaneous administrative tasks.
Reception Area:
Office Area:
(when doing items, not in the reception area, be sure to listen for door ding)
Transport Room:
(when doing items, not in the reception area, be sure to listen for door ding)
Miscellaneous:
(when doing items, not in the reception area, be sure to listen for door ding)
* high priority items
Transport Coordinator
The Transport Coordinator position is a critical internal role, this role will be connecting Ruff Start Rescue transport needs with Ruff Start Rescue Transport Volunteers. The Transport Coordinator is responsible for sending out a bulk email to volunteers willing to help with transporting and also posting a Facebook Post if necessary regarding transport needs. This position will require access to the internet and the availability to be able to check emails multiple times throughout the day and evening. All transportation requests need to be sent out within 24 – 48 hours of the email request.
Specific job skills and requirements:
Availability:
The time required for this position could be anywhere from 5-10 hours a week.
Detailed Description:
The Transportation Coordinator will work closely with the Foster Managers and Impound Intake Coordinators to get transportation requests done in a timely and efficient manner. As a Transport Coordinator, you must have excellent communication skills as you will be the person of contact between the transport volunteer and the one who needs their animal(s) transported.
As a Transportation Coordinator, you will be responsible for updating the Transportation Request database with the Ruff Start volunteer that accepts the transport request. The Transport Coordinator will also learn about the RSR mapping system, this will help to see what volunteers are closest to the area that requires the transportation and how to use Rescue Groups to find the necessary information to send out to the volunteer.
The Transportation Coordinator will have to be familiar with Facebook and how to post on the volunteer page, this will only happen if there is no response from the bulk email in 24hrs. When posting on the Facebook page, the Transport Coordinator will be responsible for keeping track of the Facebook post and email the Foster Manager/Impound Intake Coordinator, the foster, and the volunteer that responded to make sure everyone is aware of the status.
Category: Volunteering