Become a Volunteer

About Castle of Dreams

Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue, (CODAR) truly makes dreams come true for all animals rescued through our organization. CODAR is an all-breed canine-only animal rescue organization that was incorporated in June of 2003 in the state of New Jersey. We rescue dogs and puppies from high kill shelters and place them in temporary foster homes until a permanent home is found. We are recognized as a charitable organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

In June of 2019, we purchased our facility located at 434 Cliffwood Ave. Cliffwood, NJ 07721. Our shelter facility contains a 1200 sq ft office with a three-bedroom attached home where our rescue pets are housed until adoption. CODAR wanted the type of shelter where we can continue with our mission of placing dogs in a home environment where they can thrive until their family finds them. Our large park-like yard is where our rescue dogs socialize and learn basic training. The organization is 100% volunteer-based. CODAR relies on donations from the general public to operate. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. All donations directly benefit our rescued dogs and are used specifically for the purpose intended.

Why Volunteer With Castle of Dreams?

Does rescuing canines from high-kill shelters ever get easier? Knowing there are so many that need you but only a few you can save? We can not possibly save them all, but we can try our best to save the ones we can. That’s all we can do. We can try to end the animal overpopulation by educating people on the importance of altering their pets. Of course, puppies are cute, but what happens to those cute puppies they can not find a home for? They don’t make it out of the shelter. That is the sad truth.

That is why the Castle is the place to be if you want to get involved, want to make a difference, want to save a life! Just walk down the aisles of any animal shelter and you will see for yourself the hope in their eyes, the fear, the anxiety, the love they yearn to give, and to receive. They are the voiceless, the ones who depend on organizations like ours to help them make a dream come true by finding them a family. One day at a time, we save the ones we can. With your help, we can continue our mission. You can make a difference. Please join us!

FOSTERING

Foster homes provide a safe, warm, loving home to a dog or puppy in need until a forever home is found.

Fostering Saves Lives! By taking a foster dog into your home, you actually save TWO lives: the life of your foster dog and the life of the dog who takes their place in the shelter.

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteers are an integral part of our rescue. They provide indispensable service at events and adoption days, as well as with fundraising, fostering, transports, and administrative duties.

Even if you are unable to foster, you can still volunteer! We also have one of the most robust volunteer programs for junior volunteers ages 10 through 18.

Volunteering

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We value the dedication and time our volunteers give to our programs. While we understand that everyone who offers to volunteer with CODAR has limited time to dedicate, we do require that active volunteers contribute to a minimum of 3 events per year. Events can include but are not limited to fundraising, fostering, facility assistance, donating, or transporting dogs.

Fostering

A foster family cares for our rescue dogs in their home until the dog is adopted. The foster family is one of the most important roles for CODAR, as without fosters, we would not be able to rescue the number of dogs we do. The more foster families we have, the more dogs we can rescue from high-kill shelters. CODAR covers all of the expenses and supplies for the dog while with their foster family. The foster family cares for the dog until adoption, which may be anywhere from two weeks to two months. It is hard to give up a foster dog once you care for him/her, however, you are saving lives by adopting to a loving family, and you get to do it all over again with your next foster! It does get easier and is super rewarding, especially when you see happy ending photos of your foster with their new family.

Facility Volunteers

CODAR has a facility to keep our dogs in the event a foster home is not available. Facility Volunteers are needed to clean the offices, answer phones, greet visitors, accept supply donations, help with care of the dogs, organize, return phone calls, verify references for potential applicants, and lots more! Facility volunteers are needed both on weekdays and weekends. Some tasks may also be performed remotely.

Fundraising

Fundraising Volunteers

In addition to relying on donations from the general public in order to operate, CODAR holds several fundraising events per year. Volunteers are needed to plan events, facilitate events, solicit donations, attend events, coordinate volunteers, maintain records, ensure raffle licenses are obtained where applicable and prepare raffle prizes such as wrapping gift baskets, organizing prize levels, preparing for the event, arranging ticket sales and press releases, and lots more!

Transportation

Transportation Volunteers

CODAR often needs volunteers to transport dogs and puppies to and from veterinary appointments, to a new foster home, or to pick up from an arriving transport. Volunteers will use their own vehicle when volunteering to be a transporter. CODAR will supply all crates and supplies for the transport.

Groundskeeper

Groundskeeper Volunteers

CODAR has a facility where we often need help with maintaining the outside grounds, such as lawn cutting, Snow removal, gardening, painting, handywork, etc. These volunteer opportunities are seasonal, and tasks vary depending on projects/events.

Junior Volunteers

Junior Volunteer Program

CODAR has one of the most robust volunteer programs for junior volunteers ages 10 through 18. Junior volunteers host fundraising events to benefit the organization and volunteer hours at our Facility, participating in various tasks where they earn community service hours while also gaining life experience in basic office tasks, cleaning, gardening, supply organization, pet grooming, care and maintenance, and lots more!

Become a Volunteer!

Become a Junior Volunteer!

Testimonials

“Volunteering for CODAR is among one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences. Watching the puppies grow and develop before sending them off to their forever homes, and knowing that you played a part in this brings about so much happiness and contentment. I, myself, am a high school student and I have been volunteering with CODAR for a year now. Any one can volunteer, and everyone should!”
Sneha S.Junior Volunteer
“Now I understand exactly why people volunteer & foster. The joy I felt watching the connection between this lovely couple & this pup was so rewarding. Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of this fabulous group of people!”
Darlane R.Foster Volunteer
“I like to be a junior volunteer for CODAR because it is a great organization. I love helping the lives of others and like animals a lot. It makes me feel good when animals are adopted into a loving home.”
Spencer D.Junior Volunteer
“My Mom and I have been with CODAR for 11 years. I began fostering when I was in kindergarten. I want every unloved or abused dog to find the perfect heartfelt home and that’s what CODAR does. Hearing so many devastating stores of how people abuse and neglect their dogs – that’s what motivates me. AND who doesn’t like to play with puppies and help them find their forever home?”
StevieJunior Volunteer
“I love volunteering with CODAR!!!!

Everyone in the group is here for the same reason, to help!!! And that is what we do!!! I never meet so many nice people willing to help at the drop of a dime. Any day, any time. The joy you get after placing a dog in its forever home is priceless!!!

The love you get from these dogs are amazing. It makes you want to do more and more every day. Once you meet CODAR, how could you not want to help in any way you could?”
Linda M.Foster Volunteer