Volunteering Opportunities at the Castle!
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 are able to 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.
Dog/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 the care of the dogs, organize, returning phone calls, verifying references for potential applicants and lots more! We often need help with maintaining the outside grounds such as lawn cutting, snow removal, gardening, painting, handywork, etc. Facility volunteers are needed both on weekdays and weekends. Some tasks may also be performed remotely.
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!
Grant Writing – Grant Writers research, draft and submit proposals and grant applications that help our organization receive grant funding.
Junior Volunteer Program – CODAR has one of the most robust volunteer program 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 gain life experience in basic office tasks, cleaning, gardening, supply organization, pet grooming, care, and maintenance, and lots more!