VOLUNEER

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VOLUNTEER WITH US!

Every dog deserves a second chance at happiness, and you can be the one to help make that happen. At Fluffy Dog Rescue, we've been transforming lives—both canine and human—since 2005.

Based in Hartland, Wisconsin, our passionate volunteer-run organization has rescued thousands of dogs, giving them the love and care they need while searching for their perfect forever families.

Whether you have an hour a week or several hours a month, your contribution matters. From gentle hands that comfort a scared pup to strong backs that keep our facility running, every volunteer plays a vital role in our mission. Join our compassionate community and discover how rewarding it feels to be part of a dog's journey from rescue to home.

Our dedicated rescue team at Fluffy Dog work tirelessly to save dogs from neglect and abandonment. We are committed to making a difference. Join our team: become an Fluffy Dog volunteer!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Dog Shift Lead Volunteer

Ready to lead with love? Our shift lead volunteers are the heart of our daily operations. You'll oversee our facility during crucial care hours (8am-12pm or 6pm-9pm daily), ensuring every dog receives the attention they deserve. Your responsibilities include feeding, cleaning pens and facilities, managing laundry, organizing playgroups, administering medications, and coordinating with our dedicated walking volunteers.

This role is perfect for experienced dog lovers who aren't afraid of a challenge. Our rescue dogs often come to us without basic training or social skills, so big dog experience and a strong work ethic are essential. While this volunteer position offers no monetary compensation, the reward of seeing a dog transform under your care is priceless—not to mention all the grateful puppy kisses you'll receive!

Commitment: One shift per month to one shift per week—your schedule, your choice.

Dog Walkers

Be the hero every dog needs. Our dog walkers are truly our boots on the ground, providing essential exercise, training, and socialization for our rescue dogs. At our Hartland facility, you'll do so much more than just walk—you'll help rebuild confidence, teach basic manners, and show these deserving dogs what human kindness looks like.

We make volunteering easy with our flexible calendar system where you choose your preferred shifts and hours. Your time makes a difference. We're open daily from 8am-12pm and 6pm-9pm. Every interaction you have helps prepare these dogs for successful adoptions and builds the trust they need to thrive in their forever homes.

Perfect for: Anyone who loves dogs and wants to make a direct impact on their rehabilitation.

Facility Support

Behind every successful rescue is a clean, organized facility. If working directly with dogs isn't your calling, but you still want to support our mission, our facility team is for you. Help keep our space welcoming and sanitary by washing dishes, doing laundry, sweeping, mopping, cleaning walls, or maintaining crates.

Choose the tasks that suit you best and work on your own schedule. Your efforts ensure our dogs live in a clean, comfortable environment while they wait for their forever homes.

Though you might be working behind the scenes, your contribution is just as vital—creating a safe, healthy space where healing happens. Every clean bowl, fresh blanket, and spotless kennel contributes to a dog's recovery and wellbeing.

Great opportunity if you enjoy behind-the-scenes work and find satisfaction in creating clean, organized environments.

Transportation Volunteers

Be the bridge between rescue and recovery. Our transport volunteers provide essential rides for dogs to reach veterinary appointments and new homes. Most trips are from Hartland to Waukesha on weekday mornings, with occasional longer journeys to Madison, Green Bay, or Illinois.

Every ride you provide could be the one that saves a life or delivers a dog to their new family.

Schedules are flexible and based on need.

Fundraising Coordinator

Turn your networking skills into lifesaving resources. Lead our fundraising efforts by identifying opportunities and building a volunteer team to bring these initiatives to life.

Your organizational skills and community connections will directly impact our ability to rescue more dogs and provide them with necessary medical care.

Perfect for: Anyone who enjoys connecting with community members, businesses, and organizations.

Volunteer Rules & Requirements

Before You Apply

Please read all of this information. Animal welfare is inherently dangerous. This is for the safety of our dogs AND our volunteers. We are working with dogs that were found as strays or rescues from horrible situations, with unknown histories. They do not know basic manners or leash etiquette. It's up to our volunteers to make the right decisions to protect both the dogs and ourselves.

Commitment Expectations

Our dogs deserve consistent and dedicated individuals who want to help our mission on a semi-regular basis. This is not an opportunity for volunteers who are only interested in fulfilling a certain amount of hours for school, work, etc.

Requirements

Volunteer walkers must be physically capable of safely performing their role. This includes:

Handling strong dogs that may pull, jump, mouth, or scratch
Walking for 2–4 hours (up to 20,000+ steps)
Bending to leash dogs and clean up waste
Lifting and carrying up to 35 lbs
Most of our dogs are medium to large, with some weighing up to 90 lbs.

Volunteers must be prepared to walk any dog in our care—there isn't time during shifts to select specific dogs. Every dog needs exercise and attention. To see who's currently at the facility, visit the Adoptable Dogs page on our website.

Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes. Walks take place in rain, snow, heat, and freezing temps. Expect your clothes to possibly get dirty, bleached, or torn.

Please note: Some dogs may have contagious conditions (e.g., kennel cough, intestinal worms, mange). If you're concerned about exposure - for yourself or your pets - this may not be the right volunteer role for you.

Shifts are daily from 8 AM–12 PM and 6 PM–9 PM. Volunteers must commit to at least two hours per shift, though we prefer those who can stay the full time.

Dog Walking Rules & Safety Information

Handling & Safety

Do not let the rescue dogs interact with anyone on leash aside from their handler. This includes other dogs (rescue or not) or strangers.
Always use a harness and keep dogs on a short leash. Don't let them pull and don't pull them.
Enter pens to leash dogs; exit the building quickly.
Turn away from jumpers and reward calm behavior - work on “sit, treat, release.”
No running or face-to-face contact with dogs.
Walks must be at least 15 minutes.

Facility Rules

Flip the “Walking” tag before heading out.
Exit through the back, enter through the front.
Keep all kennel doors closed.
Do not walk puppies or enter rooms with moms and litters.
Don’t visit kennel-to-kennel - this stresses dogs out.
No phones inside. Photos outside are allowed, but stay focused on the dog.

Where to Walk

Walk only in the grassy area east of our building and on roads in the industrial park.
Do not walk near Hwy-83, by the mailboxes, or on neighboring business property.
Always clean up after dogs.

Health & Notes

Read kennel notes - safety or health information may be listed.
Be aware: dogs may have contagious conditions. Wash hands and ask if unsure.

Required Reading & Viewing

Read these articles and watch the harness videos prior to your first shift.