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Volunteer

About Us
Volunteer Dog Image

In this section, you will find information about a very rewarding commitment...volunteering with HRI! If, after reading information about volunteering with HRI and you are interested in joining our rescue, follow these steps.

  • 1
    - Read over our Volunteer Contract FIRST. To complete the process, you will need to check a box indicating that you have read and will abide by the contract in the Volunteer Application.
  • 2
    - Collect your reference(s) contact information ahead of time. You will need four references and a vet reference for the Volunteer Application.
  • 3
    - Fill out the Volunteer Application. Please include ALL the requested information. We cannot process your application without it.
  • 4
    - Fill out the Skills Assesment. This is helpful—not only to HRI but also to help you realize what you can do for HRI.
  • 5
    - Our volunteer coordinator will contact you after your application and references have been verified to discuss how you can help HRI.
  • 6
    - TROUBLE completing this process? Please Click Here.

What do HRI Volunteers do? There is nothing they don't do! A few ways our volunteers help HRI include:

RESCUE IS:
Administration.

A rescue doesn’t run itself. We must have people willing to serve on committees and the board.

bills must be paid (website/veterinary/grooming/store purchases/credit cards, etc.)
insurance must be obtained kept up
database creation/maintenance
records must be entered/maintained for every dog
records of all expenses must be entered/maintained
tracking sales in the store(s)
permits and licenses must be obtained for various activities
decisions (sometimes very hard ones) must be made about whether we have the resources and foster homes to take in dogs
compliance with laws for 48 states must be researched and observed (and we recently had an international adoption!)
writing policies, procedures and educational info for other volunteers
creating forms/contracts for intake/adoption
board meetings and other ongoing communication
Fundraising.

We can’t rescue dogs if we have no money to care for them. Fundraising includes:

quilting squares for the HRI Quilt Fundraiser
coordinating the fabrication of the quilt
selling quilt tickets
grant research and writing
coordinating an online auction to raise funds
helping to organize the huge events at the Havanese National Specialty
helping to staff the huge events at the Havanese National Specialty
procuring donations of items from businesses or individuals for our foster dogs or for auctions and fundraisers
storing/shipping store products
advertising events
Websites.

The website is our “public face.” The primary method for people to make contact with us to surrender or adopt dogs

creation and general administration of the site (our site is not “static” it changes constantly)
online forms creation and maintenance (so people can contact us)
photography
creation of dog listings on our site and PetFinder
writing/posting of educational materials about adoption, dog care, behavior problems, etc.
maintaining a social media presence (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.)
moderation of IO Groups
Education.

The best way for us to help dogs stay out of shelters and rescue is educating owners.

newsletter
writing articles
proofreading/editing
production/distribution
communicating HRI news to local HCA clubs
being available to counsel someone about a dog behavior issue
educating the public by setting up booths at local pet expos or shows
creating a slideshow or video for youtube or educational venues
State Contacts.
application processing
reference/veterinary checks
home visits
record keeping
ensures that new volunteers join the io Group(s)
orientation/mentoring new volunteers
coordinating foster placements in state
mentoring foster parents
helping to coordinate vet care
ensuring that each dog has HRI ID tags while in foster care
Intake Group.
staffing the intake group 7 days a week
emailing and making phone calls to follow up on dogs needing our help
assessing safety risk (if dog is known to have aggression issues the board must be involved in the decision process)
deciding whether we can accept a particular dog
Dog Management Team.
keeps track of ALL the dogs currently in foster care and those coming into foster care, including who is fostering, what their adoption status is.
providing photos and write ups for dog listings to the geeks for the website
mentoring foster parents
determining the appropriate adoption fee amount to be requested for each dog based on age, health, behaviour issues, etc.
too many other tasks to list!
Miscellaneous.

he best way for us to help dogs stay out of shelters and rescue is educating owners.

providing financial support/donations
donating air miles for transport
researching prices on vet care, flea-tick medications, grooming etc.
storing/shipping things for foster dogs (leashes, collars, belly-bands, etc)
providing moral support and camaraderie to other volunteers as they share their successes and challenges with HRI dogs
Thank you cards to donors
Get well cards to ill volunteers
Dog Care.

Now we’re finally down to actual contact with a dog.

IDing/assessing dogs/checking on dogs in shelters
coordinating dog transports
driving a leg of a transport
driving various distances to meet a devastated owner forced to surrender their beloved pet and trying to help them and the dog
fostering
feeding
administering medications
vet trips
training/addressing behavior problems/issues
grooming
socializing
Adoption.
responding to applications
reference/veterinary checks
home visits
record keeping
follow up on adoptions to ensure successful placement

It takes all of this — and more — to provide a safe haven and secure future for the Havanese that need us. We cannot do this without you. So if you're wondering "how can I help" feel free to look over this list then contact someone and say "Hey! I can help with that!"

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FAQs

About Us

Some volunteer jobs require no previous skills, some require a little experience, and some require a bit of computer savvy. If there is something that you are proficient in and you think HRI can benefit from your skills, please look into that position or send us an email telling us how you feel you could help!

You will also find a “Skills Questionnaire” in the HRI Volunteer application process. Although this is not necessary, it is helpful—not only to HRI but also to help you realize what you can do for HRI.

Depending on the job, there are many different time commitments. Some jobs require a one-time commitment, while others require ongoing commitment.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Visit our Community tab for step-by-step instructions on how to apply to be an HRI Volunteer. You can click the link here to go to that page.

Are you interested in—ADMINISTRATION?

These roles involve:

  • Creating and maintaining our Database
  • Keeping up to date on our permits, licensing, and insurance
  • Maintaining various records—from dogs to expenses
  • Paying HRI bills
  • Writing policies, procedures, and educational information for HRI volunteers
  • Create forms and contracts for Intake and Adoption
  • Serving on Boards and Committees

Are you interested in—FUNDRAISING?

These roles involve:

  • Grant research and writing
  • Coordinating the HRI Quilt Fundraiser
  • Quilting squares or selling tickets for the Quilt Fundraiser
  • Coordinating online fundraisers and auctions
  • Procuring donations for auctions and fundraisers
  • Helping staff and/or organize events for the Havanese National Speciality °Promote HRI through advertising on social media and other venues

Are you interested in—WEBSITE AND GEEK SQUAD?

These roles involve:

  • Creation and general administration of the HRI site
  • Maintaining and creating online forms
  • Posting educational materials
  • Creation of HRI dog listings on the HRI website and Petfinder
  • Maintaining a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.
  • Moderation of IO Groups
  • Problem solving tech issues

Are you interested in—EDUCATION?

These roles involve:

  • Writing informative articles
  • Production and distribution of the HRI newsletter
  • Proofreading and editing HRI documents, newsletters, articles, etc.
  • Communicating HRI news to local HCA clubs
  • Availability and experience to counsel regarding dog behavior issues
  • Setting up and tending a booth for HRI at local pet expos and shows °Creating slideshows or videos for YouTube and other educational venues

Are you interested in—DOG CARE?

These roles involve:

  • Fostering HRI dogs
  • Helping to transport HRI dogs
  • Advising on dog behavior issues
  • Storing and shipping items for foster dogs, ie-leashes, collars, belly-bands, etc.
  • Assessing and IDing dogs in homes or shelters

Are you interested in becoming a—FOSTER FAMILY?

This role involves:

Provide compassionate and loving care for as long as necessary until the dog has been successfully placed in a new permanent home.

  • Keeping comprehensive dog records and observations about the dog’s progress
  • Communicating frequently with the Dog Management Team and State Contact. Working with the State Contact to assess adoption applications
  • A mid to high level of computer time for filling out forms and updates and regular communication

Are you interested in becoming a—STATE CONTACT?

This role involves:

  • Tracking all dogs in your state from intake to adoption
  • Coordinating the placement and transport of the foster dog
  • Working with and mentoring foster families in your state
  • Helping to coordinate Vet care of the foster dog
  • Responding and processing adoption applications
  • Performing reference checks and home visits
  • Keeping detailed records
  • A reasonably high level of computer time and organization

Are you interested in joining the—INTAKE COMMITTEE?

This role involves:

  • Monitoring the Intake Submission Email 7 days a week
  • Communicating with the Surrendering Party, Intake Committee, Dog Management Team, State Contacts, and sometimes the Board
  • Keeping detailed records and strong follow-up
  • Good email and computer skills

Are you interested in joining the—DOG MANAGEMENT TEAM (DMT)?

This role involves:

  • Keeping track of all new dogs coming in and all currently in Foster care
  • Continuous monitoring and updating of adoption status Provide photos and write-ups for dog listings to Geek Squad
  • Mentoring and communication with Foster families
  • Determining appropriate adoption fee for each dog

Are you interested in being a—DOG WRITER?

This role involves:

  • Writing dog listings for every dog in Foster care, using the information provided by the Foster family

Are you interested in becoming a—VET LIAISON?

This role involves:

  • Researching prices on vet care, medications, grooming
  • Ensuring Vet practices are paid promptly
  • Communicating with the DMT, Vet practices, and foster homes °Processing reimbursements

Are you interested in—ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP?

Here are some ideas:

Provide financial support and donations

  • Donating miles for air transport
  • Writing thank you cards to donors
  • Sending get-well cards to ill volunteers

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