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Volunteers are our Backbone!

Whether you like dogs, cats, or both - whether you have a lot of time, a little time, or no time - there is a volunteer opportunity to fit your needs at Pet Refuge!
What does each group do?
Below you can see some details for the various departments.  

Yes! I want to volunteer!
 

Different Areas Where You Can Help

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FOSTERING A CAT OR DOG

Foster homes allow us to rescue homeless animals from a variety of situations by providing temporary care and shelter until they are adopted.  The general requirement is that you love animals and have the time and ability to provide a foster animal with adequate care.  Pet Refuge covers the cost of medical care while in foster care and provides you with all the items needed.  Other requirements will vary depending upon the needs of the foster animal.  Pet Refuge matches the needs of the animal with the foster home.

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HANG OUT WITH OUR CATS

We have 10 community cat rooms, an intake, and infirmary. Help is needed on our morning and evening care shifts.  The cat room volunteers do the important job of seeing that the cats have clean water, food, and litter boxes.  They check on the cats to make sure that they are all well and not stressed.  Come help  care for the cats, lowering their stress and help them to find their forever homes.

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CARE FOR OUR DOGS

We have two cleaning shifts; morning and night.  Volunteers are asked to commit to one per week.  Each shift feeds/waters, sweeps/mops kennels, takes dogs outside and of course, plays with the dogs.  For the dogs, you would work with 2-3 other volunteers on the cleaning shift and you have to be at least 18 years of age.

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OFFICE VOLUNTEERS

Our shelter is staffed by office volunteers,

Monday through Friday, from 10:00 – 3:00. 

And for our Adoption Events, on Thursday nights from 6-8PM and on Saturdays from 10AM - 3PM.

If you are interested in helping in this area, you would need to have prior office experience working with the Public, Computer knowledge, multitasking, and phone experience.


Ongoing clerical projects help also needed with mailings, volunteer department support, newsletters/press releases and event scheduling.

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OFFSITE EVENTS

Do you love to meet people and talk about pets? We are looking a few volunteers to help us at offsite events. Some events might have cats and dogs to hang out with, others are informational.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING SUPPORT

Love social media? Live on Tik Tok? Pet Refuge is looking for you to help up share our adoption animals. Videos are needed of animals to help showcase them on social media and our website. 

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FUNDRAISING

If you cannot commit or have the time for a weekly cleaning shift or in the office, “fundraising” for Pet Refuge is an important cause.  Volunteers organize and promote many fundraising events throughout the year.  Help with events when your schedule allows, knowing your reward is helping and supporting animals in need. We are always looking for new ideas to raise funds and love new promotions.

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JUNIOR VOLUNTEERS

If you are ages 12-17 and would like to volunteer we have a program for you too!

Juniors meet every other Saturday morning from 8-10AM.  

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PET REFUGE

4626 S Burnett Drive,
South Bend, IN 46614


Telephone: (574) 231-1122
Office Hours: Mon - Fri | 10 AM - 3 PM

Adoption Hours:

 Thursday: 6 PM – 8 PM

Saturday: 10 AM – 3 PM

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CONNECT WITH US

  • Pet Refuge Facebook
  • Pet Refuge Instagram
  • Pet Refuge Twitter
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