Volunteering
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

• oversight of all of the following:

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
  
  

Website(s). 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

• 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

Adoptions.

• 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!"