Volunteer

APPLICATION TEAM:
The application coordinators are often the first representatives of NNR that future families meet. Coordinators support families from across the country as they begin their journey to welcome a dog in need into their family. Application coordinators spend time getting to know families. The information they glean from their interactions serves as the anchor to several other teams, highlighting the critical nature of their role in the adoption and foster process. Application coordinators also serve as the advocate for families as they participate in the search for the perfect match.

Application Coordinators:

• Review newly assigned applications through an electronic database system.
• Communicate effectively via text, email, and phone call with applicants and references to gather the information required to develop a comprehensive profile of the family.
• Contact veterinarians to verify vet care & preventatives
• Verify information through public records (home ownership & local limit dog ordinances)
• Synthesize information gathered from a variety of sources.
• Communicate virtually via Zoom or Google Meet.
• Communicate with the applications manager when needed.
• Ability to use Google Chat

 

INTAKE TEAM:
The Intake coordinators coordinate intake for all dogs entering the rescue. Intake coordinators often partake in conversations that require understanding and compassion, as they often work directly with owners who are surrendering their beloved dogs. It is a fast-paced role that has a higher level of urgency than many other volunteer opportunities and can be stressful at times. Despite the stress, it is very rewarding.

Intake Coordinators:

• Communicate effectively with surrendering owners and shelters
• Collaborate with other teams
• Evaluate the level of need of an owner and a dog
• Communicate with partner organizations across the country
• Evaluate the capacity of the organization and its’ volunteers
• Communicate with team managers when needed.
• Ability to use Google Chat

 

MARKETING TEAM:

The marketing team is the public-facing entity of the organization. The marketing team is multifaceted, with responsibilities including fundraising, social media, and event planning. As a non-profit organization, NNR depends on fundraising to provide our dogs with all the veterinary care they need, as well as the unique supplies fosters need to individualize the environment for each dog. As veterinary costs increase in addition to the level of medical need of many of our incoming dogs, the marketing team is vital to all that the organization does.

Marketing Coordinators:

• SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM MEMBER:
  Assists various teams in creating and coordinating social media posts. Creative mindsets and the ability to use various design/photo software programs are helpful.
• EVENT TEAM MEMBER:
  Helps organize events and attendance to drive funding and exposure for the rescue.
• FUNDRAISING TEAM MEMBER:

Helps coordinate and implement various fundraising activities. Suggests creative fundraising ideas to help the dogs in our care. May be asked to write grant proposals or help with other fundraising tasks.

 

PLACEMENT TEAM

Placement Coordinators evaluate dogs currently in foster care and identify the most suitable adopter, ensuring each dog is set up to thrive in their Forever Home. Using the combined knowledge from application coordinators, vetting coordinators, behavior notes from foster support coordinator, insights from foster parents, and your own intuition and judgment, you will make informed, thoughtful placement decisions.

Placement Coordinators:

• Review a dog’s complete foster profile, including medical, behavioral, and lifestyle needs.
• Use the electronic database system to search for applicants who match a dog’s wish list, including running reports and filtering applications.
• Communicate with foster parents, foster coaches, vetting coordinators, and potential adopters via text, email, phone, and Google Chat.
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different applicants and recommend the best match for each dog.
• Document placement recommendations clearly and accurately within the database.
• Collaborate with other Placement Coordinators, Application Coordinators, and Managers as needed.
• Utilize project management software to track placement progress and next steps.
• Participate in virtual meetings (Zoom or Google Meet) when required.

 

TRANSPORT TEAM

The transport team is the backbone of the transfer process from surrendering owners/shelters and the foster homes. As an organization that services families across the country, the transport team is often charged with coordinating travel across states between several transport volunteers. The transport team makes a difference by ensuring dogs arrive safely at where they need to go! Transport coordinators work with our amazing volunteer drivers to set up meeting spots, share contact details, and monitor trips as they happen. If you enjoy organizing, communicating, and being part of a mission that truly saves lives, this is a great way to get involved!

Transport Coordinators:

• Strong organization and communication skills
• Creative thinker and problem-solver
• Participate in virtual meetings (Zoom or Google Meet) when required

 

VETERINARY TEAM

The vetting coordinator reaches out to the foster’s vet to establish an account, provide previous medical records, obtain estimates, obtain authorization for routine exams, assist in scheduling routine procedures (spay, neuter, etc.), and arrange other necessary visits.

The vetting coordinator also maintains the dog's medical profile in our system by creating medical records and uploading medical history.

Veterinary Coordinators

• Knowledge of basic preventative care and diagnostic tests
• Knowledge of common medical concerns
• Communicate effectively via text, email, and phone call with veterinarians to gather the information required to develop a comprehensive profile of the dog
• Synthesize information gathered from a variety of sources.
• Communicate virtually via Zoom or Google Meet.
• Problem solve and advocate for fosters experiencing medical crises or identifying concerns with the dogs
• Communicate with the vetting manager when needed.
• Ability to use Google Chat

 

FOSTER NETWORK TEAM:

The mission of the Foster Network Team is to place intake dogs in suitable foster homes, maintain a list of viable foster homes for intake dogs, communicate with available fosters, serve as primary contact for vacant foster homes, run operations for moving dogs from one foster home to another as needed, confirm that foster homes are equipped with all the needed items and materials for fostering as well as connecting them with any needed resources. The foster network team supports and appreciates the National Newfoundland Rescue’s foster families.

 

FOSTER NETWORK SPECIAL OPERATIONS:

Community Outreach and Partnership is a special operation within Foster Network: The mission of this effort is multifaceted. The outreach team organizes and manages all of the supply purchases for fosters. This includes managing the FI collars, sending welcoming packages, ordering emergency supplies needed for health and safety purposes, and other special requests for the teams. The community outreach team also supports efforts to develop and strengthen networking efforts for the organization including donors, sponsors, and partner rescues. The Community Outreach Team has partnered with Fi and the donation program as well as the promo they offer us for the discounted collars for fosters and adopters.

Foster Network Coordinators

• Ability to utilize various software tools after introduction and training
• Collaborate with colleagues in various teams to determine the needs of dogs and fosters in an attempt to make successful matches
• Serve as a primary contact for approved vacant fosters
• Review newly assigned applications through an electronic database system.
• Communicate effectively via text, email, and phone call with fosters
• Ability to use Google Chat

 

FOSTER/ADOPTER SUPPORT TEAM:

You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need empathy, good communication skills, and a genuine desire to help humans and animals thrive together. As a Foster Coach, you’ll be a lifeline for our foster families—helping dogs decompress, guiding fosters through behavioral challenges, and making sure both people and pets feel supported every step of the way. This is the perfect role for someone who loves training, dog behavior, problem-solving, and cheering others on.
Foster Coaches are the bridge between fosters and our wider team. You’ll check in with fosters regularly, celebrate milestones, and offer a listening ear when things get tough. You’ll help foster follow best practices for decompression, training, and safety—sharing resources, connecting them with trainers or behavior teams when needed, and collaborating with our foster vetting, placement, and adoption teams to ensure smooth transitions. You’ll also help track foster progress and share updates, ensuring communication stays clear and supportive. Above all, you’ll empower fosters to gain confidence and feel part of a community that changes lives every day.
We’re looking for someone compassionate and calm under pressure—someone who listens first, leads with empathy, and can play nice with anyone, even when they’re stressed or not your cup of tea. You’re comfortable chatting on the phone, answering questions, and being a reliable presence when fosters need support—especially during those critical first 10 days of a new placement.

In return, you’ll gain the joy of directly helping keep animals safe, supported, and out of shelters. You’ll build deep relationships with like-minded volunteers, learn about animal behavior and welfare, and be part of incredible success stories—from scared new intakes to joyful adoptions. You’ll also have ongoing training, resources, and a dedicated support network behind you every step of the way. If you’re ready to make a difference for both animals and the people who love them, join us as a Foster Coach and help change lives—one placement at a time.

Foster Coaches

• Foster or adoption experience is required
• Comfort with technology (or willingness to learn) is important
• You’re organized, dependable, and a team player who believes in modern, humane, science-based approaches to behavior and training.
• You might even describe yourself as a bit of a “behavior nerd” — the kind of person who listens to dog behavior podcasts, attends webinars, or has a growing stack of training books.
• Bonus points if you’re pro-behavior meds and can help others understand when a little pharmaceutical support is the right call for a struggling dog.
• Communicate effectively via text, email, and phone call with fosters
• Collaborate with other teams to support fosters and their dogs
• Ability to use Google Chat