Foster Questions

The minimum age requirement for volunteers is 18. For the safety of our volunteers and animals, we do not make exceptions to our age requirements.

Will I have training before I start volunteering? Yes! Each role has training that covers all aspects of that volunteer role. Most of our training is provided through volunteer mentors and leadership support and is hands on. We believe the easiest way to learn is to watch, participate, and be involved. The time it takes to complete training varies based on volunteer availability, and the specific needs of the volunteer role. Do I need to have experience to volunteer? We supply all the training needed for most of positions; any exceptions are noted on the position descriptions. No prior experience is needed to volunteer- just passion and love for senior and special needs dogs, a commitment to our organization and mission, and be willing to learn. Volunteers must be able to read and understand written instructions and be able to communicate with other volunteers and leadership, both orally and in writing. Once trained our volunteers work independently and must be proactive in asking questions or seeking help when needed. Volunteers must also be proactive and comfortable in communicating with leadership and fellow volunteers about any concerns they may have. What should I expect if I make mistakes as a volunteer? We understand mistakes happen and that is how we learn. Albert's Dog Lounge Rescue operates with a culture of Feedback and support. Albert's Dog Lounge Rescue and their leadership assumes volunteers are here because they want to help us in the way we want to be helped. We assume that if you are doing something that is not helpful or against our protocols, you would prefer us to step in and provide further instruction, rather than allowing you to continue doing the task incorrectly. If this is not your assumption and you are not okay receiving constructive feedback, we ask that you reconsider whether Albert's Dog Lounge Rescue is the right place for you to volunteer.

How often do I need to volunteer? While we do not require volunteers to fill regularly scheduled shifts, you are welcome to contribute as much or as little time as you like. However, due to the time and effort involved in training new volunteers, we kindly ask that you commit to your offered schedule. If you are unable to fulfill your commitment or no longer offer your volunteer services, please let us know as soon as possible. Your dedication helps us continue our important work, and we value your support!

I don’t have a computer, email, or Facebook. Why can't I volunteer without an email account? Email and Facebook access are required. Albert's Dog Lounge Rescue has over 200 active volunteers. The most cost-effective way for us to communicate with volunteer applicants and our current volunteers is through our private Facebook group, Facebook messenger, and email. It also becomes very difficult when we need to remember which volunteers do not have access to specific tools. We need all volunteers to have the same access and be able to see mass messages and communications. For this reason, we require that all volunteers have online access (specifically to Facebook and messenger) and a current email address.

If I am fostering, where do I find more information about that? For more information on fostering, check out the foster FAQ's here: Foster FAQ's | Albert's Dog Lounge | United States (albertsdoglounge.org) To apply to foster: Apply to Foster | Albert's Dog Lounge | United States (albertsdoglounge.org)

What if I only want to work special events? You may choose to volunteer only for special events. You will still need to complete an application and meet the volunteer requirements. You would then be connected with our Special Event volunteers.

Do you accept court-ordered community service? At this time, we are unable to accept court-ordered community service hours. We can accept community service hours for college students, jobs, etc. For community service hours, volunteers are responsible for tracking their hours and must obtain appropriate signatures every time they volunteer in order to receive verification of the hours.

Can I fill out a paper application? To streamline our volunteer application process, we do not offer paper applications for volunteers. We communicate with volunteer applicants and current volunteers through email, Facebook, and Facebook Messenger.

This is a very important and often overlooked responsibility of a foster. Fosters have big hearts! Sometimes, though, this can lead to taking on too much. This can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, or possibly attempting to take a dog that is not a good fit for their family and lifestyle. The foster, their family, the dogs, and the organization all suffer when this happens. We want fostering to be a rewarding experience for everyone, especially the foster and their foster dog. Please know your limitations and don’t take on too much. This may mean you only take certain types or energy levels of dogs, dogs that have no issues with other pets, and not more dogs than you can handle.