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How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

  • 1.  How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-01-2025 12:47 PM

    Would like to hear how you keep your volunteers engaged and motivated.    I've seen so many volunteers come and go as well as lack of volunteering itself.  


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

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    Geri Beveridge
    Volunteer
    Dog Star Rescue
    CT
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  • 2.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-02-2025 04:15 AM

    Following to hear others' ideas. We have some amazing volunteers but we get a lot of turn over too. We understand that being in a rural area that it is a long drive for volunteers to get to us. Another challenge for us is that we are a farm and exotic sanctuary, so in person volunteering is very labor intensive. 



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    Lisa Burn
    Co-founder/VP
    Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
    Myakka City, FL
    https://farmhousesanctuary.org
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-03-2025 02:58 PM
      |   view attached

    Hi Geri - Our organization is a dog search & rescue team with 16 volunteers. I find that recognizing simple things like birthdays, volunteer tenure anniversaries, milestone events helps with our engagement. Highlighting team wins or even individual wins from individual case rescues on our social media platforms also seems to be a big hit. I find that volunteers enjoy a little recognition whether that's just within a Facebook Team Chat or on our pages. Allowing volunteers the autonomy to also be a part of case strategies helps them to feel that they are part of the solution and not just being directed on what to do. I'm a big believer in demonstrating gratefulness & recognizing that volunteers don't have to do this.. they want to do this, but they will lose engagement when it feels like a job and isn't rewarding and fun anymore.  All the best! You've got this!! 



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    Mechelle Colby
    President/Founder
    Red Collar Rescue & Recovery
    AZ
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-06-2025 04:51 PM

    Such great ideas.  While your team of volunteers is small, you have a large impact.  I couldn't agree more with listening and letting volunteers be heard.  But not only that, it's the follow through.  That is what I'm thinking would be even more important than the idea itself!   



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    Geri Beveridge
    Volunteer
    Dog Star Rescue
    CT
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-11-2025 11:55 AM

    Love these suggestions. Simple and straightforward. Sometimes, we can overthink things...;)



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    Patti Denny
    BCAR Volunteer
    Big Canoe Animal Rescue
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-03-2025 02:59 PM

    I would love to know the same! We have FB groups of adopters and volunteers with hundreds of ppl but it's always the same ppl that step up to foster and/or volunteer for events and as a small foster based, volunteer run non-profit rescue, it gets tough to get the help we need…Mostly we appeal to those groups on FB but not sure how to really entice more of them to step up or gain new volunteers…We show before and after rescue photos/videos of the dogs as a feel good moment for everyone but it doesn't seem to drive anyone new to help out. Looking for new ideas as well.



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    Jennifer Dietz
    Event planning committe
    New Start Dog Rescue of Illinois
    IL
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 09-11-2025 01:56 AM

    If you're looking for event help specifically, first, you have to understand that some people want to help more than others. That's okay. Volunteers should be allowed to help as much or as little (within reason) as fits their lifestyle. Sometimes, though, there is potential out there and it's finding those people that would be willing to put in more volunteer hours than they already are. Here are some ideas:

    • Reach out to individuals and ask them directly if they would help with a particular event. Tell them why you think their abilities fit the event well and what to expect during the event. If they say no, ask them if they would potentially be interested in helping out another time. This will help you recognize who is truly willing to help at events and who is more interested in their typical volunteer role. This strategy can make volunteers feel like they were selected, which is an honor, and that makes them feel good. Also, when asking a group, people often figure they'll just let someone else do it. You get that group paralysis.
    • Try to keep events structured and organized. The unknown is stressful for most people, but if they have confidence that leadership won't let them fail then they will be far more likely to help out.
    • Reach out to people who helped with the event the prior time and remind them of how fun and successful it was. Remember, success is just one aspect. The more fun your events are the better.
    • Try to find different roles for people if there is a need. Some people will want to have an animal, some may want to be a driver, etc. We have some volunteers that don't like to interact with the public as much while other volunteers love interacting with the public. Try to find a spot for both personalities.
    • If it's going to be a hot day, bring bottled water in a cooler. Maybe throw in some snacks like Uncrustables or whatever they desire for longer events.
    • It's also okay to have more help than you need. Often times getting people into their first event is a gateway to doing more, so if there is a lot of interest for one event try to accept as many volunteers as possible.

    I hope this helps.



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    Drew Domalick
    Volunteer
    N/A
    WI
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-03-2025 02:59 PM

    I've noticed sending personalized thank you notes to volunteers seems to keep them engaged and coming back. I typically write them out following big events they've helped with or just periodically throughout the year. I found that when I sent out notes, some volunteers who weren't as active would show up more.  I think showing appreciation goes a long way for building a community that feels supported and engaged! 



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    Glennis Walters
    Event and Volunteer Coordinator
    Florida Keys SPCA
    FL
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-04-2025 11:04 AM

    One thing that we do to keep the volunteers motivated is by occasionally giving them cash. We also let them have first choice in adoptions in case they want to adopt an animal. We also try to work with their schedule to pick their own hours, and allow them free time to love on the animals of their choice. I also am an ear fo them to bend when they need to talk about stuff, and I don't scold them for being too busy with their life to volunteer regularly. I think they just want to feel like they are heard and seen.



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    April Cannizzaro
    CEO
    San Diego Last Chance Ranch
    CA
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-05-2025 03:14 AM

    @April Cannizzaro totally agree with you about volunteers wanting to be heard and seen.  We give our volunteers gas and restaurant gift cards and many tell me they don't want them.  I've had a volunteer tell me that they are not doing it to get gifts and a simple thank you is enough but we feel we should do more. We've tried voluteer events too but I think they would rather spend their time volunteering. We are always asking our volunteers for their thoughts on how to improve the sanctuary and make things easier for everyone. We also ask them for fundraising ideas.  We want to include them in things that are important to the future of our sanctuary. the one thing that most of our volunteers have said they enjoy is when we share pictures of them with  the animals, on our social media.  Unfortunately we find that we only have a handful of volunteers who are consistant. Our biggest challenge is finding volunteers who will continue to show up and not just volunteer one time so they can see the different animals at the sanctuary. 



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    Lisa Burn
    Co-founder/VP
    Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
    Myakka City, FL
    https://farmhousesanctuary.org
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 09-11-2025 02:06 AM

    If you have a merch store, people love free or discounted merch. That way the reward is going to advertise the organization.



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    Drew Domalick
    Volunteer
    N/A
    WI
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-04-2025 08:39 PM

    I would love to know some ideas too! We have tried volunteer events, but we get a low turn out and it doesn't seem worth it. I try sending notes to say thank you or just making them feel appreciated. We tried selecting one to highlight every few weeks, but we don't have that many core volunteers. I'd love easy ways to say thank you to our regular volunteers.



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    Stefanie Schmidt
    Animal Welfare Specialist
    Hearts Alive Village
    NV
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    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-06-2025 06:02 PM

    Our rescue is run entirely by volunteers. Those who turn the wheels of our Rottweiler rescue are motivated by love of the breed. The hard part of staying engaged is not letting disappointment of how owners neglect dogs kill morale and grow despair. But it's a double edged sword since sadness at dog neglect sparks a renewed sense of purpose. I think the best way to stay motivated is keep reminding each other about the success stories. From transporters who drive a dog two hours, evaluators who meet dogs to ascertain their temperament, fosters who bring the dogs into their home -- always remind these people that were it not for their efforts, the rotties might still be in animal control facing a euthanasia deadline.



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    Adriane Blaesing
    Assistant intake coordinator and fundraising coord
    MidAmerica Rottweiler Rescue
    NE
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    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-06-2025 07:47 PM

    Keeping volunteers engaged can be tough, but we've found that offering meaningful roles tailored to each person's skills and interests makes a big difference. We also prioritize flexibility, knowing volunteers' availability can change, so we provide a variety of ways to contribute-from occasional help to regular commitments. This approach helps volunteers feel valued and makes it easier for them to stay involved.



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    Julie Beatty
    Grants Coordinator
    Ziva Dog Rescue
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    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-07-2025 09:41 AM

    We have found that offering trainings frequently is helping. It was getting discouraging to have only 3-4 people show up to each one but instead of giving up, we increased the frequency. We have orientations for click for quiet, enrichment team, and doggy field trips at least twice each month. Sometimes we get ten people, sometimes we get two but there is SOMEONE at each one and the programs are growing in engagement! Even if we get 3 people at each one - that's six new participants a month instead of 4 quarterly! 



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    Jamie Gibson
    Animal Defense League of Texas
    San Antonio TX
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    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-08-2025 10:09 AM

    Following for ideas! We have the same problems as just about everyone else here - a small, core group of people who are doing everything and a lot of stragglers who watch from the sidelines or help with one event and disappear, or, my absolute biggest pet peeve, volunteer to take ownership of something and then disappear. 

    We're flexible - nothing is mandated. We spend time training, onboarding, and trying to give each person tasks that align with what they're interested in/knowledgeable about. It's just so hard to keep people engaged. 



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    Meredith Evens
    Founder
    Olyver & Co
    WI
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    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-11-2025 11:55 AM

    We partner with local businesses to provide volunteers pizza parties and other goodies to incentivize attendance.



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    Kallie Laity
    Owner
    Kitty Kisses Rescue of Reno
    NV
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    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 08-11-2025 11:56 AM

    We are a fully volunteer and foster-based organization for dogs.  Though I'm not responsible for volunteer engagement, after reading the responses, just wanted to post some thoughts of what I've personally experienced in our rescue:

    I don't see a lot of folks walking away, we seem to add a lot of volunteers/fosters - the level that each is active varies greatly. 

    One value that we all hold is keeping it based on the dogs. We focus on the success of the dog, which is attributed to the human as well and we recognize each other for the efforts and time each foster/volunteer spends but it always starts with the dog - what we noticed, how we see them changing, and how proud we are when they find their forever home.

    We have a lengthy process to become a volunteer or foster - it may seem silly, but I do think it weeds out folks that just apply with an intention but get in and never realize what they thought they'd do.

    We primarily communicate through a Facebook group - it's very active in terms of needs of the organization, wins, and general questions. We're all in different parts of our lives, but having such an active group really helps us feel like we're keeping in touch with the most updated information.

    Board of Directors - our BOD is amazing. They're truly focused on the goals of the rescue and they've built a leadership bench within the rescue to really support each other and the larger rescue with the right people leading the charge, leadership starts at the top just like a professional career - it's no different in rescue where the  leadership and board really drive a consistent culture.



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    Kendra Swindler
    Grants Lead
    RESCUEDohio
    OH
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    Original Message


  • 19.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 09-08-2025 01:35 PM

    I've noticed that I'm able to keep my volunteers engaged by communicating with them regularly. I've noticed volunteers who may have otherwise fallen off, have stuck around because I email and text them often. I have a monthly volunteer newsletter where I highlight a volunteer, mention an event that went on, share volunteers stats, mention upcoming events, etc. and even volunteers that don't come here as often as others have expressed that they enjoy seeing my emails. Sometimes, if I need an extra hand, I may text certain volunteers to see if they would like to come in.

    I also make sure to always interact with my volunteers when they are here at the shelter. Talking with them, asking them how their life is, what they are up to, etc. allows them to feel like they belong. :) And I always thank them when they are here. If I didn't get the chance to in person, I'll usually text and say "thanks for coming out today!"

    I've realized some amount of turn over is inevitable because unexpected things happen that take time from us, kids go back to school, people get new routines, etc. so it can be a bit of a challenge to keep them all. However, what will motivate a person to stick around is feeling appreciated and being recognized in the way they like to be recognized (there are different love languages!). Hope this helps some folks!



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    Braelyn Nores
    Foster Coordinator
    Nashville Humane Association
    TN
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    Original Message


  • 20.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 09-10-2025 09:25 AM

    Volunteer appreciation is one of the most important factors in keeping them engaged and motivated.  Maybe even more importantly treating them with the utmost respect and gratitude at each and every event is paramount.  Have Volunteer appreciation lunches, bring beverages and snacks for them at events they go to and at the shelter.  Offer first Volunteer t-shirt for $10 (a discount).  Offer volunteer orientations at the shelter going over expectations etc.  Have a volunteer manual to go home with the volunteer that covers expectations and " how to's" on every task asked of them and who to report to if they have a problem.  Reward good volunteers that come to clean cages with offering them the best opportunities at events.  Many volunteers become fosters so encourage that relationship if they "take to" a certain animal, one they like to walk all the time and offer them to foster it.  Most importantly is to listen, you need a volunteer coordinator that has a lot of patience to listen to their stories.  They are here on their leisure time mostly and many want to talk about their own pets/grandchildren/activities.  Be present and have time to listen to them, it will make them feel important and want to come back for more positive interactions



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    Brooke Crozier
    Executive Director
    Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue
    FL
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    Original Message


  • 21.  RE: How does your rescue keep volunteers engaged and motivated

    Posted 09-11-2025 01:35 AM

    We're fantastic at this. We have a very high volunteer retention rate to the point that we have to stop taking volunteers periodically because we get so many applicants, but few volunteers leave. I'll leave my thoughts as a volunteer trainer:

    • The most important aspect to volunteer retention in my opinion is mixing fun with the dirty work right from the get-go. Nobody wants to come in and clean poop, clean laundry, wash dishes, etc. for a couple hours and never get to interact with the animals.
    • Training is also very important. We give them materials that they can look over before they start their training, but we understand a lot of people won't look at it so we also build that information into our training shifts. We then have what is basically a tour of the building led by a volunteer trainer that has specialized training in giving tours, and then some training shifts with volunteer trainers. The training shifts are basically just normal volunteer shifts, but they get a dedicated trainer helping them out. We put more and more on their plate each shift. After their training is done, we let them loose to volunteer without a trainer, but we keep them with an experienced volunteer for a while.
    • Having the right tools for the job is important. They should never be asked to get by with broken mops, brooms, etc. We have nice equipment so they don't have to scrub on their hands and knees. We keep our supplies tidy so they know where everything is.
    • Allow input from your volunteers. If volunteers feel that they have no voice they will often leave. We have QR Codes that can be scanned that allows volunteers to make suggestions about anything at any time. Every QR Code is responded to by a staff member so that volunteers know they have been heard, even if the staff don't use their idea.
    • Put on an annual volunteer appreciation night. We give away a free t-shirt with organization branding to everyone who goes to the annual volunteer appreciation night. There are raffles to win prizes that are donated by local businesses. This is a great opportunity for the organization to reach the volunteers, go over a yearly summary, talk about the future, etc. We also give a free meal with sandwiches, soups, fruit, etc.
    • Snacks and drinks are provided where each volunteer can have a snack and drink per shift. If we're going to ask them to put 3 hours of their day into a volunteer shift, they will appreciate having a little snack or drink when they desire it. The kids also LOVE the snacks.
    • Recommend that volunteers pick a shift they go to every week. This will create stability for your organization. Also, while most volunteers think that filling will be easiest, in my experience most volunteers find out that having a fixed schedule makes their volunteer work easier to plan around and can set a basis for how much they want to volunteer. They can always pick up more shifts if they are available.

    In the end, volunteer retention comes down to treating your volunteers no differently than staffers, making life easy for them and allowing them to have FUN right from the start.

    NOTE: We are a rescue organization with about 200 volunteers and around a dozen staffers for an organization that adopts out around 800 cats/dogs annually.



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    Drew Domalick
    Volunteer
    N/A
    WI
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    Original Message


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