You can make a difference.
It doesn't matter what you're good at.
If you have a passion for helping dogs, there's a
place for you at Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge!
Build a Fence.
Spend a day outside changing the life of a dog who has never had freedom by building a fence!
You don't need any fence building experience. All you need is the will to help and the ability to work with your hands outside.
It is a rewarding experience to be part of this process start to finish. You meet a dog who’s lived his life chained in the same filthy spot for years, isolated and desperate for even the slightest amount of attention. Then you spend the day working with other volunteers and the Dogs Deserve Better team to build him a fence.
Then it happens.
That overwhelmingly emotional moment when the dog is finally let off his chain. With sheer JOY, he begins running and playing, jumping and spinning, sniffing every inch of his new yard.... it’s magical, and you leave that afternoon knowing you’ve given such happiness to a previously heartbroken dog, and changed his life.
Fence builds take place on Saturdays, and run between 3-5 hours, depending on the size and layout of the pen.
Field Days.
On Field Days, we help to make the dogs we visit a little more comfortable, and build relationships with their humans. It takes compassion and understanding to meet the owners and work with their dogs, but it's so worth it.
You can interact as little or as much with the owners as you wish (it can be hard at first, but don't worry, you are stronger than you think!)
Field days begin with a knock on the door, where you’ll start the conversation that begins to build a relationship with the family. You’ll introduce them to the idea that the creature chained outside is not "just a dog" but a wonderful, loving part of their family, and help them to realize how awesome it is to really enjoy the huge amount of love their dog has to give them. Once the dogs’ families begin to trust you, they’ll start to follow your lead, as you teach them better ways to care for their dogs. If you love dogs and will do anything for them (even talk to someone you don't agree with) we need you.
Field days take place any day of the week, and run between 4-8 hours, depending on how many houses we visit (typically we’ll go to 2-5 properties depending on the number of dogs and condition of their living arrangements).
Help at an Event.
Help us raise awareness of Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge by helping out at an event. Having a presence at festivals, beer gardens, fundraisers, etc. is one of the most effective ways we have found to:
promote our adorable, adoptable pups
recruit new volunteers + fosters
generate much-needed donations
share our ‘off-the-chain’ message to a wider audience
We can always use help. Whether it’s working at the booth helping to sell DDB Blue Ridge merch, chatting with folks to raise awareness about outside dogs… OR you can chose to work directly with our dogs. Being a handler while DDB Blue Ridge folks talk to potential adoption/foster applicants and donors is incredibly helpful.
Whatever you’re good at, we’d love to have you join us!
Event Days are normally between 2-4 hours, depending on the event. Most of the time it's on a weekend or after work on a weekday.
Become a Case Manager.
As a case manager, you will essentially adopt a family (dogs and people) with the ultimate goal of helping these dogs live a better life.
You will befriend a family and encourage them to see their dogs for what they are, sensitive animals with feelings. You may offer help if need be: a walk, an occasional bag of food. Your goal is to show the family that their dog is worth taking care of and that you care about their situation.
Sometimes (a lot of the time) you won't agree with the people, but that's OK. We are all different and grew up in different circumstances. We have to be able to talk with each other, treat each other with dignity, and understand the obstacles so that we can truly help the dog. We will match you with a family, and work with you if you aren't sure how to talk with them.
The most important thing to remember is that by getting involved, you can make such a huge difference. And often times, you are these dogs’ only voice.
Apply today.
You can make a difference.
It doesn't matter what you're good at, as long as you have a passion for helping dogs, there's a place for you at Dogs Deserve Better!