Would you like to volunteer with us? We would love to have you! Volunteers are crucial to the daily operation of the rescue and we are grateful for your support. ​We greatly appreciate the help of volunteers to give our dogs the TLC and exercise they need daily.

​Safety is our top priority and we have rules and protocols in place to keep everyone safe. Because we work with live animals, it is imperative that all volunteers read directions carefully and follow the instructions of our staff.

What do our volunteers do?
Volunteers are asked to walk one of our adoptable dogs around the Harbor Point Stamford area for approximately one hour or help socialize them on our turf. We expect volunteers to be comfortable handling a dog on leash in a public space. This means controlling the dog even if they pull on the leash, and keeping them away from people and dogs you may pass during the walk. Please be prepared to be outdoors for the duration of the session and dress appropriately for the weather (absolutely no flip flops allowed, sneakers are best).

• The minimum age to volunteer is 14 years old. Please read the Minor directions below for all volunteers under 18 years old.
• First time volunteers must sign up and complete the New Volunteer Orientation, and then they can sign up for other appointments.
• Volunteer Groups - please read the directions below. Contact [email protected] to schedule the group - do not sign up on VolunteerHub.

Please note: The minimum age to volunteer is 14 years old and must be chaperoned by a guardian at all times.

• ALL volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign their waiver.
• If the volunteer is 14-16 years old, a guardian over 18 years old must accompany and supervise the minor during the entire visit.
• Every guardian must also create their own account and sign their own waiver as well. 
• At age 17, volunteers may attend alone but a guardian must still sign the waiver.
• If a minor shows up to volunteer without a guardian they will be sent home.
• Minors must check in and out for all of their sessions, especially if you need volunteer hours for school as this is the only way we can keep track of your hours.

These guidelines are in place for the safety of the minors and therefore we cannot permit exceptions.

We welcome volunteer groups as a great community service opportunity and team building activity! If you are interested in volunteering as a group (sports team, church group, school group, corporate employee group, etc.) please contact [email protected] to schedule the group - do not sign up on VolunteerHub. Because volunteer groups require staff to accompany and supervise, as well as dog-friendly dogs to participate simultaneously, sessions cannot be guaranteed.
Please note:

• Groups are limited to 5 volunteers per one hour session. You must email us first to set up the group.
• For minors, we can have a maximum of 5 volunteers age 14-17 with one adult chaperone per one hour session.
• If you have more volunteers who want to participate we can schedule another session.
• ALL must have signed waivers (also approved by a guardian) before the session.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERS

1) Please arrive on time for your scheduled sessions. We cannot wait for late arrivals and take away that time from the dog walks. If you are 10 minutes late without notifying us, your session will be cancelled. Text or call (203) 434-1402 if you are going to be late. Cancellations must be at least 24 hours before your scheduled time. Cancel the appointment on VolunteerHub or by calling/texting (203) 434-1402. Volunteers who do not attend a scheduled activity or are late repeatedly will receive a warning and with continued abuse will be dismissed from the Volunteer Program.

2) When you arrive at your scheduled time, please wait near the gate and text or call (203) 434-1402 to let us know you have arrived. A staff member will bring out a dog for you and provide instructions. Use your phone to scan the QR code posted on the fence to CHECK-IN for your session, and don't forget to CHECK-OUT on your phone when you are leaving. This is to track your volunteer hours accurately.

3) VOLUNTEERS WILL BE WALKING A DOG AROUND THE HARBOR POINT AREA FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR.  A staff escorted walk is a critical part of the volunteer orientation and walks without the proper footwear is not safe. For everyone's safety, you will be sent home if you arrive wearing flip flops, sandals, open toe, or open back shoes. If you can't run in it, don't wear it. SNEAKERS ARE BEST. If you arrive without proper footwear, you will be sent home and will need to reschedule your orientation for another weekend. Long hair should be tied back and please avoid long jewelry. These rules apply even if you are spending times on our turf with the dogs instead of walking.

4) Cell phone use, as well as earpods and headphones, while walking our Lucky Dogs is strictly prohibited. Your full attention must be on the dog you are handling and the environment around you to ensure everyone stays safe. 

5) Do not let the dog you are handling interact with any other dogs or people! Always make sure to keep your dog 10 feet apart from other dogs, even ones they know from the Refuge. This is for the safety of our dogs and for others. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

6) Please do not let our dogs eat anything off the ground or drink out of water bowls or puddles you come across on your walk. This can make them very sick. You may however bring treats for our dogs to entice them on their walks, as long as there are no dietary issues. Please always ask a staff member before giving food to our dogs. 

7) Do not interact with any dog at the Refuge except for the one you are handling. This is for your safety and the safety of our Lucky Dogs.

8) Do not open any gates to our turfs or get too close to our dogs behind the fences. Always wait for a Lucky Dog staff member to let you into the turf area if you will be volunteering there.

9) Volunteers must stick to our walking route as shown on the map below.

10) If at any point our staff feels a volunteer is not adhering to our safety protocols, a warning will be issued in person and in writing. If a volunteer gets 3 warnings, they will be dismissed from our volunteer program.