NEARR
About Us
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Help Us
Volunteer for NEARR
We always need volunteers throughout the Northeast to help out with various tasks. Below is a list of some of the ways you can help out, and we're always open to suggestions if you have other talents to share with NEARR! To learn more, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator for details. If you are interested in understanding how your help makes a difference, please check out the placement and A NEARR Dog's Tale pages. It takes many, many volunteers to save a dog!
To apply at be a NEARR volunteer, please fill out the volunteer form. Unfortunately we cannot accept volunteers under the age of 18. If you are a minor and wish to volunteer, we recommend that you use Petfinder to find a local shelter and ask them if you can help. Shelters often need help with dog walking, socialization, cage cleaning, etc.
There are literally hundreds of ways to help. If none of the ideas below strikes your fancy, check out 102 ways to help rescue. Any assistance, at any level, would be greatly appreciated.
Foster a Retriever/Retriever Mix
NEARR is always looking for qualified, committed foster homes. The more foster families we have available, the more dogs we are able to save. If you are interested in fostering a rescued retriever, please review our foster information. Apply using the foster application form.Conduct Phone Interviews with Applicants
Each suitable applicant receives a phone call from a NEARR volunteer to discuss their application, answer any questions they have about NEARR, retrievers, or adoption. Training is provided.Home Visits
Once a potential match between an applicant and a dog has been made, a NEARR volunteer visits the home of the applicant. A home visit form is provided along with specific instructions.Transport Retrievers
We get most of our dogs from overcrowded shelters in the Northeast or from owners that are no longer able to keep their dogs. We are desperately in need of people to transport these dogs from the shelter/owner to their foster home. Transports usually involve several "legs" and often involve volunteers from more than one state. Sometimes there is little warning before the dogs are to be put to sleep - if we cannot get the dog transported to its foster home, we cannot save them.Volunteer at Adoption Days/Events
Adoption days are arranged and run by a NEARR board member and are usually held at local pet stores. NEARR is also invited to participate in many regional events hosted by other rescues or shelters. Volunteers are needed to handle dogs at these events, answer questions from potential adopters, and occasionally transport dogs from foster homes to adoption day/event.Fundraising/Donations
Help out with fundraising, soliciting donations, and planning events! If you wish to volunteer with your wallet, please visit our donations page.Become a NEARR Member
Membership provides us with a committed group of volunteers, retriever lovers, adoptive homes, all coming together to save dogs. The membership dues help us with medical care, communication tools, and foster resources. For more information on becoming a member, go to our membership page.Voicemail: (617)-824-4278
nearr@nearr.com