ANIMALS: Adoption Event Dog Handler in Rancho Santa Fe

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Help dogs find their forever homes by volunteering at an adoption event with A Way Home for Dogs. The more hands they have, the more dogs get to attend since they do not place dogs in enclosures at adoption events. They have a 1 dog per handler ratio and all dogs are on a leash.

This event takes place at the Holiday Market hosted by Invita Cafe in Rancho Santa Fe. Volunteers will hold leashes for adoptable dogs, wander around the market and/or the general vicinity. Chairs are provided to sit in under canopies.

Opportunity Requirements & Important Notes

Attire: Whatever you are comfortable in that won't offend anyone attending the event. This opportunity takes place outdoors with little or no shade. Volunteers should wear sun protection such as sunscreen and a hat.

Bring: Water and food if you don't want to order from Invita Cafe. Treat pouch if you have one already.

Physical Requirements: Able to hold a dog leash with the loop around a wrist and grip the excess. This project is able to make accommodations for individuals with physical limitations. Dogs of various strength will be in attendance and their team can easily fit a dog's strength with your abilities. If you have physical limitations please let the Opportunity Coordinator know at least 24 hours before the event so they can bring an appropriate dog. Vision and hearing will be needed for their events due to dog behaviors. They can provide foldable camping chairs for those who cannot stand for long periods of time. The space where this project takes place is wheelchair accessible. A lap dog or more sedentary dog can be brought for wheelchair users.

Waiver: All volunteers are required to fill out the A Way Home for Dogs waiver prior to their first shift. You'll need to date and initial the 1st page, read through the 2nd page, and provide your signature, the current date, your address and phone number, emergency contact name and phone number on page 3.

Weather: All of their events are rain or shine. In the event the Event Host cancels, they will text and email all scheduled volunteers. Make sure your phone number is up-to-date in your HandsOn San Diego account.

Photos: Take as many photos as you want and post them on your social media platforms. IF you don't want your photo taken, please let the A Way Home for Dogs team know (and remind them).

Note: You must download the HandsOn Connect app to your smart device to electronically sign the waiver and check in at this volunteer opportunity. The HandsOn Connect App can be downloaded from the Apple Store and Google Play. Volunteers that do not sign in will automatically be marked as not attending at midnight the day of their shift.

About A Way Home For Dogs

The mission of A Way Home For Dogs is to provide free pet recovery services assisting owners with their lost pets on a global scale, as well as securing evasive street strays. When the strays are secured, they process them through the local shelter system. If those dogs don't get claimed and are deemed not adoptable, they enter them into their rescue, pending space. A Way Home for Dogs gives the dogs the time they need to decompress and show them who they are, before they start the rehabilitation process.