VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
What is a volunteer? A volunteer is a person who does some act without being under any obligation to do so and without being promised any compensation or remuneration for his or her services.
All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc. (AAE) is a 100% volunteer organization, and volunteer support is responsible and necessary for its success. We could not exist as we do without the timeless giving and tremendous efforts of our equine loving friends.
We have a multitude of needs, and we can likely find something for everyone: horse care (feeding, cleaning stalls and paddocks, filling and cleaning water troughs, and other tasks that need to be completed on a daily basis); facility maintenance (barn maintenance, fence checks, fence installation and repairs, weed control, tree maintenance, hazard watch, general maintenance and repairs, and other typical activities); fundraising, grant research and writing; administration/organization, outreach; events; special projects; etc. We need help with trailering/transportation, coordinating volunteers, event organization, processing adoption applications, checking references, doing site visits, and follow-up visits. We also have a need for very experienced riders, trainers, and handlers for horse training and development (grooming and hoof care, socialization, halter training, groundwork, saddle training, exercising, riding, and other related activities), as well as people with experience dealing with sick or injured horses. If you are not sure where you fit in, we can discuss to find out where your skills are best suited.
Volunteers that wish to work directly with horses are required to complete AAE’s Horsemanship 1A Orientation/Basic Safety training, which introduces the volunteer to AAE’s basic handling and safety practices to ensure volunteers are handling AAE’s horses utilizing AAE’s handling style, as well as employing basic safe handling practices. The cost for the orientation/training is $35.
AAE operates entirely by private donations and fundraising efforts. Due to the significant operational costs involved, including the insurance needed to utilize the help of volunteers, AAE also requests a $25 annual donation from each of our volunteers to help defray our insurance costs. Without insurance, we could not offer our volunteer opportunities (or implement new programs), and without volunteers, we could not do what we do. However, AAE does not want this to be a limiting factor. If the donation is not financially feasible, we offer fundraising options or volunteer “scholarships” on a case-by-case basis.
Volunteers will receive an AAE t-shirt, and the t-shirt should be worn while participating at AAE or in any AAE event. Due to the nature of general area/habitat and working with horses, for volunteer safety, AAE requires that all volunteers wear jeans and leather boots. AAE also suggests long sleeves, gloves, a hat, and sun/safety glasses, when and where appropriate. Additionally, due to the inherent risk associated with horse-related activities, AAE suggests volunteers have valid health insurance policy before participating in volunteer activities.
Thank you for caring about the horses!!
Volunteer Needs
Accountant/Bookkeeper
As a non-profit organization, it’s imperative that we have excellent record-keeping and sound accounting practices. It would be most helpful to have the guidance and support of an accountant and/or experienced bookkeeper with non-profit expertise.
Advertising
Opportunities abound. We have a various advertising possibilities at the facility, on the website, in the newsletter, and other potential sources. If you have advertising sales experience, we need you. We would like to have sponsors to name our barn, stalls, paddocks, and pastures. We’d also like to find sponsors for other programs in the works.
Animal Care and Handling
Most of our horses will have been through challenging times, and they deserve the best of care. The horses can never get enough attention, whether it’s through feeding, grooming, handling, cleaning stalls and paddocks, walking, riding, or just getting a little love. Many of our horses are not “experienced”, therefore, they will need experienced handlers to help show them the way. If you are an experienced handler, we need you! During the week, we typically feed and care for the horses from 9a to noon and 3p to dark. On the weekends and holidays, we’re typically horsing around from 9a until dark. We do NOT have an “open barn” policy and schedule volunteers by appointment only, so please plan ahead and schedule in advance.
Facility Maintenance
There’s always something that needs to be done around the barn or pastures. If you can help with minor repairs or maintenance such as waterer/plumbing repairs, structure repairs, feeder repairs, fence or gate repairs, tree trimming, cutting downed trees, replacing lights, or other unexpected repairs, we could sure use your help. Our hay/storage barn needs major help. We also need occasional help installing new fencing, re-configuring panels, setting things up, taking things, down, weed control, and the like. There’s always facility “beautification” projects that need to be done, too. Anything will help.
Events/Volunteer Scheduling Coordinator
Scheduling events and volunteers can be a big challenge. We will need someone to help coordinate our scheduling calendars to make sure things go as planned and we are not short staffed. This could be multiple persons working together, one for events, one for facilities, one for volunteers, one for horse care/training, etc. If you are good at keeping a smooth schedule, we need you.
Farrier
Our rescue horses should have their hooves evaluated upon intake, and they need regular hoof care. Farrier costs add up quickly, and the hoof needs of the herd is a regular zap on our funds. If you can donate hoof care for one horse, one day of services, a discount on services, or otherwise help defray farrier costs in any way, your support will be greatly appreciated.
Fundraising/Development
The size and success of our program depends on our ability to secure the funds we need to sustain our program and grow when we can. There are endless ways to raise funds, it just takes time, effort, and persistence. If you have experience with a certain program or want to learn, we can use all the help we can get.
Grant Research and Writing
There are grants out there, and we need them. There are numerous grant programs available, but research and writing takes time and experience. If you have researched grants or done grant writing, we need you. Please join our grants team, even if you can only tackle one.
Graphic Designer
Creative professional needed to assist with various design needs such as a logo, advertising/marketing materials, website graphics, miscellaneous print media, retail products, etc. Can you help with just one?
Media/Public Relations/Outreach
Media opportunities abound, and we need community support. Support of one or more experienced PR professional to help guide us would be invaluable.
Program Leaders/Liasons
There are numerous programs we can establish to benefit the horses and the rescue, along with the community. We are open to your ideas and willing to embrace and support programs that benefit the horses and the rescue in some way. Bring your ideas or make ours become a reality.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us, and let us know your interests.