RAGOM

Volunteer with RAGOM

Volunteers are the heart of RAGOM. Every dog we rescue depends on people willing to share their time, talents, and compassion. Whether you can open your home, drive a transport, complete home visits, or lend your professional skills, there’s a place for you on our team.

Most volunteer roles can be done from anywhere. Foster homes, however, must be located within our five-state service area: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Western Wisconsin.

Apply to Volunteer

Foster Homes

Be the bridge between rescue and forever.

Foster homes provide a safe, loving place for dogs while they wait for adoption. During their stay, foster families help us learn each dog’s personality, needs, and ideal forever home.

You’ll provide daily care, attend veterinary appointments, work on basic manners, and share updates with our adoption team. Every foster is supported by experienced RAGOM volunteers and staff—you are never doing it alone.

You’ll help by:

  • Providing a safe, loving home
  • Feeding, exercising, and caring for the dog
  • Transporting to veterinary appointments
  • Working on basic training and confidence
  • Sharing photos and updates
  • Helping identify the best forever family

Transport Volunteers

Every journey starts with a ride.

Many dogs begin their RAGOM journey hundreds of miles from their foster home. Transport volunteers help move dogs safely from shelters, owners, veterinary clinics, or partner rescues into foster care.

Whether you can drive across town or across state lines, every mile matters.

Transport Drivers

  • Pick up and safely transport dogs
  • Ensure dogs travel comfortably and securely
  • Communicate with the transport team
  • Local, regional, and interstate opportunities available

Transport Coordinators

Coordinate volunteer drivers, plan routes, and keep transports running smoothly from beginning to end.

Home Visit Volunteers

Help make great matches happen.

Home Visit volunteers meet with prospective adopters in their homes to get to know the family, answer questions, and learn more about the environment where a RAGOM dog would live. Your observations help us determine whether the home is a safe, secure, and loving fit for a rescue dog, while also giving adopters a better understanding of RAGOM and the adoption process.



More Ways to Make a Difference

Not every volunteer works directly with dogs. RAGOM relies on people with a wide variety of skills to keep our organization running smoothly. Whether you enjoy working with people, organizing behind the scenes, or lending your professional expertise, there’s a role for you.

  • Administrative Support: Assist with operational tasks, email, and voicemail.
  • Behavioral Services: Provide training and behavior guidance to foster families.
  • Community Outreach: Share RAGOM’s mission through education, partnerships, and community programs.
  • Dogs in Boarding: Visit, walk, and socialize dogs awaiting foster placement.
  • Events: Help plan and support community events.
  • Social Media: Create content and share RAGOM’s dogs and mission online.
  • Technology: Provide technical support and assist with Google Workspace and other digital tools.
  • Veterinary Services: Provide medical guidance and support to foster families.
  • Volunteer Services:  Welcome, onboard, and recognize RAGOM volunteers.

Not sure where you fit? We’d love to help you find the perfect role.

Contact us at rescue@ragom.org to learn more.

Become a RAGOM Volunteer

Whether you have a few hours each month or want to take on a larger role, we’d love to have you on our team. Complete a short volunteer application, and we’ll be in touch to help you get started.

Apply to Volunteer