Get Involved with DBS Rescue
Supporting shelter dogs doesn't look the same for everyone and that's okay. Whether you have time, space, skills, resources, experience, or simply a desire to show up, there is a way to get involved. On this page you will learn more about the different ways you can get involved through DBS | Different Breed Solutions Rescue.
Volunteer
Shelter Support | Photographers, videographers, trainers, walkers, groomers, cleaners, dog-related services, these are where you can put your time and effort into helping dogs become "more adoptable" and find their forever homes with in-person action.
Event Support | Charismatic, dog experienced handlers, organized and crafty people with less availability or ability to reach a shelter can put skills and efforts to use with in-person actions in a community setting. (Small and big events)
Digital Support | Running pages, making phone calls, writing emails while staying organized and on point with communication, to help countless dogs, takes time, organization, and more creativity than people give credit. If you want to help but can't in person, this is your chance with digital actions!
Admin Support | We don't just work in shelters or on social media, we work behind the scenes, networking, creating resources and establishing partnership as well as new expectations for local businesses and communities to apply with intentions towards a future that not only cares for pets responsibly, but one that respects those who do.
Current open opportunities to volunteer:
- online
- offline
- in-shelter
- at events
- administrative
Special Roles: Will require more than just application approval and training, works closest with founders.
Volunteer Coordinator | Must volunteer. You will help grow and curate the volunteer program while ensuring communication and quality remain constant consistently. Works closest with founders Tessa and Justin Parker. Potential to turn into a board position IF the right person comes along and the right initiatives are shown.
Foster
Foster Support | Take action from your own home by offering a safe space for adoptable dogs to land while they continue the search for the right forever family and home. You will simply be tasked with proper routine care, identifying and noting their personality and quirks, as well as communicating updates and photos + videos to share with the world in hopes we can locate their forever home!
Special Roles: Will require more than just application approval and training, works closest with founders.
Foster Coordinator | Must be a communicator and able to dedicate focus to networking adoptable dogs between the community, shelters, and rescues. You do not have to foster to be a coordinator, but you must have experience as one. You will help grow and curate the foster network while ensuring communication and care remain constant consistently. Works closest with founders Tessa and Justin Parker. Potential to turn into a board position IF the right person comes along and the right initiatives are shown.
Donate
Your Support helps us advocate for shelter dogs through accurate storytelling, hands-on support, and community engagement + resources. They allow us to collaborate closely with shelter and rescue partners by supporting strategic adoption events, advocation through education, and creative initiatives designed to improve outcomes without adding strain to already overextended teams, not just help fund dogs tagged in our direct care.
Most importantly, consistent support allows us to continue to give dogs something they don't often get in shelter environments: time. Time to decompress, time to be seen clearly, time to learn, time to trust, and time to be matched responsibly.
In-Kind Support | Tax-deductible to the legal extent of the law. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which means this can be deducted from your taxes, not just helping to save dogs in need! The only way we currently take donations is via paypal. Every dollar helps make a difference!
Supplies | Yes, we have a wish list, these items help us not just with dogs we will tag ourselves but with the shelter dogs we are working with multiple days a week in shelters and at events! Did you know you can save receipts from your donations to use as tax-deductions (write-offs)? If you don't have a receipt but would still like a deduction, find proof of value to submit and proof of donation!
Some examples of what DBSRescue donations go towards:
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Rescue from euthanasia for at-risk dogs
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Fees and direct care including medical, housing, and supplies
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Training, enrichment, and equipment to help dogs succeed
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Adoption transition resources to set dogs and families up for success
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Strategic promotions and events online and in communities to reach the right adopters
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Hands-on work in shelters supporting staff and volunteers
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Collaborations with shelter partners to expand reach and impact
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Creation and curation to provide free or low-cost resources the community can rely on
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Ongoing support for dogs beyond those we rescue directly
Sponsor
Sponsorship comes in more than just financial forms of support, from direct dollars to help us transition dogs from shelter to safety immediately, to sponsoring events as a host, or sponsoring complete projects and builds. Every single action has an impact that allows us to help more dogs, support more shelters, and continue to improve our communities for pets and those who exist around them.
Sponsorships we are actively seeking as of July 2026:
- Direct Dog Tag Sponsors: You are the ones who are helping us pull dogs, cover their care, their vetting, their training, when necessary, even their promotions including events if needed so we don't have to require high adoption fees. This includes the basic cost to intake and care for a dog over the course of 3 months.
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Foster Home Build: We have the land, will be moved onto it by August 2026 and are immediately working to build a safe, secure, well thought out place for DBS Rescue to facilitate successful dog transitional coaching (preparing them for adoption be exposing them to home life, fostering on a multi-dog pack and operationally organized level) we have learned fosters are too hard to rely on and need our own space for when they don't come through to keep saving dogs!
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Foster Home Fencing: We are looking for multiple layers of fencing to provide the most secure and safe location for the dogs we are helping. Even though we plan on always keeping an eye when they are outside, we are aware accidents can happen to anybody at any given time.
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Dog enrichment yard items: athletic dogs are one of the most passed over dog personalities, we want to always be able to provide enrichment options to help nurture their growth and health as well as help identify if they have any potential for task, sport, or service work. (Those simple discoveries on camera can help dogs find better matched homes much faster than your redundant play yard smile and sit photos)
- Grooming Equipment: It won't just be an intake protocol hygiene and cleanliness is one of the expectations we plan to establish early on (plus we want to make sure dogs can be comfortable if taken to the groomer so once again leaning into exposure)
Not sure where you fit?
You don't have to do everything to make a difference. You just have to take a manageable bite. Whether you can give one hour a month or lead an entire project, every contribution helps us protect paws and save dogs.
Take your first bite.
Every role at DBS Rescue helps move our mission forward, explore our support teams to discover where your time, talents, and passion can make the biggest impact.
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Shelter Support: work directly alongside our shelter partners through dog walking, enrichment, cleaning, transport, coordination, behavior support, and other hands-on efforts that improve the lives of shelter animals.
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Creative Support: use your creativity to help more animals get noticed through photography, videography, graphic design, social media, writing, website updates, and storytelling.
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Event Support: help bring the community together for animal advocacy by assisting with fundraising events, adoption events, outreach booths, setup, breakdown, registration, guest engagement, adoption counseling and dog handling.
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Fundraising Support: tackle the part that keeps the mission going by researching grants, building sponsorships, organizing donation drives, supporting merchandise, and creating new fundraising opportunities!
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Administrative Support: be an integral part of the organization behind the scenes communications through scheduling, volunteer coordination, data entry, communications, organization, and project management.
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Transport Support: like to ride or drive? Consider helping to safely transport animals, supplies, and donations between shelters, veterinary clinics, foster homes, events, and rescue partners.