We are always in need of and forever indebted to our lovely volunteers. Here are just a few ways that you can help. If you see a good match for your talents and time, please emal Dawn at info@istreetdog.com. or give her a call at 414-426-4148. Have an idea of how to help that’s not here? Let us know! Thank you!
FOSTER HOMES
Usually we find homes in advance of a dog’s arrival, but sometimes a dog must fly before a family is found, or sometimes a dog and adopter are not a well-suited match and the dog is returned to ISDF. The alternative to a foster home is boarding, which is not conducive to continuing previous groundwork of socialization and house manners of a street dog. Foster homes are one of our most urgent needs and one of the most CRITICAL ways you can help our organization. We provide crate, bedding, bowls, dog food, medical care (pre-approval required for visits), collar, leash, basic toys and chews. Time commitment: our dogs average approximately 1-3 weeks before permanent placement is found. If interested in fostering, please read, download, and fill out the foster care agreement and email it to Dawn.
FLIGHT VOLUNTEERS
Flight volunteers SAVE lives and lots of money. A dog can travel with a passenger as checked luggage for 20% of the cost of traveling cargo. It is essential for rescue groups to use flight volunteers for international flights in order to manage costs and enable us to stay afloat financially. We are always looking for people traveling from New Delhi, Caracas, Bangkok, Muscat, Tunis, Kuala Lumpur, and Istanbul to Chicago, IL. We have an urgent need at the moment for Bangkok and New Dehli flight volunteers. If you are traveling on business or pleasure from these locations into Chicago, there is no additional cost for you for the dogs’ flights. All dogs’ flight logistics are handled by ISDF. All you need to save a life iis to let a dog/s travel on your flight ticket as excess baggage and arrive an hour early for check-in. ISDF staff or volunteers will meet you at your arrival hall and take over from there!
EVENT VOLUNTEERS
We are always in need of an ISDF representative at our monthly Niles Petsmart adoption/information event. Man our monthly Petsmart booth for us and help spread the word about our work while showcasing and socializing a current adoptable dog at the same time. We will work alongside you and train you until you feel ready to handle this event without assistance. We provide brochures, flyers, business cards, and merchandise for sale. Petsmart provides treats for our adoptable dog and a table with two chairs. A team of two volunteers would be great. Two rotating teams would be even better, so they only need to do every other month, and we know we are always covered in a pinch. Time commitment: 3 – 4 hours on the second Saturday of each month.
ADOPTION FOLLOW-UP
Ideally, we would like to check in with our adopters once a week for the first month, once a month for the following few months, and then at least twice yearly thereafter (more if the adopters are having issues with their new pet). A friendly “Hello, just checking in! Please let me know you received this and whether all is well with your new pet” is basically what we’re looking for. Adopters that respond with concerns can be referred to our directors and trainers for advice and assistance. Strong organizational skills are a plus, as we would like to check in with all of our adoptees on the graded time schedule mentioned above. Time commitment: 30 minutes per week.
FUNDRAISING HELP
So many dogs in need, so little money. We desperately need help from folks who are good at raising dinero. Are you talented at organizing events? Do you know how to run online auctions or do you like to host yard sales? Do you have a skill set or goods that you would be willing to offer up as a charity auction item? Fundraising ideas are unlimited – bounce yours off us and let’s see what we can do with them! Time commitment: varies, depending on events.