Volunteer at Barn Sanctuary

Volunteer Information

Name*
First Last
Email*
Phone*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Why are you interested in volunteering with Barn Sanctuary?
Please indicate your level of comfort with the following volunteer activities: general cleaning (mucking pens, shared spaces, and pastures), and assisting with other on-site projects as needed. If you have any conditions that prohibit strenuous manual labor, please indicate this below.While spending time with the animal rescues is part of what makes volunteering so great, it is important to recognize that, first and foremost, volunteers are tasked with helping clean the living spaces of the rescues. PLEASE NOTE: At this time we are not seeking remote volunteers or any assistance with administrative or marketing duties.*
Please indicate your availability including as much detail as possible, such as: number of hours you wish to volunteer and days and times you are available. PLEASE NOTE: For staffing, safety, and logistical reasons, we require a minimum availability commitment of twice a month with a minimum time commitment of six months to become a regular volunteer. Availability that does not meet these requirements would be better suited for monthly open work days (please see our Facebook for specific open work dates).*
Please briefly list your education and training (name of institutions, number of years completed, diplomas or degrees you earned):
Please list any additional skills or professional experience you'd like us to consider when determining opportunities for you.
How did you hear about Barn Sanctuary
Other

** We are no longer accepting online volunteer applications for the time being. If you are interested in volunteering, please come to one of our Open Volunteer Work Days! We will continue accepting volunteer applications from anyone who comes to these Work Days.

Become a Volunteer!

Volunteer support is essential to our organization and our animals. Barn Sanctuary is always looking for amazing volunteers to help us. Volunteering at The Barn Sanctuary is truly a rewarding experience, one that you will soon not forget!

Questions? Please fill out the form to your left and we’ll get back with you as soon as possible.

Volunteer Activities

Typical volunteer activities include mucking barns and coops, raking, and pasture cleaning. Many of the animals will visit you while you complete your tasks but please remember that some tasks might not include much animal interaction. Volunteering is physically intensive, so expect to get a good workout! Please note: at this time we are not seeking remote volunteers or assistance with administrative or marketing duties.

Age Restrictions

For safety and liability purposes, all volunteers must be at least 14 years of age, no exceptions. Volunteers between the ages of 14 and 17 will need parent/guardian supervision for the duration of the day.

Time Restrictions

We ask that you be able to dedicate at least two days a month to volunteering in order to join our volunteer program. Preferably, volunteer shifts will last a minimum of two hours. If you can only commit to one day per month, there are still opportunities to visit and volunteer! Check our Facebook page for information about our next open work day: an open volunteer day for anyone who wants to visit and volunteer for a day.

Location

Please note that we are located in Chelsea, Michigan, 15 minutes west of Ann Arbor off I-94. While we will not reject volunteer applications based on location within reason, please do keep distance in mind when applying. We recommend ensuring you have reliable transportation and live within a radius that reasonably allows you to adhere to our minimum availability requirements (twice a month). Please also bear in mind that we do not have available space for volunteers to stay on property.

Volunteering Tips

Bring clothes and boots that are weatherproof and that you don’t mind getting muddy, and work gloves if you have them. Check the weather forecast for zip code 48118 and dress appropriately. Rugged boots (not sneakers) are a must. Don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen in the summer. We encourage you to pack a vegan brown bag lunch — no meat, eggs, or dairy please, out of respect for the animals.

Please note that diseases occur naturally among farm animals. Although the chances of such diseases occurring in a factory farm are greater than they are at a sanctuary with standards as high as ours, it can still happen. And some such diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans. Pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are at higher risk. Pregnant women should not handle calves, kids (baby goats) or lambs younger than four months old, or mother animals who have given birth in the previous four weeks. Volunteers working directly with animals or in areas where animals live and produce waste should wear gloves and face masks. All visitors and volunteers should practice excellent hygiene after performing such work, by thoroughly washing their hands and scrubbing the bottoms of their shoes with antibacterial agents – especially prior to touching their faces or eating. And ideally, it’s a good idea to change clothes before spending time back in your home after a visit to the sanctuary.

Though we always appreciate it when people from out of town attend monthly open work days to volunteer with us, we are currently unable to offer room and board for volunteers and we are not affiliated with WWOOF.

Volunteer With Us!

Volunteer Information

Become a Volunteer!