Opportunities From: Chicago Canine Rescue

Take a shelter pup on a Doggy Day Out and give them a break from the kennel! Whether it’s a chill car ride, some off-leash zoomies at Bosley’s Backyard, a Sniff Spot adventure, or a nature walk in the forest preserve, these field trips help our dogs decompress and shine. Every outing lowers their stress and raises their chances of getting adopted—plus, you get to hang with a very good dog for the day. Sounds like a win-win, right?

Photos, video and cute anecdotes go a long way in helping dogs be seen! We'd love to see how much fun they had!

Our staff will choose the dog for your outing — we’ll match you with one who would benefit most from a break, based on the activity you have planned.

Please note: this isn’t always a family-friendly activity, as not all dogs are comfortable around children. If you plan to bring young kids along, please email our Volunteer Coordinator (rosie@chicagocaninerescue.org) ahead of time so we can make sure it’s a good fit. 

There’s hardly a dull moment at CCR and the kennel staff is always on their feet to ensure not only that the dogs are receiving necessary care, but that the facility itself is properly maintained. It can be difficult for the staff to balance everything that needs to be done each day, so we rely heavily on volunteers to assist with some of the basic cleaning and maintenance of the facility.

When volunteering inside the shelter you’ll be responsible for cleaning and folding laundry, dishes, sweeping/mopping, and other custodial tasks as requested by CCR staff. We try to keep the grossest chores limited to the staff, but please be aware that the shelter environment is inherently loud and smelly!

Must be at least 18+ years of age.

Volunteer walkers are the primary lifeline to the outside world for the dogs in our care at CCR. So much of what we do day-to-day is only possible due to the generosity of community members who offer their time to ensure our dogs receive adequate levels of exercise and enrichment.

Typically, when walking for CCR for the first time we’ll ask about your experience and pair you with a dog that fits your comfort level.

Volunteers typically walk 3 to 4 dogs per session (for about 2 hours total), but this can vary depending on outstanding factors such as weather and the number of available dogs. We often have dogs available for 1-on-1 indoor playtime as well.

Volunteers must adhere to the walking protocol as laid out by CCR staff upon arrival to volunteer shifts.

There’s hardly a dull moment at CCR and the kennel staff is always on their feet to ensure not only that the dogs are receiving necessary care, but that the facility itself is properly maintained. It can be difficult for the staff to balance everything that needs to be done each day, so we rely heavily on volunteers to assist with some of the basic cleaning and maintenance of the facility.

When volunteering inside the shelter you’ll be responsible for cleaning and folding laundry, dishes, sweeping/mopping, and other custodial tasks as requested by CCR staff. We try to keep the grossest chores limited to the staff, but please be aware that the shelter environment is inherently loud and smelly!

Must be at least 18+ years of age.

Volunteer walkers are the primary lifeline to the outside world for the dogs in our care at CCR. So much of what we do day-to-day is only possible due to the generosity of community members who offer their time to ensure our dogs receive adequate levels of exercise and enrichment.

Typically, when walking for CCR for the first time we’ll ask about your experience and pair you with a dog that fits your comfort level.

Volunteers typically walk 3 to 4 dogs per session (for about 2 hours total), but this can vary depending on outstanding factors such as weather and the number of available dogs. We often have dogs available for 1-on-1 indoor playtime as well.

Volunteers must adhere to the walking protocol as laid out by CCR staff upon arrival to volunteer shifts.

Must be at least 18+ years of age, unless accompanied by an adult. Must be 18+ to handle the leash of a dog. 

Volunteer walkers are the primary lifeline to the outside world for the dogs in our care at CCR. So much of what we do day-to-day is only possible due to the generosity of community members who offer their time to ensure our dogs receive adequate levels of exercise and enrichment.

Typically, when walking for CCR for the first time we’ll ask about your experience and pair you with a dog that fits your comfort level.

Volunteers typically walk 3 to 4 dogs per session (for about 2 hours total), but this can vary depending on outstanding factors such as weather and the number of available dogs. We often have dogs available for 1-on-1 indoor playtime as well.

Volunteers must adhere to the walking protocol as laid out by CCR staff upon arrival to volunteer shifts.

Must be at least 18+ years of age, unless accompanied by an adult. Must be 18+ to handle the leash of a dog. 

There’s hardly a dull moment at CCR and the kennel staff is always on their feet to ensure not only that the dogs are receiving necessary care, but that the facility itself is properly maintained. It can be difficult for the staff to balance everything that needs to be done each day, so we rely heavily on volunteers to assist with some of the basic cleaning and maintenance of the facility.

When volunteering inside the shelter you’ll be responsible for cleaning and folding laundry, dishes, sweeping/mopping, and other custodial tasks as requested by CCR staff. We try to keep the grossest chores limited to the staff, but please be aware that the shelter environment is inherently loud and smelly!

Must be at least 18+ years of age.

Sign up to transport and chaperone a CCR dog as they assist in leading a Mat Pilates class at Core Chicago (3000 N. Sheffield Ave. Chicago, IL 60657)! T

This will be for their 9:00am and 10:00am classes, so you must arrive at Core no later than 8:40 am. An 8:30 am arrival would be best, so attendees can say hi and enjoy some cuddle time with the pups before class. This Pilates studio has done quite a few classes with us already, so follow their lead. Please ensure that the pups are safe, enjoying their experience, and get tons of cuddles! Please also share your volunteer experience with the group and encourage them to get involved as well. You are welcome to head back to the shelter at 11:15 am. Ensure that someone has the events bin with them. 

You may also borrow a crate from us to facilitate a safe transport if you would like to.