R.A.S.T.A.

As a Strictly Volunteer-Based Organization, R.A.S.T.A. has many volunteer opportunities available to motivated and reliable people that are serious about wanting to help.

“We can not do great things…only small things with great love”

~ Mother Theresa ~

1. Farm Chores

This includes helping clean stalls, scrubbing out water troughs & pools, carrying in 50lb. sacks of feed to the barn, sorting donated fruits & veggies, filling in holes in the pastures, fixing fences, building shelters, feeding the animals (carrying 65lb. bales of hay), grooming the animals, planting trees & shelter belts, etc.  As the majority of the animals at the R.A.S.T.A. Sanctuary are large farm animals, most of the work in caring for them is heavy manual labor.  We do not have the luxury of having machines at the Sanctuary and thus the majority of the work is done by hand.  Volunteers that are interested in helping out with the hands on work of caring for the animals need to be reliable (regardless of weather conditions), have their own transportation, be in relatively decent physical shape and able to do some heavy lifting.

2. Fund Raising

This is an area of tremendous need as raising funds for farm animal rescue and protection in Alberta can be very challenging.  We are seeking motivated and independent individuals to help plan as well as host fund raisers, free of animal products (meat, fur, etc.) for the Sanctuary.  This includes but is not limited to making Handmade Crafts & Homemade Vegan Treats to Sell, Hosting Social Functions in R.A.S.T.A.’s Honor (Birthday parties, Dinners, etc.) and Collecting Donations from Guests, Raffles, Garage Sales, Bottle Drives, Distributing & Collecting Donation Boxes, etc.

3. Grant Writing

Again, an area of great need as bringing in money to care for the many animals that R.A.S.T.A. helps through its rescue and education efforts is desperately needed.  Here we are looking for reliable and independent individuals to research and apply for various animal welfare grants.  Volunteers interested in helping put together grant proposals do not need to have any prior grant application experience.  However, some degree of basic computer skills are required.

4. Newsletter Editor

In this area we are looking for an individual or committed team of people to help with creating and maintaining a quarterly R.A.S.T.A. Newsletter as well as a few other publications.

5. Education

Once again, an area of tremendous need; we are looking for individuals who can work collectively to put together educational presentations, brochures and informative packages for children of various ages, as well as adults, regarding the necessity of farm animal rescue and advocacy. We are looking for people to talk to schools, clubs, etc. about the work that R.A.S.T.A. does and its importance.  Volunteers interested in assisting in this field need to have some basic knowledge of the modernized factory farming industry and some current animal welfare issues.

6. Donation Pick Ups

Brutus Fund Raising & Educating at the Millarville Farmer's Market

Here we are looking for dependable and punctual individuals with their own transportation to do regular pick ups of donations (dog food, cat food, pet beds, blankets, towels, etc.) from various locations throughout Calgary and bring them out to The R.A.S.T.A. Sanctuary in De Winton.

7. Tabling

During the summer months as well as at Christmas time we need help with tabling in various locations throughout Calgary and surrounding areas.  Here we are looking for honest and reliable people to represent R.A.S.T.A. in a professional manner for the purpose of  raising funds and awareness for Animal Welfare.

8. Computer Help

In efforts of expanding R.A.S.T.A.’s educational reach, we need a volunteer(s) to help with adding R.A.S.T.A. to various networking sites such as Facebook, My Space, Flickr, etc. and maintaining updates on a monthly basis.  We are also looking for help with our website.

9. Handyman

Here we are looking for a somewhat experienced and knowledgeable volunteer to help with basic repairs and small building projects (ex. fixing fences, installing gates, building scratching posts for the large animals,  playgrounds for the goats, etc.).