Volunteering at Mills River Rescue and Sanctuary

April is National Volunteer Month! Check out our video of our amazing team of volunteers in action.

Do you love animals?

Would you love to volunteer to help the rescue? We are always looking to add to our team of committed volunteers. Volunteers are so greatly needed for the day to day care of the animals. Our volunteers make Mills River Rescue a success!

Click on the picture below to find out more important details about volunteering at Mills River Rescue!
Volunteer's with Patti- Stacey, Shannon, Lynn, Kate and of course Mitch, the barn manager, Barbie, and Little Louie.

Volunteer's with Patti- Stacey, Shannon, Lynn, Kate and of course Mitch, the barn manager, Barbie, and Little Louie.

Linda on the manure and shavings piled in our dumpster that is taken away weekly.

Linda on the manure and shavings piled in our dumpster that is taken away weekly.

Lining up feed buckets and getting ready to feed dinner.

Lining up feed buckets and getting ready to feed dinner.

Charlotte emptying muck bucket into our old manure trailer. Now we need a dumpster!!!

Charlotte emptying muck bucket into our old manure trailer. Now we need a dumpster!!!

Volunteers, Sue Freedman, Vicki Shaw, and Marilyn O'Connell sporting our MRR t-shirts.

Volunteers, Sue Freedman, Vicki Shaw, and Marilyn O'Connell sporting our MRR t-shirts.

Sweetness' sponsor, Cheryl helping her finish her breakfast.

Sweetness' sponsor, Cheryl helping her finish her breakfast.

Volunteers working the late afternoon shift feeding everyone.

Volunteers working the late afternoon shift feeding everyone.

Nancy working hard even in the pouring rain.

Nancy working hard even in the pouring rain.

Meg and Camille working with Precious and Poppy.

Meg and Camille working with Precious and Poppy.

PM Voluntee cleaning up after Cheeco and Duncan.

PM Voluntee cleaning up after Cheeco and Duncan.

Liz giving Poppy a warm mash on a very cold day.

Liz giving Poppy a warm mash on a very cold day.

Deb working with Buddy during a volunteer training.

Deb working with Buddy during a volunteer training.

Volunteer, Robin, Sue, Deb and Linda are all learning about leading, gates and safety.

Volunteer, Robin, Sue, Deb and Linda are all learning about leading, gates and safety.

Linda checking under Romeo's blanket to make sure he isn't too warm.

Linda checking under Romeo's blanket to make sure he isn't too warm.

Mike, Linda and Lynn hanging out with Romeo.

Mike, Linda and Lynn hanging out with Romeo.

Linda and Linda taking care of the water buckets.

Linda and Linda taking care of the water buckets.

Linda and Camille emptying muck buckets.

Linda and Camille emptying muck buckets.

Volunteer Kim, running The Price is Right game at a senior Tea Party.

Volunteer Kim, running The Price is Right game at a senior Tea Party.

Volunteer Testimonials

  • After retiring from 34 years of teaching, I knew I wanted to volunteer with horses. While searching for a farm to volunteer at I saw a post on FB about a dangerous and scared donkey that had been saved from a kill pen by Mills River Rescue. I instantly knew this was where I needed to be! I immediately fell in love with Grace, the standard donkey and all the other little ponies. Now after almost 5 years, I am still helping the rescue fundraise to support the animals. Watching these ponies and donkeys heal and trust again is so rewarding.

    Janice Schofield

  • I looked into volunteering at Mills River shortly after becoming an empty nester looking for a productive way to fill my time.  I love animals and I grew up around horses but did not want the responsibility of owning more than my two cats.  Getting up early for my Saturday morning shifts has become one of the highlights of my week- I am moving my body, taking my steps and working my muscles while connecting with like minded people.  The farm could not be more dear to the hearts of the owner and volunteers, the animals could not be more loved or well looked after, and its wildly entertaining between tasks to “animal watch” the interaction between the array of chickens, rabbits, and geese who are living their best life at Mill River Rescue!

    Stacey Kuehn

  • Simply magical! Volunteering with the amazing staff and all the precious animals make all your cares and worries disappear.

    Carol Doane Stada

  • Volunteering at the Mills River Rescue is such a positive experience. Helping to make the lives of these horses, ponies, and donkeys better, makes our lives better in return. Sometimes watching them soaking up the sun in the ring , or contently eating their hay can give the same kind of calm to your spirit as meditating. I wish animals everywhere had the same loving care they have here.

    Betsy Lane Mason

  • Volunteer work is so rewarding and when you are working along side an amazing group of compassionate, hard working, funny and loving people it makes a world of difference. Working with these animals is one of the most rewarding things in life. Watching the animals rehabbed and come back from horrible rescue situations, watching them grow into who they are and getting that first nose nudge, body lean, head resting on you from and animal who was once terrified of humans, is truly an amazing experience. Seeing the trust and bond form is an experience like no other.

    Jennifer Harrington

  • When I started volunteering at the Mills River Rescue, I had absolutely no experience working with horses, donkeys or ponies. The staff were so patient and the animals so gentle that I felt at home there in no time. I can't believe how much I have learned in the relatively short period of time I have worked there. Afternoons spent at the farm bring me incredible peace and a feeling of goodness. Beyond that, the animals and the fellow volunteers are just plain fun to be around.

    Cindy Buchanan

  • I have been a volunteer for two and a half years and have loved every shift I have worked. Everyone on the farm loves being there and works hard to give all the animals a safe, healthy, and peaceful place to live. The fundraising events are an absolute pleasure to be a part of. The joy these animals bring to the children and our adult guests is amazing to see. The ponies, horses, and donkeys all have different personalities. Once you gain their trust, they become part of your family and will greet you with hugs and kisses every shift.

    David Brown

  • I was looking for a way to give back to my community when I saw a Facebook post about Mills River Rescue looking for volunteers. I had no real experience with horses, ponies or donkeys other than admiring them from afar. I reached out and next thing I know it has almost been a year since I started volunteering. I even bring my husband when he isn't working. We both love the peace and laughter it brings to us when we are there. The animals are just the best! I have been involved with walking in parades to bring awareness to our little rescue and the response from the public and especially the children is overwhelming. Miss River is a special place.

    Kimberly Jane

  • Even though I have had a lot of experience with owning and taking care of horse, those horses were healthy and not traumatized. Volunteering at Mills River has shown me the other side of the horse world. Taking care of the traumatized, the diabetic, the laminitic and the unwanted horses, ponies, and donkeys has enriched my life in many ways. I am always eager to get to the barn and I am very content on my way home. Patti Maroney has shown me, through her dedication to these horses, how to be a better person. She has also taught me how to take care of these equines through medication, high quality food, patience, kindness, and orthopedic boots! We volunteers have formed a bond based on our love of the horses and our respect and admiration for Patti. If you want to fill a void in your life, come volunteer at Mills River and join our wonderful family!

    Meg Sheehy

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