WHY A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue Exists:
We founded our rescue after working in other shelters and rescues and seeing the same heartbreaking pattern: good, well-meaning people being turned away without even a conversation. We watched great potential adopters overlooked because of outdated rules and rigid expectations, while animals sat in kennels waiting for the mythical “perfect” home. Meanwhile, those turned away often ended up at breeders — and who could blame them? They were trying to do the right thing and were told they weren’t good enough.
We realized the system was failing both people and animals, and it wasn’t really about the animals’ safety — it was about the peoples’ fears.
So we started our own rescue, one built on conversation, not judgment, and rooted in the belief that adoption should be accessible, educational, and welcoming. That shift allows us to match more animals with adopters based on genuine connection, not unrealistic perfection — saving more lives, encouraging adoption over shopping, and helping people feel seen, supported, and proud to welcome a pet into their lives.
ABOUT A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue and WHAT we are doing:
In just a couple years as a 501(c)(3), we’ve rescued hundreds of dogs and cats from all over the country—including Puerto Rico—and placed them in loving homes that fit their needs as well as the needs of their new humans! What started as a reaction to the unnecessary gatekeeping and outdated norms in animal rescue has become a growing movement to make adoption easier, more inclusive, flexible, and rooted in empathy and education.
We’ve built a strong and expanding network of passionate volunteers, partnered with local vets and businesses, and made a real mark in the community. One of our most memorable rescues—a 7-week-old kitten trapped inside a scorching car engine—was featured in The MoCo Show as a symbol of quick action, collaboration, and heart. Read the story here: https://mocoshow.com/2025/06/30/cat-rescued-from-car-engine-in-extreme-heat/
We’ve been honored by the trust adopters place in us, reflected in glowing Yelp and Google reviews, and we’re only just getting started.
Our goals go beyond our own rescue: we aim to shift the animal welfare field itself—advocating for nonjudgmental conversations, educating the community about animal welfare topics such as vetting and training/animal behavior, and eliminating barriers deeply rooted in fear and/or bias, including racial prejudice in adoption and foster approvals. We believe rescue should feel accessible, supportive, and human—because when we do better for people, we do better for animals.
What a "day in the life" of an outreach manager will look like:
From your very first day as Outreach
Manager, you’ll become the voice and connector of our mission—helping build
bridges between our rescue, the community, and potential supporters. You’ll
start by familiarizing yourself with our messaging platforms (Slack, Google
Workspace), creative tools (Canva Pro), and project systems, and then hit the
ground running with email and social media communications. Early days will
include learning our tone, meeting our team, and understanding our goals.
As you settle in, your skills in public relations, social media engagement, and
sales will come to life through managing campaigns, promoting events,
responding to inquiries, and cultivating partnerships with donors and the
public. You’ll juggle tasks, brainstorm creative outreach ideas, and represent
AHOTO across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn—all while keeping a
persuasive, mission-first voice.
Over time, you’ll become a key part of our growth by bringing energy, strategy,
and heart into every connection you make. Passion for animal rescue drives
everything here, and your role helps ensure that every animal’s story is not
only told but heard.
Qualifications & Experience Necessary:
- Based in the United States
- Available to respond to emails/messaging/inquiries within 24 hours
- Willing to learn or current familiarity with certain tech tools/software helpful (i.e. PMS Systems, Slack, Canva Pro, Google Workspace, etc.)
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience in public relations and community outreach
- Experience with social media engagement (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Ability to manage projects and prioritize tasks
- Sales experience and a persuasive attitude
- Passion for animal welfare and rescue
- Self-motivated and able to work independently
- Experience in the non-profit sector is a plus
- Knowledge of animal behavior and training is a plus
Our process/next steps:
Complete the brief
form here:
https://forms.gle/r4EcYR27q8xAjeTw5
- Application is received and qualifications/submitted credentials reviewed.
- Informal interview will take place on Zoom/Google Meet.
- An interview will be scheduled with a member on the board.
- Recommendations are submitted to the remaining relevant board members.
- AHOTO staff will reach out with an acceptance, rejection, or remaining requests.
Volunteer Perks
- Lead a vital area of the organization and directly influence outcomes.
- Collaborate closely with other managers and directors to shape rescue-wide systems and culture.
- Grow leadership, operations, and project management skills in a mission-driven environment.
- Be seen as a go-to expert and trusted leader within the rescue community.
- Make high-impact decisions that save lives and strengthen community ties.
- Receive support, mentoring, and recognition from both peers and the board.
Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.
