Get Involved
Volunteer at Zuma’s
Zumateers, Assemble!
Join the incredible team of volunteers that dedicate time and share their passion for the herd each and every day in supporting animal rescue.
Our Zumateers are the lifeblood of Zuma’s Rescue Ranch. Duties include animal welfare, feeding, mucking paddocks, rehabilitation efforts, administrative support, fundraising, teen mentoring, and more.
Together is the only way we can build a better future for horses. All experience levels are welcome!
Your time is a gift, and we are infinitely grateful that our volunteers choose to spend part of their days with us. 🤍
How to Volunteer
The first step is to register for one of our Volunteer Orientations, which are held on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9a - 12p.
We will be outside (weather permitting), so please dress appropriately. Closed-toed shoes are required at all times while at the ranch, and we highly recommend sunscreen, layers, and lots of water!
Kids under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times, and kids under the age of 18 will require a parent/guardian to sign their liability waiver.
Complete your volunteer application at the button below!
Next Steps
After completing orientation, the next step is our 2-hour Horsemanship 101 class. This session is required for all volunteers and riding students to participate in all activities that involve animal handling of any kind.
At Zuma’s, we try to keep the communication with our horses congruent with what they know. Many come to Zuma's with horse experience, which we respect and welcome! Here at the ranch, we offer specific training for our herd of trauma survivors. In order to keep the handling cues consistent for our herd, we require all to take this class to ensure we are all speaking the same language.
This class also walks you through the basics of herd welfare checks; something we ask all to do when in the presence of the Zuma’s herd.
We welcome you to book your Horsemanship 101 class by clicking the button below!
What Does A Volunteer Do?
There’s always something to do when you have a ranch full of over 60 horses and other critters to take care of!
When you volunteer at Zuma’s you could be performing any of the following tasks:
Equine Care Specialist
Join the staff in supporting the most basic of care needs of our herd. From feeding twice daily, to mucking paddocks, to stuffing the slow-feeder hay bags, each of these tasks is performed as part of our welfare protocol. Your support in these areas goes beyond just scooping poo – plus who doesn’t love working outdoors? These tasks happen seven days a week, 365 days a year, rain, snow, or shine.
Facilities Maintenance
As much as we love our horses, they do tend to break fences more often than anyone cares to admit. We love help from volunteers to ensure their habitats stay safe at all times! Volunteers in this area support everything from easy fence repairs to fixing broken shelters, snow removal and lawn mowing, and any other hands-on tasks.
Administrative Tasks
Volunteers in this area help to support our development team with all things related to what goes on “behind the scenes” at the ranch. Duties include writing donor thank you cards, calling donors and sponsors, soliciting donations, data entry, and more.
Farrier Assistant
Once volunteers have completed our Horsemanship 101 class and are confident, skilled handlers, we invite them to support our farrier days! Horses must be shuffled back and forth, blankets taken off, mud scraped from hooves, and even held for the farrier. With over 60 horses, these days happen frequently.
Teen Mentor
Kids are our future; at Zuma’s we provide many ways for adults to partner with kids in our ZEAL program to shape the next generation into compassionate and confident beings. (Special training required, must be 18+.)
Join The Board
Are you passionate about joining a cause that rescues horses and humans?
Do you have a knack for organization and leadership? Are you well connected in the Metro Denver area? Do you have skills that would benefit a nonprofit such as: marketing, public relations, web design, graphic artist, event planner, musician, therapist, horse trainer, etc.?
You might be just a perfect fit for our Board of Directors.
Support greater access to mental healthcare and therapy.
Supporting Zuma’s Rescue Ranch means supporting greater access to critical mental healthcare to the most vulnerable of our communities.
