How to Volunteer with SARDOM and What Positions Are Available

SARDOM (Search and Rescue Dogs of Maryland) is an all-volunteer, non-profit search and rescue organization that uses air-scenting dogs. If you want to get involved, the starting point is the "Start Volunteering Today!" section on sardom.org, which links to a "Volunteer Positions" page. The site confirms that K9 teams, support staff, officers, and directors are all volunteers, so there are both dog-handler and non-handler roles to consider. Because the site does not publish a detailed position list or application form on its home page, you will need to visit the Volunteer Positions page directly to see current openings and requirements.

What SARDOM Does

SARDOM is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to law enforcement, fire/rescue, or any official agency charged with locating, rescuing, or recovering missing persons. The organization fields air-scenting dogs and operates entirely through volunteers, with no paid employees. This matters for prospective volunteers because it means the work is mission-driven and unpaid, and training and operations are funded by public donations rather than staff budgets.

Volunteer Roles to Expect

Based on the site's own description, SARDOM's volunteer structure includes:

The site does not list specific job titles, time commitments, or prerequisites on the home page. To see actual open positions, go to the "Volunteer Positions" page linked from the main navigation.

How to Start Volunteering

1. Go to sardom.org and find the "Start Volunteering Today!" section or the "Volunteer Positions" link in the navigation.
2. Review the listed positions to find one that matches your interest — whether that is handling a dog, providing support, or taking on an organizational role.
3. Follow the instructions on that page to express interest or apply. The site's home page does not include an application form, so the Volunteer Positions page is the authoritative source for next steps.

If you have questions that the Volunteer Positions page does not answer, the site provides a "Contact" link you can use to reach the organization directly.

What to Know Before You Apply

• All roles are unpaid. SARDOM states that its K9 teams, support staff, officers, and directors are all volunteers, and it has no paid employees.
• The organization is donation-funded. SARDOM says it is supported wholly by public generosity, and donations go toward operations and training. This is context for the kind of commitment you are signing up for.
• The emergency line is not for volunteer inquiries. The 24-hour toll-free number (1.866.930.4680) is intended for official agencies to request search and rescue services, not for prospective volunteers to ask about joining. Use the Contact page instead.

Common Questions

Do I need my own dog to volunteer? The site does not specify. Since SARDOM uses air-scenting dogs and lists K9 teams as one volunteer category, dog handling is clearly one path, but support staff, officer, and director roles suggest non-dog options exist. Check the Volunteer Positions page for specifics.

Is there an age requirement or training program? The home page does not state age limits, training timelines, or certification requirements. These details would need to come from the Volunteer Positions page or a direct inquiry through the Contact link.

Can I volunteer if I am not in Maryland? The site does not address geographic eligibility. Given that SARDOM is a Maryland-based search and rescue organization, proximity likely matters for operational roles, but the site does not confirm this either way.