Animal Friends of the Valleys
SHELTER VOLUNTEER PROCEDURES AND WORK AGREEMENT
1. Volunteers must be at work on time and work scheduled hours. If you cannot, please call!
2. Please do not discuss policies, procedures or detailed information regarding the animals with the public. Refer the public to the office with any questions they may have.
3. Volunteers must dress appropriately. This includes:
a. Sturdy shoes or boots. No sandals or open-toed shoes.
b. Shirt/blouse that has sleeves.
c. Sturdy long shorts (at least mid-thigh) or pants.
d. Bring jacket or sweater, since we are an outdoor facility.
e. Limit jewelry to a watch and rings. No chains above the neck, dangling earrings, or decorative ties that hang in the hair.
4. The shelter manager, kennel supervisors or the office manager will direct you in your duties.
5. Volunteers must follow all safety guidelines. NEVER enter a kennel or cage that says, “CAUTION” on the pen card. NO VOLUNTEER MAY OPEN A CAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION. If a volunteer does so, he/she will be immediately dismissed and asked to leave. This is for the safety of the volunteers, staff and animals.
6. Volunteers under 16 years of age are NOT allowed to handle the animals. Part of their assignment will include assisting in the office and/or assisting people who are looking for a new pet by showing them around.
7. There are many tasks at the shelter that need to be completed daily. Many of these tasks do not require handling of the animals. Please understand that opening newspapers for cages, washing dishes, raking the grounds etc., are all important things that need to be done daily for the animals.
8. Volunteers over 16 years of age WILL be permitted to handle the animals, under supervision of a staff person. Volunteers will NOT use or possess alcohol or illegal drugs. Parents or guardian of youth volunteers will be contacted, and the volunteers will be dismissed from their assignment. Any volunteer dismissed for this reason MAY NOT volunteer with the shelter again. There is no exception to this rule.
9. No cursing or foul language is allowed.
10. Volunteers must be respectful of supervisors, other volunteers and the public at all times.
11. Theft of any kind will result in arrest and prosecution.
12. Sexual harassment on the job will result in immediate dismissal. Any volunteer dismissed for this reason may not volunteer with the shelter again.
13. Illness or absence for a scheduled assignment must be called in ahead of time to your reporting supervisor. Leave your name and assignment if you must leave a message.
14. Physical aggression while at the shelter will result in arrest and prosecution.
15. Volunteers must sign in and out every day they work. Parent or guardian MUST pick up the volunteer within 15 minutes of the end of shift and pick up IMMEDIATELY if the volunteer is dismissed.
16. If you are asked to walk a dog, and the dog is not leash broke, DO NOT DRAG THE ANIMAL. Walk backwards a few steps, and coax the dog to you. When he responds, praise him or her. Continue doing this until the animal feels comfortable walking on the leash. This is how you leash break the animal, which increases its chances for adoption.
17. When walking dogs, please take a scooper with you and pick up after the dog.
18. The dogs often get very loud when another animal is walked through the kennels. DO NOT YELL at the animals at any time.
19. Please work quietly. When volunteers are loud or obnoxious, it reflects on the shelter as a whole. Remember to conduct yourself in a professional manner.
20. All volunteers agree to represent Animal friends of the Valleys to the best of their abilities.
VOLUNTEER NAME (print) ______________________________________________________
VOLUNTEER SIGNATURE__________________________ DATE_________________________
SIGNATURE OF PARENT/GUARDIAN (if applicable)_________________DATE_______________
Once you have read and signed appropriately, please give to the volunteer coordinator. If you need assistance in understanding these rules, please talk with the volunteer coordinator before signing. If you do not agree to these rules, you may not volunteer with Animal Friends of the Valleys.