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The Sanctuary at Haafsville – Volunteer Information Manual – April, 2018

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Volunteer Information

Manual

The Sanctuary at Haafsville 901 Nestle Way Breinigsville, PA 18031 PH: (484) 788-8062 http://www.thesanctuarypa.org/


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THE SANCTUARY AT HAAFSVILLE VOLUNTEER INFORMATION MANUAL

1. OUR MISSION STATEMENT a. WHO WE ARE – WHAT WE ARE ABOUT

2. SHELTER ORIENTATION

a. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH FACILITY i. ADOPTABLE PET AREAS

ii. LOCATION OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES iii. OPENING AND CLOSING PROCEDURES

b. GENERAL SAFETY & INFORMATION

i. EMERGENCY NUMBERS ii. FIRE EXTINGUISHER & FIRST AID KIT LOCATIONS

iii. WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE WANTS TO SEE AN ANIMAL ON NON-ADOPTION DAYS

iv. WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE WANTS TO SURRENDER AN ANIMAL v. WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INJURED AT THE SANCTUARY

3. ANIMAL CARE AREAS PROCEDURES

a. CAT ROOMS i. WHAT TO CLEAN/PROPER PROCEDURES

ii. LITTER LOCATION iii. CAT FEEDING SCHEDULE

b. DOG ROOM/KENNELS

i. WALKING DOGS – WHAT TO KNOW/WHERE TO WALK ii. WHAT TO CLEAN/PROPER PROCEDURES

iii. DOG FEEDING SCHEDULE

4. HUMANE ANIMAL HANDLING a. ANIMALS THAT WON’T WALK ON A LEASH/FRIGHTENED ANIMALS b. HOW TO HANDLE A DOG FIGHT SAFELY c. INJURED ANIMALS


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5. PERSONAL CONDUCT

a. RESPONSIBILITIES b. RELATING TO THE PUBLIC

6. COMMUNICATIONS a. CONTACT LIST b. CONSTANT CONTACT EMAILS – INFORMATION ON

EVENTS/PROJECTS/NEEDS c. VOLUNTEER SCHEDULING d. HAVE AN IDEA?

i. HOW TO SUBMIT A SUGGESTION


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OUR MISSION STATEMENT

First and foremost, we are here for the animals.

The Sanctuary is a community resource which will enrich the lives of its resident animals and members of the community in an environmentally sound facility by:

• promoting programs that encourage interaction between people

and animals to the benefit of both • providing for animals needing a temporary or permanent home in a

humane and respectful way


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SHELTER ORIENTATION

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH FACILITY

We have several trails to walk our dogs on. You will see marked, blazed, trails to the left and right of our building. Walk the dogs along the path one way, starting to the left when facing either building, along the lighted path, and be sure to clean up after them. We encourage long, active walks to get the dogs as much exercise as possible (unless indicated on the dog’s cage that exercise needs to be limited…always read the tags on the dog cages). Clean up bags are located in the Hound Halls in the Mutt Hut and pooper scoopers are located outside behind the facility near the hose faucet and yards. Keeping a clean, healthy environment is essential!


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ADOPTABLE PET AREAS

The Hound Halls (main dog kennels) are located in the Mutt Hut Building. Both doors to the Hound Halls need to remain locked after your shift has ended. We have Pens and Yards located on the grounds. The large main Yard is a perfect area to bring one dog at a time to play with a ball and Frisbee. We encourage you to play with the dogs and interact as much as possible! Our main Cat Cottage building is located to the left of the Mutt Hut building. We usually also have some cats located in the main center area which are loose and free roaming. Be careful when opening the door to the outside as to not let any of the cats out.


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LOCATION OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Cleaning supplies, paper towels, mops, and brooms are all located in the Utility Room in the Mutt Hut and the Bathroom area of the Cat Cottage. Additional cleaning supplies are located in the main Cat Room for cleaning cat cages. Cat litter is located in the main Cat Room. All extra bedding for both dogs and cats are located in the Supply Trailer but a stock should always be available to you in the Mutt Hut and Cat Cottage. Dry dog food is located in the Utility Room in the Mutt Hut. Cat Food is located in the Cat Room in the Cat Cottage. Please let us know if food is running low so we can have the correct person fill up stock as we only use certain foods for both dogs and cats.


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OPENING AND CLOSING PROCEDURES

Opening Procedures for Mutt Hut: Enter through the door to the Hound Hall. Always knock and look in before ever opening the door should a dog be loose unexpectedly. Your first focus will be to look at the Med board, checklists, and whiteboards for any announcements, updated procedures, or special instructions. Opening Procedures for Cat Cottage: Enter through the Main center entrance. Be mindful of any loose cats within the area as to not let them out. Your first focus will be to look at the Med board, checklists, and whiteboards for any announcements, updated procedures, or special instructions. We have a Facebook Scheduling Group Page that you should have access to (please request to join if you have not by emailing our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] ). We also have a Facebook Volunteer Group Page you will have access to after approximately 4 weeks of regular volunteering. Closing Procedures:

When your shift has ended, and if no one is left in the building, shut all interior lights and lock the doors. All kennels within the Mutt Hut, outdoor kennels and doors to the Cat Cottage must be latched closed as well as locked. Note any issues that you have observed whether it be animal related or building related. Note these issues when you sign out on the dog or cat checklist. If there are any medical concerns, please post these on the medical board as noted above. Any immediate or urgent issues should be directed to Liz Jones (see emergency numbers located on the volunteer board or reference the Contact List in this manual).

Before leaving, do a quick walk-around to check that all indoor and outdoor kennels have their locks secure on their outdoor run, all kennels have a clip lock on them, all cat cages are secure with both the top and bottom latch.


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GENERAL SAFETY & INFORMATION

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Emergency Phone numbers for Upper Macungie Township and Veterinarians: Emergency 911 State Police 610-395-1438 Upper Macungie Township Police Headquarters 484-661-5911 Cetronia Ambulance 610-395-8161 Fogelsville Fire Company 610-395-3460 Trexlertown Fire Company 610-841-8238 Walbert Animal Hospital 610-434-7469 Quakertown Veterinary Clinic 215-536-6245

Please report any injuries to volunteers, visitors, or animals to board members and/or shelter staff immediately.


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FIRE EXTINGUISHERS & FIRST AID KIT LOCATIONS

We have fire extinguishers located in the Mutt Hut and Cat Cottage in near the exit doors. Please ask if you are unsure as to how to operate the fire extinguishers.

The First Aid kits are located in both Bathrooms of the Mutt Hut and Cat Cottage.


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WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE WANTS TO SEE AN ANIMAL ON NON-ADOPTION DAYS

We have our hours and adoption day information posted on the Main Entrance doors. If someone stops by on a different day and requests to see one of our animals, we leave this to your discretion. If you feel comfortable letting them in and showing them one of our dogs or cats, you may. Our suggestion is to explain we have open adoption days every Saturday from 10am-2pm, and hand them one of our brochures. Should they prefer to make an appointment outside of our Saturday adoption day, propose to them to call our main contact number on th back of the brochure, which is 484-788-8062. Do not promise a dog or cat to anyone even if you believe that animal is available! You may not know if an animal is already on hold with a potential adoption so please direct them to contact those handling adoptions as mentioned above. It is perfectly acceptable to request they return on a scheduled day, as we do not have the staff to handle the showing of animals every day. Explain that we are all volunteers and our jobs are to care, feed, walk, clean, etc. for the animals, but to please come back on a Saturday to visit and meet our wonderful pets.

Thankyouforstoppingby!!

Ifyouwouldliketomeetoneofourdogsorcats,ouropenAdoptionDayisEVERYSaturdayfrom10am–2pm.PleasefeelfreetostopbySaturdaytosayHelloandmeetourwonderfulanimals!

ALLOTHERHOURSAREBYAPPOINTMENTONLY.

Pleasecall(484)788-8062tomakeanappointment.

Haveawonderfulday!


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WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE WANTS TO SURRENDER AN ANIMAL

If anyone shows up to surrender an animal we are not allowed to under any circumstances accept that animal (even yours or a neighbor’s). Either contact Liz directly and inform her of the situation, or give the person Liz's phone number for them to contact directly (see Contact List).


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WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INJURED AT THE SANCTUARY

If you are bit or hurt by an animal while at The Sanctuary, first and foremost go to the first aid kit in either bathroom and wash the wound with peroxide and/or Betadine and call Liz (try and contact Liz immediately for instructions, but do not wait to clean wound or go for medical attention and care if you are unable to reach Liz at 484-788-8062). Of course, if it’s an extreme case call 911. AND, be sure to post a sign on the animal’s cage and contact Liz immediately! We don't want another incident occurring wherein another volunteer becomes an additional victim unintentionally.


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ANIMAL CARE AREAS PROCEDURES

CAT ROOMS

WHAT TO CLEAN/PROPER PROCEDURES

At the beginning of cleaning, kennel staff will check each animal and its environment in their assigned section, including inside and outside of the animal’s cage, to determine if it needs immediate attention or if spot cleaning is inappropriate.

Always work in order of age and susceptibility when cleaning

• Pediatric • Vaccinated healthy adult • Unvaccinated adult • Sick

Always wear a set of new disposable gloves for each cat for the cats in quarantine cages.

Cage walls can be wiped down with a paper towel and animal-safe disinfectant or mild detergent to remove any organic material.

Shake bedding out to remove litter and food, and return to cage if not soiled. Provide clean bedding if needed.

The rest of the animal area (floors, garbage) etc. should be cleaned as usual. This includes mopping floors (and towel drying the floors afterwards using the ‘foot shuffle’), garbage disposed of in dumpster, and cans rinsed and placed in recycle trash.


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LITTER LOCATION

Litter is located in the Cat Room in the back in the large bin. If the litter in the bin is low, refill litter is located in the storage trailer (scoopable litter only).

Soiled litter should be disposed of and fresh litter replaced. Dispose of litter in the dumpster.


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CAT FEEDING SCHEDULE

Canned kitten and cat food is located in the left drawer of the low three-drawer cabinet. Provide fresh food based on kitten or adult.

If canned food in the drawer is low please replenish stock, which is located in the Cottage.

Dry food is in the pink bin. We purposely let the dry food get down low so that the food is always fresh. Additional bags of dry cat food are located in the pink bin in the kitten shed. The cat dry food bowls are to be kept full. Canned food is given once a day in the morning except for older cats who get fed canned food as often as you can! They need to be especially spoiled. Please check the white board in the Cat Room for our oldies but goodies!

Empty water bowls, wash, and refill with fresh water.


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DOG ROOMS/KENNELS

WALKING DOGS – WHAT TO KNOW/WHERE TO WALK

Before beginning your shift, be sure to go into the Mutt Hut to read the status of animals FIRST before attempting to walk a dog. There may be instructions regarding a particular dog that you need to know before handling. This includes reading all dog cage tags to be certain you are able to walk the dog.

Dog are to be walked one by one on our trails that are marked. Walk only one dog at a time. If two dogs are together in one cage because they are bonded, ask another volunteer to walk the second dog. Please take a pooper scooper or plastic bag with you to pick up waste. It is imperative to keep a clean, healthy facility inside and outside.

When taking a dog out of its kennel, be sure there are no other loose dogs around and keep the leash short until the dog is outside! Check the collar on the dog to be certain collar is not loose and it is secure. If you are uncertain or don’t recall as to how to tighten a collar, please ask an experienced volunteer or post the question on our Facebook group page. Securely latch a leash to dog and wrap leash around hand as shown on the next page*. Dogs should be walked at least 15 minutes at a time (weather dependent, of course). Most of these dogs have a lot of pent-up energy that needs to be released. Take a dog for a long hike around our trails and if the weather permits, bring the dog to one of the yards to play with a Frisbee or ball. Enjoy playing and spending time with these beautiful dogs! If another volunteer has a dog out already walking on the trails, keep dogs at least 15 feet apart. Do not attempt to let the dogs get closer than 15 feet under any circumstances, unless directed by a senior Sanctuary member. Never try to put two dogs together. Only certain senior members are allowed to test or put two leashed dogs that have never been in contact with each other, together.

Upon returning with a dog, be sure that there are no loose dogs before entering. Either knock or look through the window in the door to make sure it is ok. Do not assume and open the door without checking first.


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*How to properly hold a dog leash: • You’ll have the best control and safety if you hold your dog’s leash with both

hands. Put the loop of the leash in the palm of your dominant hand, and then make a fist. Put your thumb inside the loop. With your other hand, grasp a part of the leash below the loop.

• When walking, keep your hands in a natural position below your waist. This will ensure you’re not pulling too hard on the leash, putting pressure on your dog’s neck, while still maintaining control.


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WHAT TO CLEAN/PROPER PROCEDURES

At the beginning of cleaning, kennel staff will check each animal and its environment in their assigned section, including inside and outside of the animal’s kennel, to determine if it needs immediate attention or if spot cleaning is inappropriate.

If there are two or more dog volunteers present, one or two volunteers should handle dog walking while the other volunteer handles cleaning of the kennel.

Kennel walls can be wiped down with a paper towel and animal-safe disinfectant or mild detergent to remove any organic material.

Shake bedding out and return to kennel if not soiled. Provide clean bedding if needed. Spare bedding is located in the Utility Room. Water and food dishes are to be arranged as the picture below. Place the water dish at the opposite side of the front kennel opening, and place the food bowl behind it. This placement is to reduce spillage as the dog enters the kennel. Move any dog bedding so it are not under the water and food bowls.

The rest of the animal area (floors, garbage, etc.) should be cleaned as usual. This includes mopping floors, (and towel drying the floors afterwards using the ‘foot shuffle’), garbage disposed of in dumpster, and cans rinsed and placed in recycle trash. Remember that the dog kennels have an outside run. Those runs must be checked and cleaned for poop as well. Best practice is for one volunteer to take the dog for a walk, and the other to clean the run so no chance of the dog getting loose exists while entering and exiting the run. Be sure the lock is secure on outdoor run.


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DOG FEEDING SCHEDULE

Dog food amounts are on the card of each dog cage. The amounts to be fed are broken down between AM shift, AFT shift, and PM shift. If the dog is new and does not have a full card filled out yet, use your judgment on the amount of food based on another dog similar in size and add the proper feeding tag as shown..

Unless otherwise noted on the individual dog cards, the food should consist of dry food located in the Dog Room bin for the AM, AFT, and PM shifts. Occasionally, the AFT shift will be asked to add wet food instead. About ½ of one can equals one cup of food. We like to stay consistent with the dry and wet food brands we feed them to lessen stomach upset caused by constantly switch dog food brands. Because of this only certain senior volunteers are allowed to replenish the dry dog food bins. Do not overfeed! Dog bowls should not be filled to the brim and left in cages. Apart from being wasteful, over-feeding causes various health issues for our dogs. Please follow the feeding schedule.

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HUMANE ANIMAL HANDLING

ANIMALS THAT WON’T WALK ON A LEASH/FRIGHTENED ANIMALS

Unfortunately, some of our animals come to us from abusive or neglectful homes. In some cases, some of our dogs are fearful of leashes. If this is the case, try to use one of the adjustable loop slip rope leashes. Open up the loop very wide and try to allow the dog to walk into the lead. Then secure a regular leash to the martingale collar.

If you cannot get a leash on the dog, alert a senior volunteer that you cannot walk that particular dog. Do not force the dog. Simply allow a senior volunteer to handle. If this occurs, the volunteer should also leave a note on the dog's crate, on the white board in the dog room, and/or on our Facebook page in order to alert the next volunteer coming in about an issue with a particular dog. Notes left should always include the current date and time on them. Communication between volunteers is extremely important!


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HOW TO HANDLE A DOG FIGHT SAFELY

Safety is of utmost importance at the Sanctuary. We want your experience to be a happy and safe one both for you and the dogs. You should never put yourself into a situation where you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. What is the number one way to handle a dogfight? Do not allow it to happen in the first place! And how is that done? By not allowing two dogs to be in contact with each other. As stated earlier in this manual, all dogs are to be walked on leashes. Dogs must be separated by at least 15 feet if two volunteers are walking dogs on the trails. If the unfortunate event of a dogfight happens, grab the leashes of both dogs and pull away. If only one dog has a leash on, pull that dog out of the way or into another room. If neither dog has a leash on, a sudden, loud sound will often interrupt a fight. Clap, yell, and stomp your feet. If you have two metal bowls, bang them together. If a startling noise works to stop a fight, the noise is effective almost immediately. If your noisemaking does not stop the fight within about three seconds, try another method. If there is a hose or water bowl handy, you can try spraying the dogs with water or dumping the bowl of water on their heads. If this is not available or does not work, you will have to wait until the fight is over. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU GET BETWEEN TWO DOGS FIGHTING! Never put your hands or your body in between a dogfight. You may get hurt and if a dog bites it may also be in jeopardy.


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INJURED ANIMALS

If any of our animals becomes injured while you are volunteering, call Liz Jones immediately (see Contact List in this manual and on the volunteer board.). You may also contact any member of our Board of Directors also listed in this manual.


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PERSONAL CONDUCT

RESPONSIBILITIES

Dress code – Dress with sturdy walking/hiking shoes, comfortable clothes that you do not mind getting dirty, and dress in layers in the wintertime. No t-shirts with suggestive or offensive words should be worn. You are expected to present a good image of the Sanctuary, and this includes language. Junior Volunteers – We love our volunteers of all ages! Anyone who is volunteering under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present at all times. Drugs and Alcohol – Drugs and alcohol are not to be used by volunteers during activities. The sale, use, possession, or transfer of a controlled substance on the Sanctuary’s premises is prohibited. Termination Policy – The Sanctuary reserves the right to terminate a volunteer’s service at any time, with or without notice. The following are some occurrences that may results in termination:

• Stealing • Substance abuse • Discourtesy/rudeness to another volunteer, Staff Member, or member of the

public. • Not following the policies set forth in this manual or direction from a Senior

Volunteer, Staff Member, or Board Member. • Unauthorized communication with media sources regarding shelter practices

or policies. • Any deliberate act of cruelty to an animal. • Careless, negligent performance of volunteer duties. • Any act that puts anyone else in harm’s way.


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RELATING TO THE PUBLIC

Volunteers must be polite, courteous, and helpful when dealing with staff and the public. Please refer all questions regarding policies and procedures with which you are not familiar to a senior volunteer or staff member. You may always hand out our brochure and suggest they call the phone number on the back of the brochure for further information. It is ok to not have all the answers, but not ok to provide misinformation.


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COMMUNICATIONS

CONTACT LIST

LizJones Founder [email protected] 484-788-8062

Lukow,Chris President,BoardofDirectors [email protected] 484-695-5363Green,Linda VicePresident,BoardofDirectors [email protected] 973-634-4896Green,Linda Treasurer,BoardofDirectors [email protected] 973-634-4896Berman,Erica Secretary,BoardofDirectors [email protected] 215-354-7204 Cimo,Diane BoardofDirectorsMember [email protected] 570-983-7016Dougherty,Donna BoardofDirectorsMember [email protected] 610-797-8071Hrincevich,Bonnie BoardofDirectorsMember [email protected] 610-838-6289Long,Bob BoardofDirectorsMember [email protected] 484-226-0020Lukow,Chris BoardofDirectorsMember [email protected] 484-695-5363Meyer,Melissa BoardofDirectorsMember [email protected] 610-972-8212

Kline,Amanda VolunteerCoordinator [email protected] 610-401-7523Green,Linda VolunteerOrientations&Group

[email protected]

Green,Linda PAWSProgram [email protected] Dougherty,Donna Fundraising&Events [email protected] 610-797-8071Green,Linda Donations [email protected] Long,Bob FacilitiesMaintenance [email protected] 484-226-0020

Greenage,Kathy CatAdoptions/Fostering [email protected] 610-682-2688Long,Carol DogAdoptions [email protected] 610-392-4804

Meyer,Melissa DogFostering [email protected] 610-972-8212Kline,Amanda PuppyAdoptions [email protected] 610-401-7523


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CONSTANT CONTACT EMAILS – INFORMATION ON EVENTS/PROJECTS/NEEDS

Every month, we send out communications in the form of a newsletter via email to the general public, and another newsletter to our volunteers. If you are not receiving these newsletters, please email [email protected] to be put on the mailing lists. This is a great means of communication for the public and for our volunteers! Included in the newsletters are fundraisers, events, and updates on our animals. We welcome any suggestions and additions to our newsletters, so please do not be shy to offer any ideas you may have!


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VOLUNTEER SCHEDULING

We have volunteers scheduled throughout the day to care and feed the animals. It is vital that, if you commit to a day for this care and are unable to attend, to contact us ahead of time so we can fill the open spot. During your orientation, you will obtain the information necessary as to whom to contact regarding scheduling. Email [email protected] Do you know of someone who also wants to be a volunteer? Have them email [email protected] for information!


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HAVE AN IDEA?

HOW TO SUBMIT A SUGGESTION We are always looking for your suggestions! Have an idea to share, a process that may help, or a fundraising effort? Contact [email protected] and we will be sure to filter your idea through the proper channels. Have a comment or issue for our Board of Directors to review? Contact [email protected]


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AND ONE LAST NOTE…

YOU ARE THE SANCTUARY!!

YOU are an important part of the success of the Sanctuary. Volunteers are also essential part of the Sanctuary events that are designed to promote the adoption of our animals, encourage donations, and provide information to the public about our organization. We rely on you! Thank you so much for your time, effort, and above all….your love for the animals!!!

Be sure to visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!!

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