weatherford shelter volunteer manual

8/2/2019 Weatherford Shelter Volunteer Manual

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Weatherford/Parker County

Animal Shelter

VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK


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Table of Contents

ContentsVOLUNTEERWELCOMELETTER ........................................................................................................................... ....43

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ .......................54

MISSIONSTATEMENT ...................................................................................................................................... ........54

PURPOSE .................................................................................................................................................................54

HISTORY ................................................................................................................................. ..................................54

ANIMALSHELTERHOURSOFOPERATION ...............................................................................................................65

CONTACTINFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................65

DEFINITIONOFVOLUNTEER ....................................................................................................................................76

DEFINITIONOFYOUTHVOLUNTEER ........................................................................................................................76

HOWTOBECOMEAVOLUNTEER ............................................................................................................................76

VOLUNTEERQUALIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................. ....76

VOLUNTEERDUTIES................................................................................................................................................. 97

YOUTHVOLUNTEERDUTIES ....................................................................................................................................97

VOLUNTEEROPPORTUNITIES .............................................................................................................................. ..108

GUIDELINESFORVOLUNTEERS ............................................................................................................................ ..149

PROFESSIONALSTANDARDS ................................................................................................................................1510

WEATHERFORD/PARKERCOUNTYANIMALSHELTERMAINTENANCE .................................................................1611

WEATHERFORD/PARKERCOUNTYANIMALSHELTERCLEANINGPROCEDURES ..................................................1712

OFF-SITEADOPTIONEVENTPROCEDURES ..........................................................................................................1712

VOLUNTEERSCHEDULINGANDRECORDINGOFSERVICEHOURS .......................................................................1813

PERSONALAPPEARANCEANDHYGIENE ..............................................................................................................1813

SAFETYPROCEDURES ..........................................................................................................................................1813MATERIALSAFETYDATASHEETS(MSDS) ............................................................................................................1914

ACCIDENTREPORTING.........................................................................................................................................1914

OFF-LIMITAREAS .............................................................................................................................. ...................1914

INFORMATIONREGARDINGEUTHANASIA ..........................................................................................................2015

FORMS .......................................................................................................................................... .......................2116

VOLUNTEERWELCOMELETTER ................................................................................................................................. 3

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... ...... 4

MISSIONSTATEMENT ................................................................................................................................................ 4

PURPOSE .............................................................................................. ..................................................................... 4

HISTORY ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4

ANIMALSHELTERHOURSOFOPERATION .................................................................................... ............................. 5

CONTACTINFORMATION ............................................................................................................. ............................. 5

DEFINITIONOFVOLUNTEER ......................................................................................................... ............................. 6

DEFINITIONOFJUNIORVOLUNTEER .................................................................. ....................................................... 6

DEFINITIONOFYOUTHVOLUNTEER .......................................................................................................................... 6

HOWTOBECOMEAVOLUNTEER ..................................................... ......................................................................... 6

VOLUNTEERQUALIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 6

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VOLUNTEER WELCOME LETTER

Dear Volunteer:

On behalf of the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter, I want to welcome you to theAnimal Shelter Volunteer Program. We are pleased that you desire to give your time and effortsto assist us with our customers and in caring for the animals in our facility. The task of helpinganimals is not always an easy one, but it can be a very rewarding experience.

You may be motivated to seek volunteer opportunities with us for a variety of reasons: your loveof animals, desire to serve your community, desire to develop your personal skills or otherreasons. Whatever prompted you to consider giving your time to the Weatherford / ParkerCounty Animal Shelter and the animals we serve, will hopefully develop into a long termrelationship with us as we partner to make a difference within our community.

It is the Citys hope that through the Animal Adoption Shelter Volunteer Program we can

enhance our ability to promote animal awareness within the community, educate the publicabout responsible pet care, ownership and safety, and promote the need for responsible petownership.

While there will be some details to work through, such as completing a volunteer application,attending an orientation session and accepting some hands- on training before you get startedperforming tasks for us, we are excited that you have an interest in working with us and lookforward to meeting you, getting to know you and working together with you. Remember the staffis here to help you as you begin your volunteer work. Please dont hesitate to ask forassistance, as you learn and grow with us.

Welcome,

__________________________________

Animal Shelter Manager


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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter Volunteer Program. We are excited andpleased to have you join our team. This handbook is an information tool to help you learn about us andalso to serve as a guide as you begin your volunteer work with us.

Feel free to ask questions. We believe all questions are important, so please dont hesitate to ask.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter makes our community a better place for people andanimals by:

Sheltering stray and unwanted animals with an adequate place to provide food, water and care.

Providing an adoption program to place animals in a caring and responsible home.

Reducing animal overpopulation by encouraging spaying and neutering. Serving as an advocate for animals, promoting humane standards and preventing cruelty.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter Volunteer Program is to promote animalawareness within the community and to educate the public about responsible pet care, ownership andsafety for and around animals. The program helps teach quality care for the animals by allowinginteraction between the volunteers and animals. The program is also designed to provide opportunities forcitizens to interact and help the animals at the shelter and to help increase live releases for all shelteranimals. Interaction provides meaningful insight regarding the personality and behavior of the animalwhich is beneficial in marketing the animals to the public and helping to find the animals compatiblehomes. Our goals are to:

Help hHumanely house and care for stray and quarantinedadoptable animals

Provide a clean and safe environment for animals, staff, and the public Handle animals with the least amount of restraint necessary Treat all animals with love and respect Return lost, or otherwise missing, animals to their owners

Adopt unclaimed stray animals to loving families Protect the public from rabies by quarantining potentially infected dogs

Educate the public on responsible pet ownership

HISTORY

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ANIMAL SHELTER HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday ClosedTuesday 11am-4pmWednesday 11am-6pmThursday 11am-4pmFriday 11am-6pmSaturday 11am-4pmSunday Closed

Phones answered Tuesday Saturday from 8:00am4:00pmClose

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter location: 403 Hickory Ln., Weatherford, TX 76086

The Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter phone number: (817) 598-4111Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter web site: www.Wweatherfordtx.gov/animals.com/animalsFor after-hours animal emergencies: (817) 598-4300 Weatherford Police

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AND DUTIES


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DEFINITION OF VOLUNTEER

A volunteer is an individual eighteen (18) years of age or older, who without compensation or expectationof compensation, performs a task at the direction of or on behalf of the City of Weatherford. A volunteermust be officially accepted by the City of Weatherford prior to performing any volunteer duties.

DEFINITION OF JUNIOR VOLUNTEER

A junior volunteer is an individual at least ten (10) years of age, but under the age of fifteen (15),accompanied by an adult volunteer who is their parent or legal guardian.

DEFINITION OF YOUTH VOLUNTEER

A youth volunteer is an individual at least fifteen (155) years of age, but under the age of eighteen (18),

accompanied by an adult volunteer who is their parent or legal guardian.

HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Persons interested in volunteering for the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter should contact goonline and fill out an application or contact Animal Services personnel to obtain an application.

1. After the application has been submitted to the Animal Services Department, a background checkwill be conducted for all interested volunteers. The volunteer will be responsible for a $5administrative fee. Once completed and approved by the volunteer coordinator, the applicant willbe contacted and required to attend a volunteer orientation session. The purpose of the sessionis to give applicants an overview of the Animal Services Department, the services we provide andwhat volunteer opportunities are available.

2. Upon completion of the orientation session, the volunteer will be scheduled to attend a one-on-one interview to get acquainted with the staff and to discuss what areas the applicant would like

to serve in. Following the interview and depending on the areas of interest, one or more hands ontraining sessions will be scheduled. The purpose for the training is to teach the volunteer thespecific job duties and to ensure the volunteer is prepared to serve in the assigned capacity.

3. All volunteers shall be required to read, sign, have notarized and submit the appropriate waiversof liability and release forms before starting service at the Animal Shelter.

4. Once these steps are completed, the Volunteer Coordinator will work with the volunteer toschedule work times.

VOLUNTEER QUALIFICATIONS

Positive and friendly attitude to people and animals Willingness to promote the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter

Commitment to follow the policy and procedures of the Weatherford/Parker County AnimalShelter Ability to work with staff, volunteers and visitors Willingness to meet the minimum monthly volunteer commitment of 6 84hours per month Must complete volunteer application packet and pass background check

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Must be at least 18 years of age or be accompanied by parental guardian


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VOLUNTEER DUTIES

Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter volunteers will help provide assistance to Animal Servicespersonnel with daily operations and with special events. Duties may include:

Feeding, walking, socializing, bathing and grooming the animals Assisting citizens with information on animals ready for adoption

Cleaning the animal's cages and/or kennels Clean and organize food storage area Sweeping/cleaning cat room, work room and back hallway floors

Assisting with annual shot clinics and any other special events Working at and assisting with off-site adoption and other special events

JUNIOR VOLUNTEER DUTIES

Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter junior volunteers will help provide assistance to AnimalServices personnel with daily operations and with special events.

Junior volunteers are at least ten (10) years of age and up to (15) fifteen years of age. The followingguidelines will apply to junior volunteers:

Walking, socializing and playing with dogs less than twelve (12) weeks of age and less than 20lbs.

Feeding and providing water for the animals Kitty socialization

Prepare cat and dog food for following day Assisting citizens with information on animals ready for adoption Cleaning the animal's cages and/or kennels Clean and organize food storage area

Window cleaning inside kennel A, outside cat room and adoption corridor Sweep/clean cat room, work room and back hallway floors Assisting with the annual rabies vaccination clinic and any other special events Working at and assisting with off-site adoption events

YOUTH VOLUNTEER DUTIES

Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter youth volunteers will help provide assistance to AnimalServices personnel with daily operations and with special events.

Youth volunteers are those who are at least fifteen (15) years of age and up to sixteen (18) years of age.The following guidelines will apply to youth volunteers:

Walking, socializing and playing with dogs less than twelve (12) weeks of age and less than 20lbs. (* see note below)

Feeding, walking, socializing, bathing and grooming the animals Prepare cat and dog food for following day Assisting citizens with information on animals ready for adoption

Cleaning the animal's cages and/or kennels Clean and organize food storage area.

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Window cleaning inside kennel A, outside cat room and adoption corridor

Sweep / clean cat room, work room and back hallway floors Assisting with the annual rabies vaccination clinic and any other special event Assisting with updating the photos to be used on the Citys web site, showing the adoptable

animals

* Youth volunteers that desire to walk, socialize and play with dogs that exceed the twelve (12) weeksand 20 lb. weight limitations, may do so, provided they meet the following qualifications: Have served as a Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter youth volunteer for a minimum of

five (5) hours.

Have demonstrated their ability to follow instructions from Animal Shelter Staff and their parent orlegal guardian.

Animal Shelter Staff believes their physical stature is sufficient for the task. Demonstrated knowledge of basic dog behavior. Demonstrated good and safe technique in handling smaller dogs.

Staff will utilize a check list, to make the determination whether a youth volunteer in this category is readyto advance to handling dogs over the 12 week or 20 lb. limits.

The youth volunteers parent or legal guardian will be required to sign the checklist, acknowledging theirapproval.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The following volunteer opportunities exist at the Weatherford Animal Shelter:

Administrative Support: Provides assistance to the Weatherford / Parker County Animal Shelter staffwith office operations such as: assisting the public with information, adoptable animal photo production,filing, typing, answering telephones, and other office work as needed.

Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter Attendant: Provides assistance with feeding, watering,cleaning and maintaining the kennels and cages for the comfort of all animals housed in the AnimalShelter.

Adoption Assistant: Provides assistance to prospective adopters by bringing selected animals to thedesignated visitation areas and relaying any information that the interested party needs.

Grooming: Bathes, brushes, trims and maintains the overall appearance of the animals when ready foradoption. Grooming may include the use of scissors, clippers, brushes, combs, shampoo, flea and tick dipand other electrical or mechanical devices.

Special Events: Assists with a variety of special events including Vaccination Clinics offsite adoptionand fund raising events.

Education/Outreach: Speaking and providing handouts at schools, churches, civic groups Spay/Neuter Event Coordinator

Rescue Group Liaison/CoordinatorFoster Care CoordinatorPet Detective/Redemption CoordinatorGrant WriterTrap/Neuter/Release

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youth volunteers can perform offsite

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PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

1. Bottom-line for volunteers to remember The Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter

staff has final say in all situations regarding the shelter and the animals impounded therein.

Foster animals are property the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter. All policy and

established shelter procedures and requests from the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter

must be strictly followed, no exceptions.

2. CONFIDENTIALITY. Volunteers may have access to records, staff discussions, and o ther

information that may be confidential. As a volunteer, you are NOT permitted to share such

information with others. Doing so could result in your volunteer status being withdrawn. If you

have any questions regarding the professional standards, please do you hesitate to contact the

Volunteer Coordinator or one of the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter staff for

clarification or to discuss the matter.

3. The Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter is a municipal shelter owned and operated

by the City of Weatherford, Texas. Its primary function is Animal Control, consequently and

unfortunately animals will be euthanized at the discretion of the Animal Shelter Staff usually, but

not always, based on available kennel space. Euthanasia is sometimes a necessity; however, all

efforts will be made to find suitable homes when possible.

4. Always keep a professional and courteous demeanor with customers as well as with eachother.

5. Proper dress should be conservative, no T-shirt with profane, sexual or questionable

prints / words.

6. Volunteers cannot bring friends or children along on their shifts to help out.

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7. How to handle grievances or concerns. Use the chain of command to report concerns to

the appropriate staff member. We take your concerns and issues seriously. You may contact theVolunteer Coordinator and/or the Animal Shelter Manager to report any concerns. Give the proper

staff opportunity to resolve your issue. Taking your issue to your peers, fellow volunteers, or

someone not in a position of authority, will only serve to exacerbate the problem, not solve it.

8. Media Information. Volunteers are not permitted to speak to the Media on behalf of the

Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter. Refer Media personnel to the Weatherford/Parker

County Animal Shelter Manager, or City Managers Office.

9. How to quite/Resign. Please tell the Volunteer Coordinator or Shelter Manager if you need

to stop

volunteering for any reason. Your opinion and feedback is important to us. Departing volunteers

are encouraged to provide feedback which can help make our program better for volunteers and

animals.

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GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter reliesy on its volunteers to be dependable and effectiveduring their volunteer hours by following established policies and guidelines. This allows our shelterprogram to operate smoothly and with the maximum benefit to the animals, staff and volunteers. Yourefforts are greatly appreciated and it is important that your experience is rewarding. Every effort will bemade to ensure that your service is the best fit for you and the animals.

Public Iinformation

Any information produced for the purpose of distribution to the general public must be reviewed andapproved by the Shelter Manager prior to being distributed. Volunteers are prohibited from discussingspecific details regarding active cases.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN RABIES VACCINATION CERTIFICATE AND DOG/ CATREGISTRATION INFORMATION. Information contained in a rabies vaccination certificate and/or dog andcat registration or in any record compiled from the information contained in them that identifies or tends toidentify an owner or an address, telephone number, or other personally identifying information of anowner of a vaccinated animal is confidential. The information may be disclosed only to a governmentalentity or a person that, under a contract with a governmental entity, provides animal control services oranimal registration services for the governmental entity for purposes related to the protection of publichealth and safety. Therefore, volunteers who may help with paperwork, filing or data entry tasks, must becareful with this information and use it for its intended purposes only.

Handling of Aanimals

Dogs: All dogs, when removed from a cage, will have a leash attached to their collar or around their neck.Be sure the leash is firmly attached to the dogs collar or neck before leading it out of the kennel. Maintainthe leash on in your your wrist and/or hand at all times to prevent the dog from running free. Once the doghas entered the get-to-know room the leash may be removed . Once the dog has entered the outdoorcourtyard and provided it is the only dog in the courtyard, the leash may be removed. If a second dogenters the courtyard, both dogs should be leashed. Animals that are on hold and not ready for adoptionshould not be handled by a volunteer, only Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter staff. Volunteers

should only enter areas containing animals that are up for adoption, i.e. Kkennel A, Kkennel B, or the catadoption room.

Cats: It is recommended that you wear safety gloves when handling cats. All cats should be picked upwith caution by grasping the back of the neck and the hind legs supporting the body when removing itfrom the cage. Cats available for adoption may be removed from the cage and placed on the floorprovided the door to the small animal room is closed. Only one (1) cat at a time will be allowed out of thecage.

Injured Animals: Volunteers should not handle injured animals. If a volunteer notices an injured animal,they should immediately notify a Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter staff member.

Restricted Aareas: The public is not allowed inside any controlled access area. Volunteers will not beallowed in the following areas: quarantine/isolation room, operating room, Kkennel C, orKkennel D, orKennel E.. Volunteers will not be allowed around livestock.


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PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

1. Bottom-line for volunteers to remember The Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter staffhas final say in all situations regarding the shelter and the animals impounded therein. Fosteranimals are property of the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter. All policyies andestablished shelter procedures and requests from the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Sheltermust be strictly followed, no exceptions.

2. CONFIDENTIALITY. Volunteers may have access to records, staff discussions, and otherinformation that may be confidential. As a volunteer, you are NOT permitted to share suchinformation with others. Doing so could result in your volunteer status being withdrawn. If youhave any questions regarding the professional standards, please do you hesitate to contact theVolunteer Coordinator or one of the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter staff forclarification or to discuss the matter.

3. The Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter is a municipal shelter owned and operated by theCity of Weatherford, Texas. Its primary function is Animal Control, consequently and unfortunatelyanimals will be euthanized at the discretion of the Animal Shelter Staff usually, but not always,based on available kennel space. Euthanasia is sometimes a necessity; however, all efforts willbe made to find suitable homes when possible.

4. Always keep a professional and courteous demeanor with customers, staff, as well as with othervolunteers.

5. Proper dress should be conservative, no T-shirt with profane, sexual or questionable prints /words.

6. Volunteers may not bring friends or children along on their shifts to help out.

7. How to handle grievances or concerns. Use the chain of command to report concerns to theappropriate staff member. We take your concerns and issues seriously. You may contact the

Volunteer Coordinator and/or the Animal Shelter Manager to report any concerns. Give theproper staff opportunity to resolve your issue. Taking your issue to your peers, fellow volunteers,or someone not in a position of authority, will only serve to exacerbate the problem, not solve it.

8. Media Information. Volunteers are not permitted to speak to the Media on behalf of theWeatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter. Refer Media personnel to the Weatherford/ParkerCounty Animal Shelter Manager, or City Managers Office.

9. How to quite/Resign. Please tell the Volunteer Coordinator or Shelter Manager if you need to stopvolunteering for any reason. Your opinion and feedback is important to us. Departing volunteersare encouraged to provide feedback which can help make our program better for volunteers and animals.

By signing, I have read and agree to abide by the professional standards document:

Name: _________________________________________ Date: __________________________

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WEATHERFORD/PARKER COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER MAINTENANCE

Sanitation/Disease Control: Proper and timely application of chemical disinfectants is essential forsanitation and disease control and should be done on a daily basis. Great care should be used whenhandling these chemicals. Gloves and goggles should be worn at all times while using these chemicals.Any volunteer wishing to utilize the cleaning chemicals must first receive specific training.

Animal Feed: All animal food is to be placed in the proper containers immediately upon receipt. Thebags/boxes should be removed and placed in the dumpster as soon as possible. The food containers areto be kept sealed tight at all times to avoid spoilage and contamination.

Deceased Animals: Volunteers should not handle deceased animals. Upon observing a deceasedanimal in the Animal Shelter, the volunteer should notify an Weatherford / Parker County Animal Shelterstaff member immediately.

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WEATHERFORD/PARKER COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER CLEANING PROCEDURES

Main Kennel Area:1. Pick up all food and water bowls and discard any food left in bowls. Never reuse food left in

bowls. Place all bowls in work area to be washed.2. Turn on appropriate water valve for the kennel, so water will flow down the trench drain. Using

water hose, spray down the run forcing all fecal material to the rear of the run and into the trenchdrain. Be sure that all fecal material is flushed down the run into the trench drain. Please makeevery attempt to minimize the animal getting wet. Once all kennels are flushed clean, roll up thehose reel and proceed to the floor sink, raise cover, veri fy no animals exist in floor sink and thenproceed to flush the floor sink. Turn off appropriate trench drain valve.

3. Apply cleaner to top, sides, and floors of each run and walkway, and then let stand for five ten(510) minutes. Avoid getting cleaning products on the animal. Using a scrub brush, scrub wallsand floors as needed to remove dirt or any other materials. Then apply disinfectant to top, sides,and floors. Rinse runs with water and squeegee water from walkway and runs.

4. If an animal is removed from a cage, the water bowl and food bowl should be picked up andwashed with disinfectant. All runs should be washed down and disinfected before a new animalgoes in the cage.

5. All towels will be placed in the treatment room (washer/dryer area).

Cat Cages:1. Empty all food and water bowls and empty out and thoroughly clean all litter pans. Remove

newspapers from cage. Food and water bowls should be taken to the treatment room andwashed with disinfectant. Once these items have been cleaned, they should be returned to thecat rooms.

2. Sweep out any cat litter or food that is along the edges of the cage.3. Spray inside of cage with disinfectant and let stand five ten (510) minutes. Avoid getting cleaning

products on the animal. Wipe cage out with paper towels.4. Pull cage unit away from wall, clean windows and window sills, sweep and/or wash down floor

and walls.5. Fill food and water bowls with fresh food and water and place in clean cage. Fill cat litter box with

fresh cat litter and place in cage. Put fresh newspapers in the cage and then put cat in cage.

Treatment Room:1. All food and water bowls should be washed in hot soapy water with a bleach solutiondisinfectant.

Once they have been washed they will be dried and stacked on the appropriate shelves.2. All cat litter pans will be washed in the kennel area and when dried returned to their proper place.3. When the morning cleaning is done, all trash cans should be emptied and their contents taken to

the dumpster.

The floor area of the workroom will be washed down with water, bleach solution, and disinfectant on aweekly basis or as needed.

OFF-SITE ADOPTION EVENT PROCEDURES

Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with and work at various off-site adoption events. All off-siteadoption activities will be conducted at City sponsored events that are hosted by the City, with AnimalServices being represented by Animal Services Volunteers.

Volunteers desiring to assist with and work at off-site adoption events will be required to attend avolunteer orientation session as well as training sessions at actual off-site adoption events. The off-sitetraining will be conducted by the volunteers that have been selected by the Supervisor to conduct such anexercise. Individuals selected to provide the training, along with the Supervisor will determine how much

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training an individual will need and when the volunteer is ready to work at an event unsupervised by atrainer or Animal Services Personnel.

Volunteers working at off-site events, will be expected to know how to answer questions commonly askedregarding the animals being shown at the event, other animals that are up for adoption at the AnimalShelter and general questions surrounding the adoption process, fees and the customers responsibilities.In addition, the off-site volunteer must be able to deal effectively with adoption fee transactions. Becausemany of the customers served at off-site events may not visit our Animal Shelter, these customersexperience and opinion of the Animal Services Department and our Animal Shelter will come solely fromthe interaction they will have with off-site event volunteers. Therefore, these volunteers will be consideredambassadors for the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter and must possess skills to conductthemselves in a professional and courteous manner with all customers. The main objectives for thesevolunteers to accomplish will be to showcase the animals currently available for adoption, to answer thecustomers questions and to promote a positive image of the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter.

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULING AND RECORDING OF SERVICE HOURS

All volunteers will be asked to work a scheduled shift according to how many volunteers are active. Thescheduling will be done by the Volunteer Coordinator or the Weatherford/Parker County Animal ShelterSupervisor. Volunteers are required to utilize an online scheduling tool to schedule the hours they desireto work. The online tool is available at http://www.Weatherford.com/AnimalServices/volunteer/.Volunteerswill be responsible for scheduling their time and showing up for work at that time. If the volunteer isunable to come on the days scheduled, it will be their responsibility to contact the Animal Shelter. If thevolunteer misses more than two (2) consecutive times without notifying the Animal Shelter, their slot willbe filled with another volunteer if there is a waiting list.

A volunteer service record log will be kept at the Animal Shelter and every volunteer will be responsible torecord the date worked, time in and out, and the total hours worked.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND HYGIENE

Volunteers are expected to maintain their appearance and grooming while at the Weatherford/ParkerCounty Animal Shelter or at any Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter sponsored event. Volunteerswill be dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean, neat, and professional and that will not be ahealth or safety hazard or insulting to others. Volunteer identification (provided by the City) will be worn atall times, while on duty at the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter or any Weatherford/ParkerCounty Animal Shelter function. Proper dress is a necessity for public contact as it reflects on the personand the Animal Shelter. Clothing, which, in the opinion of the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelterstaff, would be deemed inappropriate, offensive or a safety hazard will not be allowed. Any open shoes,such as flip-flops, sandals or bare feet are prohibited. Volunteers should wear jeans or long pants whileworking at the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter to avoid injury from scratches or other items.

The volunteer's appearance should be neat and clean. Each volunteer is required to attend to his or herpersonal grooming so as to present a good public image. Hair must be clean, groomed and by nature ofthe style, not create a distraction.

SAFETY PROCEDURES

In an attempt to minimize accidents and injuries, the need exists for recognizing and following good safetyprinciples. To accomplish this, Animal Shelter management will provide all reasonable safeguards toensure safe working conditions. No job is so important and no task is so urgent that we cannot take time
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to perform the task or work safely. The cooperation of the volunteer and Animal Services staff in theobservance of this policy will hopefully provide safe worki ng conditions and accident free performance.

1. Each volunteer shall be required to attend volunteer training before working alongside the AnimalServices staff in the Animal Shelter. Training consists of verbal and hands- on instructions givenby the Animal Services staff. The length of the training is dependent on the task to be performedand the speed at which the volunteer learns.

2. A volunteer will be limited to accompanying one youth volunteer, during any given time of service.This will help to ensure the youth has direct supervision and assistance at all times.

3.2.Each vVolunteer is responsible for immediately reporting the presence of any hazard or unsafecondition to the Animal Services Supervisor or other staff member in the absence of thesupervisor.

4.3.The Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter will provide safety equipment for all aspects ofthe job. Before any equipment is used by the volunteer, they will be fully trained in its use. Novolunteer will be asked to use equipment for which they have not received training.

5.4.This document cannot anticipate all areas of potential injury or threat to safety and therefore it isexpected that the volunteer will use good judgment and common sense when involved inWeatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter activities.

6.5.Any accidents or injuries, no matter how slight, must be reported immediately to the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter Supervisor or other staff member in the absence of the supervisorand a report filed. This includes bites and animal scratches.

7.6.Under no circumstances shall a volunteer be requested to handle or be exposed to any wild ordangerous animal which may come into the custody of the Animal Shelter.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS)

These sheets provide important information for all hazardous substances to which employees andvolunteers may be exposed. MSDS explain what safety precautions and equipment to use when workingwith these substances. The MSDS are updated as needed and are available to the volunteers. TheMSDS binder is located in the administration office.

ACCIDENT REPORTING

All volunteer accidents, injuries, and illnesses must be reported immediately to the manager on duty. Awritten report will be kept on file.

OFF-LIMIT AREAS

Certain areas of the shelter will be off-limits to the volunteers. These are designated off-limits to protectyou, the animal, and the shelter. Volunteers will be briefed on these areas during orientation.


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INFORMATION REGARDING EUTHANASIA

Euthanasia is an unfortunate but necessary part of the work carried out by animal shelters across thecountry and a topic that most people would rather not think about. While it is probably the most difficultsubject to understand, it is a very real part of the work conducted by animal shelters. Countless dogs andcats are brought to private and public animal shelters annual ly because they are unwanted, abandoned orlost. While an animal shelter may work very hard to place each of the animals they take in, there arealways some that are either suffering, not savable or treatable and those that have temperaments that arenot considered safe for the public. In addition, there may be times when a facility is running at full capacityand unsuccessful in placing animals in a foster home, adoption partner facility or with a rescue group.

At the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter we have set a goal to achieve a live outcomeliverelease rate of 90% of the animals that come into our facility. We work diligently to achieve this throughadoptions, placement in an Adoption Partner facili ty and those we return to their owners. Because of ourlive outcomelive release goal, we are committed to doing everything we can, to save as many animals aspossible. Therefore euthanasia is a last resort and only performed when other remedies have been

exhausted. Because as animal lovers, we all share a common goal for the pets in our community, wewant them to have a warm place to sleep, good food to eat, a loving family, plenty of exercise and regularveterinary care. Unfortunately, there are times when this outcome may not be achieved.

The decision to euthanize an animal is made after carefully evaluating the following issues: the animalshealth conditions and our ability to treat a sick or injured animal, the anima ls temperament and ifadequate space is available to isolate sick animals , and to house and care for all the animals in ourpossession. We are currently developing a euthanasia protocol document to be adopted by our CityCouncil in the near future. Once the policy has been adopted, you will be able to refer to it, if you areinterested in further details regarding this matter.

If the decision is made to euthanize an animal, a trained staff person who possesses a state certificationto perform the procedure will work with an assistant and administer a lethal injection of sodiumpentobarbital. This method is widely considered the most humane and painless euthanasia procedure.The animal is held by the assistant who speaks to the animal in a gentle manner during the procedure.

It is unfortunate that this procedure must be conducted and it is no doubt very difficult for our staff. This

task requires our staff to cope with both emotional and psychological challenges. Knowing that thesechallenges exist, we ask you to respect what our staff deals with and to be sensitive if talking about thetopic. We do not want to add to our staffs challenges by insinuating that they are the bad guy, culpritor reason why this task is performed.

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FORMS

Volunteer aApplication: This form must be completed and returned to the Animal Services Supervisor.All lines need to be completed and signed by the volunteer.

Volunteer Sservice Rrecord: This form is the volunteer's time card. It is the volunteers responsibility tocomplete the sheet with the hours worked.

Youth Volunteer Cchecklist: This form will be utilized by Animal Services personnel, to make adetermination regarding a youth volunteers eligibil ity to walk and socialize dogs in excess of the twelve(12) month and 20 lb. limitation.

weatherford shelter volunteer manual

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