Volunteer Manual
Edited Sept 2015
Welcome!
Welcome to the SPCA of Jefferson County. The staff and animals appreciate your
willingness to make a commitment to making the world a better place.
The purpose of the volunteer program is to support the staff in carrying out the mission of
the SPCA:
The SPCA of Jefferson County is committed to the humane treatment of animals
through education, the prevention of cruelty, and the promotion of responsible pet
ownership.
Our goals are:
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Reduce the number of unwanted animal companions through our spay/neuter
policy
Eliminate animal abuse and neglect through education awareness programs
Provide a better quality of life for animals entering our shelter as well as a better
quality pet to those adopting from our shelter
Provide a support system for our police, probation, court and social service
departments
Provide internship programs for students entering animal medical fields
About the SPCA
Our Society was founded in 1891 with an original mission of preventing cruelty to work
and farm animals. The original founders were prominent businessmen, doctors and
professionals in the community.
In the mid 1950's, the SPCA's focus shifted towards the humane treatment of companion
animals, with the shelter facility being constructed around that time frame. In April of
1974, the SPCA was granted 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit agency. We have been the
main abuse investigation organization since that time, the only non-profit shelter facility
to accept cats, and are a “no-kill” shelter.
In the Spring of 2013, we opened a satellite location for the SPCA of Jefferson County at
the Petco center in Watertown. Now with two locations, we are able to gain more
exposure to the public and increase the number of animals that we can help find their
forever homes.
The SPCA of Jefferson County is not affiliated with the ASPCA, and receives no funding
from their organization. Many people are under the impression that the SPCA is funded
by Jefferson County because the name of the county is included in our name. The name
references the area we serve, not who we receive our funding from. We do not receive
financial backing from the county or from any other government agency. The shelter is
funded and supported solely by the generosity of the community through memberships,
donations, memorials, bequests, participation in our fundraising events, and through the
dedication of our volunteers.
We are proud to be a part of a compassionate organization which has deep roots in
Jefferson County. We strive to follow in the footsteps of the founders to uphold the
humane treatment of animals.
Contacting Us
By Telephone:
If you need to contact someone at the SPCA of Jefferson County at the main shelter
during regular business hours, dial (315)782-3260. Press “0” for staff. If the phone rolls
over to voice mail, all staff are busy at the moment and unable to take your call, please
leave a message as instructed.
The number for our Petco location is (315)405-4397.
By Mail:
Our mailing address is:
Jefferson County SPCA
25056 Water St.
Watertown NY, 13601
By E-mail:
You can also contact the shelter via email at:
info@jeffersoncountyspca.org
Web Page:
The SPCA maintains a web page which provides a listing of animals that are available
for adoption as well as information about the shelter. The web page is:
http://www.jeffersoncountyspca.org/
Holiday Schedule:
The SPCA is in need of volunteers 365 days a year (366 on leap years). Even if not open
to the public, we are still in need of people to assist in cleaning and feeding our residents.
The shelter is closed to the public (but we still need volunteers) on the following days and
holidays:
New Year's Day
President's Day
Martin Luther King's Birthday
Memorial Day
July 4th
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas
For some holidays, our Petco Center is open even though the main shelter is closed.
Please contact the shelter at either location to discuss these days.
If you are in doubt of our holiday closure schedule, please refer to Federal Holidays as
observed by the US Postal Service.
On occasion it may be necessary for the shelter to close early due to inclement weather. If
we are experiencing severe winter weather, please call to confirm that the shelter will be
open prior to coming in.
The shelter hours on holidays are typically 8am until cleaning and feeding is completed.
Shelter Hours (open to the Public)
Main Shelter
Monday 10:00am – 4:30pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10:00am – 7:00pm
Thursday 10:00am – 4:30pm
Friday 10:00am – 4:30pm
Saturday 10:00am – 4:30pm
Sunday 10:00am – Noon
Petco Location
Monday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Thursday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Friday 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm
*We are at the main shelter every day at 8am for cleaning. We are also
there on Tuesdays at 8am and throughout the day to get our animals spayed and neutered.
The cleaning at the Petco location starts an hour before opening to the public.
General Policies
Smoke Free Work Place:
In the interest of providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, volunteers and
visitors to our facility, smoking is prohibited in the building and on any area of SPCA
property.
Alcohol & Drug Free Work Place:
The use and possession of alcohol and/or controlled substances is prohibited.
Non-Harassment:
The SPCA is committed to maintaining an environment free from all forms of
harassment. All forms of harassment are prohibited. Please tell an employee if you are
uncomfortable about a situation involving another volunteer, visitor, or employee.
Suggestion Program:
Your suggestions for improving the operations of the SPCA of Jefferson County are
welcomed and encouraged. Please direct suggestions to one of the staff members.
Parking:
During hours in which the shelter is open, please park on the far end of the parking lot
towards the road to allow visitors closer access to the facility. We strongly recommend
you lock your vehicle while volunteering.
Building Access:
Access to the building for volunteering when the shelter is not open to the public is by the
rear cat wing door. Please use care in entering the room in the event that there is a feline
escapee on the prowl.
What is expected of volunteers?
All jobs within the shelter require some form of training. You will receive training in the
areas where you have expressed a desire to help. Training will be provided by the
volunteer trainer, staff or senior volunteers.
Various tasks require higher levels of experience within the shelter which can only be
attained through time and exposure to SPCA policies and procedures. If you are
interested in a job involving interaction with the public (office duties, adoption assistant,
etc) you must be promoted to and trained for that position by staff. If you feel you are
ready to progress to a new job, please discuss this with staff.
Please wear your volunteer identification at all times during SPCA business hours, and
introduce and represent yourself to the public as a volunteer for the shelter, not as a staff
member.
Please wear shelter appropriate clothing.
Policies and Procedures
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Please sign in when you arrive and out when you leave. Also, if you are doing
work for the SPCA outside of the shelter, please record and report your hours to
the shelter.
Please wear your volunteer name badge (or scrub top) at all times when the
shelter is open to the public.
Please wear shelter appropriate clothing. Long pants and closed toes shoes are
recommended for your protection.
Please follow infection control procedures in handling animals.
(wash your hands frequently and use the provided alcohol sanitizer in between
animals)
Please stay out of the office area unless you are performing a specific task there. It
is very distracting to the staff or other volunteers working on paperwork, or
posting information on the computer.
Volunteers have access to a refrigerator, microwave, and a breakroom to store
food and eat their lunches. Please eat your food either in the breakroom or
outside the shelter at the picnic table. Please remember to clean up after
yourselves – we must keep our shelter nice!
Greet all potential adopters in a friendly manner. Walk them to the cat or dog
wing (rather than pointing the direction). If you have not been promoted to being
an adoption assistant, please find someone who can assist them with questions.
Use creative problem solving and communications skills to address the challenges
that may arise.
Always look for a way to make things better. Whether it's a small change in
procedure, or an idea for a fundraiser. Please don't hesitate to bring these idea to
the attention of the shelter staff.
Lastly, and most important, always remember that we are here for the animals!
When Challenges Arise
The truth is that in the environment of an animal shelter, something is likely to go wrong
every day. If you are the lucky person in that day's situation, please use “creative problem
solving” and talk to the person who can solve the problem. Suggest a solution, be
creative. Your growth in communication skills will ultimately help the animals.
If you have any questions about policies or procedures, or if anything is unclear. Please
ask for clarification or additional information from the supervisor on duty. Please do not
make assumptions or guess at the answers. If you are interacting with the public, it is not
bad customer service to say “I don't know, let me find out for you.”
If you fail to follow the procedures, or a directive from staff that is in line with the
procedures and policies of the SPCA, we will verbally clarify procedure and policy with
you the first time. The second time will warrant a written reminder. The third time, you
will be required to meet with the volunteer coordinator to discuss the issue, and in some
cases may be asked to discontinue volunteering.
If you have an issue with other volunteers or staff members, please discuss your concerns
with the volunteer coordinator. Not only are you working with the animals, you are also
working alongside individuals who may have opinions that differ from yours. We know
that everyone volunteering at the SPCA shares a common bond. We ask that you are
respectful of the other volunteers and of the staff. Working and volunteering in a shelter
is a very rewarding experience, but can also be very stressful.
Our Spay/Neuter Policy
It is the policy of the SPCA of Jefferson County to spay or neuter every puppy, dog,
kitten, cat and rabbit that is adopted out from our shelter. Pet overpopulation is an issue
that all shelters face. If we did not alter each and every animal, we would be guilty of
contributing to the problem. We do not, under any circumstances, make exceptions to this
policy.
Adult cats and dogs relinquished to the SPCA are spayed or neutered as soon as surgery
is available. Stray animals must be held for 5 days prior to performing surgery, in the
event they are re-claimed by their owner.
Kittens and puppies can have their surgery as early as 6 weeks of age. The contract
veterinarian for the SPCA performs pediatric spay and neuter surgeries. The kitten or
puppy needs to be of a minimum weight, and needs to be in good health in order for
surgery to be performed.
If a potential adopter is interested in an animal that has not yet had surgery, they are able
to have the SPCA “place a hold” on that animal until surgery is performed. The adopter is
required to complete the adoption application form and must be approved by the
Adoption Counselor in order for the animal to be held. If the potential adopter does not
pick up the animal the day after surgery, and does not contact the shelter, the animal
becomes available for adoption the following day. Typically, animals on hold will have
sign on their cage to signify that they have been spoken for.
It is possible that an animal that has been placed does not have a sign on their cage.
Please check with front desk staff on the availability of animals that have not yet had
surgery.
How you can be a voice for the animals:
Actively encourage all family members and friends to have their pets spayed and
neutered in order to reduce the problem of pet over population. If you know of anyone
who is feeding stray cats, please encourage them to make sure all cats are spayed or
neutered as well, in order to eliminate future litters of kittens, and more stray cats.
“No kill” vs “Full Service”
There is an ongoing debate among shelters and humane societies over if a shelter better
serves the community by euthanizing animals or by being a non-euthanizing facility. By
its charter, the SPCA of Jefferson County is a non-euthanizing animal welfare agency,
also referred to as a “no-kill” shelter. Because of this, the shelter is also considered to be
a “limited admission shelter”, able to take in only a limited number of animals. It is often
necessary for the SPCA to turn away an animal that someone is attempting to place in the
shelter due to limitations of space. It is an unfortunate fact that there are significantly
more homeless animals than there are good homes for them.
The process of determining if an animal is likely to be adopted is done by evaluating the
health and temperament of the animal. The shelter is unable to take in animals that are
aggressive, or those with significant health issues. Shelter staff discuss other possible
options with the owner of the animal, including placing the animal with a family member
or friend, posting the animal's information on the shelter's “give away” board, or
contacting their veterinarian for euthanasia of the animal. While the last option listed may
sound heartless, the national shelter statistics show that approximately 25% of dogs and
more than 50% of cats relinquished to euthanizing shelters (also called open admission
shelters) never find homes and are put to sleep.
The SPCA of Jefferson County recognizes that it is limited on the number of animals it is
able to place in homes, and that many more animals are still homeless. There is no
concrete solution to the issue of pet over-population, other than ongoing community
education and the promotion of responsible pet ownership.
If an animal becomes aggressive or develops serious health issues while in the shelter, it
may become necessary for the staff and the contract veterinarian to make a joint decision
to euthanize an animal. This is a decision not made without careful thought and
consideration. It important for all volunteers to be aware that while we are a facility that
does not euthanize for space, it is occasionally necessary to euthanize an animal.
The Adoption Process
One of the biggest challenges a SPCA Adoption Counselor encounters is finding a
permanent and appropriate home for the animals up for adoption. We do not adopt to just
anyone. Each potential adopter is required to complete an adoption application form,
which is then reviewed by an SPCA staff member. If the Adoption Counselor determines
that the person wants an animal for an inappropriate reason, or if it is determined that the
potential adopter is unable or unwilling to provide what the individual animal needs, the
adoption is denied.
We do want to find a home for each and every animal that comes through our doors. The
animals coming to the SPCA have already lost one home, they deserve to be adopted by
people who will give them the very best life, for the rest of their lives.
How you can help:
Once you have been volunteering at the shelter for a while and have been promoted to
interact with the public as an adoption assistant, you can greatly assist the potential
adopter in selecting an animal companion.
Very often a potential adopter will look at the physical qualities only of a pet, and not
consider the personality. By asking a potential adopter basic questions about their
expectations of the personality of the animal they are considering (active, mellow,
cuddly, playful, etc), you will be able to assist them with their selection. Also, by
interacting with a potential adopter, you will be able to provide valuable input to the
SPCA Adoption Counselor on if you feel the adoption is a good match.
Please do not assume this role without discussing this “promotion” with the volunteer
coordinator. This aspect of volunteering can require a fair amount of patience and tact.
The staff and the volunteer coordinator must determine that you are ready for this step up
prior to you taking on this responsibility.
Adoption Guidelines
A person adopting a pet must be 18 years of age or older
A person adopting an animal must present current identification
No animal shall be adopted as a gift for another person
(The SPCA does issue gift certificates for future adoptions)
Any person showing signs of intoxication or under the influence of drugs will be refused
adoption (and requested to vacate the premises immediately)
All dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and rabbits will be sterilized prior to adoption
No animals will be adopted to residences where pets are not allowed
Adoption will be refused to anyone suspected of using an animal for an illegal purpose,
such as dog fighting
No animals will be adopted to a person who is trying to obtain the animal for another
person who has previously been refused
No animal will be adopted to a person who displays any unwillingness to comply with
the SPCA policies, or whose attitude is indifferent or contemptuous toward the adoption
process
No person releasing their own animal to the SPCA will be allowed to adopt another
animal
No person with a history of frequent animal relinquishment will be allowed to adopt
No animal will be adopted to an individual with a history of irresponsible behavior
towards current or past owned pets
“Trading in” or swapping an animal is not allowed
Any person wishing to adopt an animal for food purposes will be refused
Adoptions will be refused to anyone suspected of using an animal for vivisection,
experimentation or cult rites
Any person reported to the SPCA as having abused or neglected an animal will be placed
on a “do not adopt” list and will be refused adoption
Any person with a known history of violence or abuse will be refused adoption
The adoption of specific dog breeds may require a home visit by SPCA staff prior to
adoption
Off-site adoptions are not allowed. All appropriate paperwork must be completed for the
adoption
All unresolved questions pertaining to the SPCA's right of refusal to adopt are to be
directed to the shelter director.
The Adoption Package
Our adoption fees are:
Puppies (under 6 months old) and Small dogs (under 25 pounds) - $200
Adult Dogs (over 25 pounds) - $130
Kittens (under 6 months old) - $130
Adult Cats - $80
Small animals – adoption fee varies depending on type of animal and if the purchase of a
cage is included.
What's Included in this fee:
Cat, kitten, puppy and dog adoption include the following:
Spay/neuter surgery
First series of vaccinations (rabies if old enough, distemper)
Health check/treatment for fleas, ear mites and worms
Microchip identification activated by the SPCA
Voucher for free veterinarian visit within 15 days of adoption
Free starter bag of Science Diet food
Petco discount coupon
Some potential adopters comment on how expensive it is to adopt an animal from the
SPCA. The package of services provided and the cost of the preliminary health care is
significantly less than if a potential adopter was given an animal for free and had these
services performed. Spay/neuter surgery alone is in excess of our adoption fee.
Our Wish List
Below is a listing of items commonly used within the shelter. All donations, items and
monetary, are greatly appreciated to keep the SPCA in business.
Kennel Supplies
Clay, non-clumping kitty litter***
Small litter pans (non-hooded)
String mop heads
Cat toys & treats
Dog toys & treats (no rawhide)
Kong dog toys (the best)
Dog collars
4' to 6' Leashes
Large 2 sided cat food dishes
Timothy or Alfalfa hay for the rabbits
Animal Carriers
Pet brushes
Pet Shampoos
Rodent food & treats
Antibacterial hand soap
Blankets (no electric blankets please)
Old towels
Pet Beds – all sizes
Canned dog and cat food
Surgical Supplies
70% Isopropyl alcohol (Rubbing)
Hydrogen Peroxide
Distilled water
2x2 gauze
Advantage II Flea control
Cleaning Supplies:
Laundry soap***
Bleach***
Rubber & latex gloves
Paper Towels***
Dryer Sheets
Brooms
Dust pans
Floor squeegee
13 gallon trash bags***
30 gallon trash bags***
“Simple Green” cleaner
Dish soap
Windex
Office Supplies:
Masking tape
Postage stamps
Pens & markers
Copy paper***
4x6 photo paper
(for our “adoptables” boards)
Laminating paper
Printer ink cartridges:
(Please call the shelter for the
correct cartridge numbers)
General office supplies such as tape,
staples, post-it notes, etc.
Items followed by *** are always desperately needed!
Science Diet Contract
One thing you will notice missing from the SPCA's wish list is dog and cat food. The
SPCA has a contract with Hill's Science Diet as a provider of all of the shelter's food.
Under this contract, we agree to not feed or promote any brand of food other than Hill's
Science Diet.
The benefits of this contract are:
 The food is free, the shelter only pays for the shipping and handling
 Even with donated food as a supplement to the shelter, the cost of shipping and
handling is significantly less than the cost of purchasing food for the animals
 The contract allows us to provide the free starter bag of food as part of the
adoption package for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens
 Feeding a steady diet of one brand of high quality food reduces the instance of
intestinal distress in shelter animals
 Feeding a high quality food helps support the immune system of shelter animals
making them less prone to sickness and disease
So what does the SPCA do with the food that is donated?
The SPCA & Food Pantries
The Board of Directors and management of the SPCA recognizes the need for emergency
care and support of companion animals. In keeping with support of the community, all
donated food that cannot be used in the shelter is given to our local food pantries for
distribution. This pet food is intended to be used by individuals who have fallen on hard
times, not as an ongoing handout. No one knows when they may experience financial
difficulty. We feel that an unanticipated financial hardship should not mean having to
give up the family pet. If someone you know is in need of such assistance, please contact
your local food pantry.
Zoonotic Diseases
Zoonotic diseases are transmissible from animals to humans. The most effective way of
preventing Zoonosis is to:
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Stay current on appropriate vaccinations, such as tetanus shots
Wash hands frequently after handling any animal and prior to eating
Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes
Use gloves when changing litter pans, washing food dishes and litter pans, or
cleaning up feces, urine or vomit
Disinfect scratches and bite wounds throughly
Seek assistance when handling animals with questionable dispositions
Tell you physician that you work closely with animals and visit him or her
regularly
Report any bites or injuries to SPCA staff immediately
Zoonotic diseases sometimes found in a shelter environment are:
 Bartonellosis (Cat scratch fever)
 Bubonic Plague – this is more of an issue in the Southwestern U.S.
 Campylobacteriosis
 Ringworm
 Larval Migrans
 Lyme Disease
 Sarcoptic Mange (Scabies)
 Pasteurellosis
 Rabies
 Salmonellosis (salmonella)
 Toxoplasmosis
Please do not be alarmed by this list of diseases, but be aware that you are volunteering in
a hospital environment where they could exist. We strongly encourage all volunteers to
make sure that their own animals have all of their vaccinations up-to-date. As an added
measure, we recommend that you always change clothes and shower before socializing
with your animals at home.
Glossary of Zoonoses
Bartonellosis (Cat Scratch Fever)
Transmission in humans occurs through either a cat scratch or bite, with the bacterial
infection being injected under the skin. A mild fever may occur, along with chills, nausea
and generalized aching. Prevention involves immediate and thorough scrubbing of
scratches and bite wounds with soap and water for several minutes.
Bubonic Plague:
Primarily an infection of rodents and rabbits. It is transmitted to humans by fleabites from
infected fleas. Flea removal from all animals and cautious handling of unhealthy cats are
good preventative measures. This is more of an issue in the Southwestern United States.
Campylobacteriosis:
A bacterial disease in which transmission occurs by direct contact with infected animals,
especially puppies and kittens, in combination with poor personal hygiene. The organism
is passed in the feces and introduced orally. Frequent hand washing is the best
prevention. Please keep food and drink out of both the cat and dog wings. Always
remember to wash your hands before eating!
Ringworm:
Not actually a worm, ringworm is a fungal infection. Transmission to humans occurs by
direct contact with an infected animal or indirectly by spores contained in their hair and
dermal scales shed from such an animal. Incubation in humans is 1-2 weeks. Small itchy,
reddened round areas appear on the skin. Prevention involves frequent hand washing and
wearing gloves when handling animals with suspicious patches of hair loss.
Larval Migrans:
This is caused by the larvae of the hookworm and roundworm in cats and dogs. In
humans, it can occur when bare skin comes in contact with soils contaminated by feces of
infected animals. It can also be transmitted by roundworms when humans ingest larvae,
for example, when children eat dirt.
Lyme Disease:
This bacterial disease affects humans and animals that is caused by a deer tick bite. You
cannot contract Lyme Disease from a dog with Lyme Disease. You must be bitten by an
infected tick. Symptoms may occur weeks, months or years after a bite. A red, circular,
bulls-eye patch usually appears 3 days to 1 month after being bitten by an infected tick.
Diagnosis is difficult. It is treated with antibiotics.
Scarcoptic Mange (Scabies):
A mite transmitted by close contact with the skin of an infected animal causes this
parasitic disease. In humans, it causes red, itchy bumps. Prevention involves avoiding
direct contact with suspicious animals and their bedding. A “suspicious” animal meaning
an animal with patches of hair loss, especially around the face.
Pasteurellosis:
This bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through dog and cat bites. Redness and
swelling around the site may persist for long periods. Prevention is through prompt and
thorough scrubbing of all bite wounds. This can be treated with antibiotics.
Rabies:
A viral disease and most feared of all zoonoses. It is transmitted through the bites of
infected animals. Prevention is through regular vaccinations of cats and dogs, and control
of stray cats and dogs. Prevention also involves avoiding the handling of wild animals.
Animals that have bitten people are quarantined in the shelter for at least 10 days to check
for rabies exposure. If an animal comes into the shelter and is acting “odd” or aggressive,
do not touch them! Ask a staff member for assistance.
Salmonellosis (salmonella):
A bacterial disease transmitted to humans by direct or indirect fecal contamination.
Prevention involves proper personal hygiene after handling animals, especially puppies
and kittens. Wash your hands frequently and especially before eating and drinking.
Again, do not have food or beverage in the cat or dog wing.
Toxoplasmosis:
This is transmitted by cats to humans through their feces. Disease manifestation in
humans is rare. Transmission to pregnant women is the most common concern, as it may
cause harm to the fetus. Prevention by pregnant women is wearing gloves and washing
hands when handling cats, their feces, and used litter. As a precaution, if you are
pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, please do not assist in cleaning in the cat
wing.
For additional information of zoonoses and zoonotic diseases, we recommend you
visit the website for the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.
Now what?.........
In a perfect world, all animals would have homes and there would be no need for the
SPCA or its facility. Not being a perfect world, we're here as animal lovers to support the
animals, the shelter and its goals. Volunteering in the shelter can be a bit overwhelming
at first. The staff is busy and you don't want to pester them, the routine cleaning is
completed, and you're not really sure what to do next. Here are some things to consider
and look for:
Are all of the cat cages spot cleaned?
Do all cats have a towel and/or hammock?
Do they all have a toy?
Have they all been cuddled/brushed/talked to/played with?
Do they look like they need more attention?
Are all of the dog kennels spot cleaned?
Do all dogs have a blanket, towel, or bed?
Do they all have a toy?
Have they been brushed?
Have they been out for a walk and/or to play?
Do they look like they want to go again?
(The SPCA has a fenced in dog park in the back, take a dog there!)
Are all of the rodent cages or rabbit cages cleaned?
Did they all get attention/handling/petting?
Do they look like they need more attention?
Is the laundry caught up?
Is everything folded and neatly stacked?
Are there any stray washcloths, towels, blankets, etc laying around?
Is the floor clean? (Cat wing, dog wing, hall, laundry, tub room, office?)
Are the cleaning supplies in the tub room neat and organized?
Are the walls and doors clean?
Is the front glass door clean?
Is the garbage taken out?
Are the newspapers sorted with glossy and comic print removed?
Is the kitty litter bin full?
Is everything neat and tidy?
Is there garbage in the parking lot that needs picking up?
Has the dog park been de-pooped?
Looking for more Information?
The following websites are a wealth of information on issues surrounding animals
shelters. If you are looking for more insight and information on the challenges that
shelters face every day, we recommend the following:
The Humane Society of the Unites States:
www.hsus.org/pets
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
www.aspca.org
Best Friends Sanctuary:
www.bestfriends.org
House Rabbit Society:
www.rabbit.org
Liability Waiver and code of Ethics Agreement:
Please review the following 2 pages. It will be necessary for you to bring these signed
forms to your first day of training.
As a volunteer representing the SPCA of Jefferson County, your conduct and interaction
with staff, other volunteers and the public is expected to be professional and courteous. In
volunteering, you are making a commitment to staff and the animals to carry out, to the
best of your abilities, the tasks you have pledged to perform.
The Volunteer Code of Ethics clarifies the expectations and principles for SPCA
volunteers. Should a volunteer display unprofessional, dishonest or disrespectful
behavior, the volunteer will be asked to leave the premises. Such behavior could be
grounds for termination of volunteer status.
Volunteer Code of Ethics
As a Volunteer with the SPCA of Jefferson County, I agree to:
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Never strike an animal, or handle or treat an animal in such a way that it would be
construed as rough or abusive. I will always exercise compassion and care with the
animals
Respect others even though I may not agree with them
Display courtesy, sensitivity, consideration and compassion for people and animals
Keep safety at the forefront of all volunteer activities
Respect and use equipment and supplies as they are intended
Report all injuries immediately to a staff member
Carry out my assignments, and follow the rules in accordance with training.
Seek assistance from a Volunteer Services representative or staff member when
necessary
Communicate job-relates concerns, problems, conflicts, differences of opinion and/or
suggestions to the Volunteer Coordinator
Not represent myself to the public an employee or agent of the SPCA of Jefferson
County, but as a volunteer; and to not receive or take ownership of any animal
intended for surrender to the shelter
Advise shelter staff of relevant information regarding animals and my involvement in
the shelter
Work together with staff and other volunteers to meet the SPCA of Jefferson
County’s goals
Honor my commitment of time to the shelter and provide adequate notice if unable to
meet a scheduled commitment
Value my role in the maintenance and growth of the organization
Strive to promote a positive environment
Respect and support all people and animals
Date
Volunteer Signature
I acknowledge that I have read fully understand the terms and conditions of the preceding
Volunteer Agreement and agree to comply with the same.
I agree to release, discharge and indemnify and hold the SPCA of Jefferson County
harmless for any and all damage to my personal property while performing my volunteer
services to the shelter in a voluntary capacity.
I recognize that in handling animals at the SPCA of Jefferson County there exists a risk
of injury including personal, physical harm. On behalf of myself, my heirs, personal
representatives and executors, I hereby release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless
the SPCA of Jefferson County , its agents, servants and employees from any and all
claims, causes of actions or demands, of any nature or cause connected with my
Volunteer Agreement. This might include costs, attorney’s fees and court costs incurred
by the SPCA of Jefferson County in connection with my volunteer services based on
damages or injuries which may be incurred or sustained by me in any way. Such damages
or injuries might include, but are not limited to, animal bites, accidents, injuries and
personal property damage.
I understand that public relations is an important part of volunteering at the SPCA of
Jefferson County. I, therefore, agree on behalf of myself, my heirs, personal
representatives, and executors to allow the SPCA of Jefferson County to use any
photographs taken of me for use in public relations efforts. The SPCA of Jefferson
County will use reasonable efforts to notify me, but such notification is not a condition of
the photograph’s release for public relations purposes.
Date
Signature of Volunteer (Parent/Guardian if minor child)