12.15.2015
Cara’s House Volunteer Rules and Guidelines
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No human food, beverages are permitted in the animal rooms. There is an increased risk for
contracting zoonotic parasites when eating/drinking around resident animals. Additionally food
can be spilled and is potentially harmful to resident animals.
Appropriate attire must be worn at all times while volunteering. This includes closed-toed shoes.
It is recommended volunteers also wear long pants. This is to protect skin from scratches, scrapes,
cuts, lacerations, and zoonotic parasites and diseases.
Volunteers are not allowed in staff only area unless specifically directed by Staff/officer. There
are multiple reasons an area is staff only. They include but are not limited to: prevention of
diseases/pathogen spreading, protection of dangerous/hazardous materials, and overall safety of
resident animals, staff, volunteers, and members of the Public.
a. The Computer is considered staff only. If you are in need of something, you must have a staff
member or officer of CARA assist you.
b. All cabinets and files in the building are staff/officer only. If you are in need of something
you must reach out to staff/officer.
c. The refrigerator is staff only. Non staff/officer items should never be placed in the
refrigerator. Please bring something to drink and snack on if you will be volunteering for an
extended period of time. It is our hope to purchase an additional refrigerator that will be able
to keep food and drinks.
Volunteers are only allowed to work with one resident animal at a time. Exceptions include dog
play groups, and multiple cats in one kennel. If a volunteer removes a resident animal from a
kennel to interact with him/her, CARA requires that volunteer return that resident to their kennel
prior to working with another resident animal. This protects the safety of the volunteers and
resident animals. Additionally it allows resident animals to stay in their kennel, on view to the
Public, during office and kennel hours. This allows for increased exposure and increased chances
of adoption. Dogs are all let into play yard daily by staff during non-office and kennel hours.
Volunteers are not allowed to distribute food to the resident animals without checking cage card
info to check for food requirements or without permission from staff member. Volunteers may
pass out treats at any time as long as the animal is not on special diet. Resident animals are fed on
a once a day schedule Monday-Friday and once a day on Saturdays and Sundays unless otherwise
stated by a Staff member or officer. Some residents have prescription diets. To ensure proper
nutrition for all residents, please check with staff or review cage card before an animal is fed.
Volunteers are encouraged to give fresh water to resident animals.
Volunteers under the age of 16 must volunteer with a parent or a responsible adult volunteer
partner. All volunteers under the age of 16 must stay with their adult guardian at all times during
volunteering; they are not permitted to work with resident animals unless the adult guardian is
present. Volunteers under 16 are not allowed to hold the leash when walking dogs, unless the
adult guardian is also holding the leash.
12.15.2015
7. CARA’s House staff is not allowed to give first aid to volunteers. There is a fist aid kit available
for volunteers to use when a medical emergency occurs. Staff needs to be informed of any bites
volunteers receive from resident animals that break the skin as soon as they occur. CARA is not
liable for any injury that occurs while volunteers are present in the building. CARA offers no
compensation for medical treatment/cost associated with injuries incurred while volunteering at
CARA’s House.
8. Euthanasia is an unfortunate part of running/operating CARA’s House. The decision to euthanize
is a difficult decision and will be made by the Shelter Director, CARA officer or approved staff
only. Volunteers will not be asked for input nor will input be allowed on this issue.
9. Vetting can only be done by approved Staff/officers at this time.
10. Certain medications can be given if need, but requires approval beforehand unless it is with their
cage card information.
- I understand 1-10 and agree to adhere to the requirements.
- I understand that new volunteers must start by walking dogs, socializing cats, attending off sites for
adoptions, or working in the office.
- I understand that certain areas of the shelter are accessible only to CARA staff/Officers and volunteers
with specific levels of training.
- I understand if I am not 16 years or older, I must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while
volunteering at CARA’s House.
- I will move animals only under the direction of staff members and never move or alter their paperwork
except when asked or directed to by Staff.
- I will be respectful to employees, other volunteers and our visitors at all times.
- I understand that CARA staff may ask me to leave areas of the shelter or end my volunteer status at
any time for any reason, including but not limited to failure to follow the rules, disruptive
communications with staff and/or other volunteers, negative attitude, failure to fulfill the requirements
of the job, or failure to represent CARA positively.
- I will sign the volunteer logbook upon arriving & sign out when leaving the Shelter.
- I understand that when handling a dog, it is my responsibility to keep the dog under control at all
times. This means keeping the dog from jumping on other people and dogs. The more obedient and well
behaved the dog, the more likely it is to be adopted.
- I will report anything unusual (sick or loose animal, a person in a section of the shelter that is off limits
to volunteers, etc.) immediately.
- If I am transporting foster or shelter animals, I understand that I must have a valid driver's license and
automobile insurance and may be required to show proof of licensure and insurance to shelter
personnel.
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Signature
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Date
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CARA’s House Director
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Date
12.15.2015
ANIMAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RULES
- Puppies and kittens are extremely susceptible to sickness. Therefore, under no circumstances are they
to be taken out their cages and put on the ground anywhere in the facility.
- Hand sanitizer must be used before handling each animal you come into contact with.
- I am responsible for removing waste when I walk a dog. Plastic bags are available as are dispensers on
grounds.
- When volunteering in the Cat rooms, the door must remain closed at all times if cats are loose. I will
exercise caution when entering and leaving Cat rooms so that no cats escape.
VOLUNTEER DRESS CODE FOR SAFE SHELTER OPERATIONS
- Close toed shoes must be worn at all times, preferably tennis shoes/work or mud boots to protect the
feet in the kennels and avoid the spread of contagion at the shelter and at home.
- Shorts should be slightly above the knees to avoid scratches and other animal contact. No short shorts.
- Dangling earrings and exposed necklaces should not be worn as they can be pulled by cats and dogs.
- Attire should be comfortable and appropriate for greeting the public in a professional shelter
environment.
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I acknowledge my position at Cara’s House is entirely voluntary and without compensation. I also
understand that nothing contained in this volunteer application or in the interview is to create an
expressed or implied volunteer contract between CARA and myself. No promises regarding volunteer
work or any duration of service have been made to me and I understand that no such promise is binding
unless issued by CARA in writing. I further understand and agree that if I am offered and accept a
volunteer position at CARA, my volunteering can be terminated with or without cause, or with or
without notice, at any time, at the discretion of CARA.
I acknowledge and agree that my volunteer position is contingent upon my signing this document or
completing and sending the electronic CARA’s House Volunteer Form and the Waiver of Liability.
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12.15.2015
WAIVER OF LIABILITY – CARA’s House
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I hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, AND DISCHARGE CARA/CARA’s House and Pet Smart of Gonzales
(hereinafter referred to as RELEASEES) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and
causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including
death, that may be sustained by me, or to any property belonging to me, while participating in
such activity, while in, on or upon the premises where the activities are being conducted,
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH LOSS IS CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES, or
otherwise and regardless of whether such liability arises in tort, contract, strict liability, or
otherwise, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
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I further hereby AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS the RELEASEES from any loss,
liability, damage, or costs, including court costs and attorneys' fees that Releases may incur due
to my participation in said activities, WHETHER CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OF RELEASEES or
otherwise, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
IN SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, I ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPRESENT THAT I have read the
foregoing Wavier of Liability, understand it and sign it voluntarily as my own free act and deed;
no oral representations, statements, or inducements, apart from the foregoing written
agreement, have been made; I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and fully competent; and I
execute this Agreement for full, adequate and complete consideration fully intending to be
bound by same.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Waiver and Agreement on this
_________ day of _____________, 2015.
PARTICIPANT:
WITNESS:
_________________________________
Sign
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Sign
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Print
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Print
12.15.2015
Responsible Adult Volunteer Partner Form
Definitions:
Minor- Any volunteer under the age of 16 years old.
Responsible Adult Volunteer Partner (RAVP)- An adult over the age of 18 years that will act as a
supervisor to a minor volunteer under the age of 16 years. The RAVP will be responsible for the minor
volunteer at all times during the volunteer shift.
Minor Guardian- The legal guardian of the minor volunteer.
I __________________ (Minor Guardian) allow ______________________ (Responsible
Adult Volunteer Partner) to supervise my minor ______________________while volunteering at Cara’s
House. The same policy applies to my minor when volunteering the RAVP as when
they volunteer with me.
1. The Minor Guardian, RAVP, and minor have all attended a volunteer orientation at Cara’s House.
2. The RAVP is responsible for supervising the minor at all times while volunteering.
3. If the RAVP and the minor have separate transportation, the minor may not enter the building
to begin volunteering until the RAVP has arrived. Additionally the RAVP may not leave until the
minor has left.
4. The minor must stay with the RAVP at all times while volunteering.
5. The minor is not allowed to hold the leash while walking resident dogs.
6. The minor is not allowed to work with animals separate from the RAVP.
7. When playing with dogs in the outside yard the minor is only allowed to enter a yard with the
RAVP and they can only handle one resident dog (or one play group) at a time.
8. It is not recommended that RAVP handle Red resident animals when volunteering with a minor.
9. If the above policies are not met, the minor and the RAVP may be asked to leave for that shift.
Additionally a meeting with the Director may be scheduled to discuss any situation of concern.
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Minor Guardian
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Date
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Responsible Adult Volunteer Partner
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CARA Staff Member
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