VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION CHECKLIST

Please know that we APPRECIATE your valuable time, energy and willingness to Volunteer! You are a valuable asset to our team! The animals, the staff and the town THANK YOU!

We want to protect you, the shelter and the town. So please pay close attention to your orientation and initial as we go through each item with you. Please do not hesitate to ask questions…we always value your input!

All Incidents must be reported to the Director or Supervisor on Site. A written report will be required with your signature.________

Please note that Volunteers can be dismissed due to consistent tardiness/no show, not wearing uniform, rule breaking, fowl behavior, etc. This is not an all inclusive list. If a staff member feels your behavior is inappropriate we will discuss it with you as accordingly.

PLEASE NOTE THAT NONE OF THESE CAN BE CHECKED OFF UNTIL THEY ARE COMPLETED AT ORIENTATION!

DOGS

Volunteers are NOT permitted inside DOG CAGES with DOGS AT ANY TIME______
Blue Door to Playyard must be completely shut when taking dog out______
No outside food or treats to be given______
Do NOT Put fingers/hands inside/under cages at ANYTIME______
Only one Dog out at a time(unless otherwise given permission)______
Permission must be obtained before walking any dog______
Dogs must be walked on leashes while out in front _______
Do not bear hug dogs while walking/playing with them_____
Walker must clean up poop after dog_____
Volunteer must put all dog toys in bucket when done playing outside______
You must stay on Animal Shelter Property with dogs______
Shown how to properly put a dog on leash from cage______
Shown how to properly secure dogs while cleaning cages______
Learned how to clean and disinfect cage back & scoopers disinfected_______
Learned how to clean and disinfect cage front_______
Water buckets must be cleaned/filled/bedding & toys replaced_______
Shown where dog toys & clean bedding are_____
Shown where dirty items go________

CATS

Some cats are temperamental please ask a staff member before handling_______
Please get updated to the cats each time you volunteer: some go on medications and can not be let out or handled_______
Mama cats and her kittens are to only be handled by staff unless you have specific permission______
Permission must be granted by a staff member to let cats out of cages______
No outside food is to be given ______
Shown how to properly secure cats while cleaning cages_________
Learned how to clean and disinfect cage________
Cat bowls, litter boxes and bedding filled replaced or cleaned_______
Shown where cat toys/litter/ clean bedding are______
Shown where dirty items go________

OTHER ITEMS TO BE COMPLETED

There are times at the Shelter where we could use extra help on top of the normal routines. Some of these items would include greeting people in the lobby, filling the kitty litter/cat food bins, mopping&sweeping floors, emptying garbage/recycling bins, putting laundry on, folding laundry, answering phones, cleaning up any leftover Dog poop outside, cleaning other critter cages and lots of other things.

OTHER VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR POSITIONS

We have specific Volunteer Coordinator Positions Available Also. These Positions are for Someone who is interested in working Hands On to gain experience with Handling Animals, Marketing, Management, and Customer Service Skills ETC. These positions would be working directly with the Director and Supervisor. These positions look excellent on Resumes and allow you to gain skills in a Town Work Environment.

We are Currently Seeking a Volunteer Cat Outreach Coordinator:
Responsibilities include> Orientating new Volunteers- Recruiting New Volunteers-Helping to Organize/Participate at Fundraisers and some Management of Volunteers. This position requires about 10 hours a week.

We are also looking for a Volunteer Greeter/Animal Handler: Responsibilities include> Welcoming guests into the Shelter, Determining their needs, assisting them through the Shelter and Thanking them for Visiting as they exit. This position is available everyday, however our primary hours needed are Thursday 3-7, Friday 1-5, Saturday 11-3 and Sunday 11-3.

Staff/Volunteer Member Conducting Orientation______________________Date_______
Volunteer(Print Name)____________________________Date___________
Branford Animal Shelter
749 East Main St
Branford, CT 06405
203-315-4125
203-315-3851 Fax
animalshelter@branford-ct.gov

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Thank You For Choosing to Volunteer With Us!

Name______________________________Date___________________________

Phone____________________Cell/Work________________________________

Email Address______________________Age_______Birthdate______________

References:

Name_______________________Relationship_____________Phone______________

Name_______________________Relationship_____________Phone______________

EMERGENCY CONTACTS:

Name_______________________Relationship______________Phone______________

Name_______________________Relationship______________Phone______________

Hospital Preference________________

Do you have any allergies or other ailments we should be aware of? Y or N
Please Explain if answered Yes ________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Understanding Our Volunteers

Do you have any pets or have you in the past?_____________________________

Have you volunteered anywhere before/if so where?________________________

What areas of volunteering interest you?

Walking Dogs Cleaning Socializing with cats Bathing Dogs Fundraising

Other__________________________________________________________________

What do you hope to gain from volunteering?_________________________________

Do you have any special skills or job training that would be useful as a volunteer? Some examples: Computer Training, Painting, Animal Behaviorist and etc.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever been convicted of a crime/felony? Y or N
Explain_________________________________________________________________

VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES

We truly value you as a Volunteer and we depend on you to make our Shelter Successful! Just as in any normal operating business, we need scheduling, evaluating and consistent training and updating for our volunteers. Some of our Volunteers responsibilities include:

Scheduling Yourself in Advance-That way we can count on your help!
(Please note we reserve the right to determine volunteer hours and shelter needs)

Calling if you can’t come in- So we can schedule another volunteer in your place!

Wearing your uniform-We will provide you with our Volunteer T Shirt and you should wear black or khaki pants/shorts and sneakers. (Short Shorts/Skorts/Ripped/ Graffiti pants/Jeans are not acceptable)

Code of Conduct: We are in a Public Town Facility. We expect that you will act in a responsible manner, treat everyone equally& fairly, work as a team, communicate successfully and always feel free to ask questions or provide feedback. We reserve the right to terminate your Volunteer Privileges should you not conduct yourself in a reasonable manner.

Volunteer Signature_______________________Date_______________________
Guardian Signature________________________Date_______________________
Director/SupervisorSignature____________________Date___________________

CODE OF CONDUCT AND VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
This POLICY IS being accepted as of JULY 1, 2009

You are a valued member of our team and a great asset to the town, BUT please keep in mind you are representing the Town and the Director as well as the staff while you are assisting us at the facility. At times, it becomes difficult to separate yourself from animals and situations that are beyond your control. Please speak to the Director should you have any concerns.

Please note that the staff and the Director are employed by the Town and ultimately have final say over animal care, decisions and concerns. And while we may value your input, you do not have the ability to make any decisions as a Coordinator or a volunteer as to what ultimately suits the animals, the shelter and the public. Please also note, that while you are in this building your actions reflect on the Town, The Director and the Staff. It is a privilege to volunteer here, not a right. Please keep that in mind and act accordingly.

It is completely unacceptable as a Volunteer or a Coordinator to voice your concerns in front of the public or at the public at any time. Should you want to speak with the Director or a staff member, please ask to do so privately. Please also note that you may need to set up an appointment, as we may not have the availability at that exact moment. If the concern is with a guest, you must speak to the supervisor on site and they will resolve the issue. Also note ,that screaming, speaking condescendingly, slamming doors, or ignoring the Directors instructions , will ultimately lead to termination of your volunteer rights.

Cell phone use is not permitted in the building. Please utilize personal phone calls outside of the shelter.

Volunteer Coordinators have very specific duties of Overseeing Volunteers, Coordinating Orientation, and Promoting Fundraising efforts. If you are not capable of completing these tasks, you will be utilized as a Volunteer, but not as a Coordinator. Please note Volunteer Coordinators work very closely with staff and with doing so have the ability to delegate on our behalf. Should you have any questions please contact the Director.

Volunteers that are gaining hours for school, church or other organization must work 2 weekends a month at 3 hours per shift. You can choose either Saturday or Sunday but it must be a 3 hour shift. For example: Sat May 18-( 8-11) Sun May 19 (OFF) Sat May 25 (OFF) Sun May 26 (12-3)

The only exception to this rule is required by a Sick note, Employers note or other accepted only by the Director.

Volunteers doing this on your own personal time must complete 4 hours of service a month. That equals 2 hour shifts twice a month. You will find an example of what that means below. This is a minimum standard not a maximum. Please do not hesitate to add more hours if it suits your schedule!

Volunteers doing this on their personal time are required to complete a set schedule. Unfortunately we are no longer able to accommodate “walk ins”. It is ineffective for the staff and creates confusion. A set schedule example is below: Monday OFF Tuesday OFF Weds3-5 Thursday OFF Friday OFF Saturday OFF Sunday 12-2. We will need your availability a MONTH at a TIME, as we create schedules to accommodate MANY Volunteers and need to run the SHELTER as Effective as Possible.

We will issue you a schedule that you can write down your availability for each month and keep in our NEW Volunteer Book. You will be responsible for updating it each month. If you are sick or unable to complete your 4 hours per month we will review it on a case by case basis. We need full understanding of our new policy and compliance from both seasoned volunteers and new volunteers.

Summer volunteers are expected to follow the new policy as a regular Volunteer would ,but only limited to summer time availability.

We understand how difficult change is, however we have to do what is in the best interest for The Animals, Staff and Shelter!

We truly appreciate your continued support of our Shelter, our animals and our staff. We hope to continue our success with you!

PLEASE SIGN HERE THAT YOU FULLY UNDERSTAND, RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILTIES OF OUR VOLUNTEERING SYSTEM: