Erna R Badstieber Paws & Claws Adoption Center Volunteer Application

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*ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL SINCE I DO EMAIL YOU YOUR APPROVED TO THE PROGRAM* *THIS IS NOT AN APPLICATION FOR COMMUNIUTY SERVICE IF YOU NEED COMMUNITY SERVE HOUR YOU MUST FILL OUT THAT APPLICATION*

The Paws and Claws Adoption Center strives to have an enjoyable, innovative, and organized volunteer program that benefits the animals and animal-lovers of Columbus. Volunteers can work Mondays through Saturdays. To volunteer at the shelter, volunteers must:·
- Be sixteen (16) years of age or older to come into the shelter alone. (If you are under 16 years you must have an adult with you a all times)·
- Be able to read, write and work independently without direct supervision
- Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift, and stand while working directly with the animals.·
- Have previous large dog handling experience if applying for a dog handling program (i.e. Dog Walking) (we are willing to train dog walkers)

New Volunteers MUST attend an orientation/training session. Please note that if the shelter receives more applications than it can accept, not everyone applying will be selected to volunteer.

The Volunteer Program IS NOT:
- For students who need to fulfill community service hours as part of a church, youth, or school program
- For students who need to fulfill community service hours due to a code of conduct violation
- For people who need to complete service hours due to a court mandated order
- Anyone who falls into these categories needs apply for our community service program or call us at the shelter 402-562-5683.

Attire for volunteering at the shelter:
- Casual, jeans and t-shirt type of clothing
- NO open toed shoes
- NO shorts (to enter the building you must have long pants on!!!)
- NO clothing with offensive language or photos.
- NO baggy or ripped jeans – If I can see your underwear or worse, you will be asked to go leave!
We are a business and many times prospective adopters do not know who is an employee and who is not, so dress appropriately.

We ask that volunteers direct potential adopters to a staff member with any questions and volunteers do not interfere when Animal Control Officers are here.

Youth· The Paws and Claws Adoption Center cannot accept volunteers under 16 years old into its in-shelter volunteer programs alone. (If you are under 16 years you must have an Adult with you) We can accommodate groups of youth (with chaperones) for several hours of volunteering or a behind-the-scenes shelter tours. Opportunities are limited and require one month’s notice. Please contact the Manager of Paws and Claws Adoption Center for more information.

Email *

How would you like us to contact you? *

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Today's Date *

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Name(s) of people who will be volunteering and ages: *

Home Address: *

City ,State , Zip Code *

Phone Number: *

Please Check Areas of Interest: *

Cat Socialization: Working with cats to ensure that they receive proper attention and socialization while at the Shelter. Brushing, grooming, and playing with the cats. (Employees only are to feed the animals) Ages 16+ (If you are under 15 years you must have an Adult with you)

Dog Walking: Walking and socializing Shelter dogs, giving the dogs attention, playing with dogs off-leash in the play yard. Ages 18+ (If you are under 17 years you must have an Adult with you (Adults are the only ones to be holding the leash when on a walk with children if under the age of 16 NO MATTER WHAT) Dog walkers - you will receive instruction on how to do some basic training so that you can teach the dogs you work with some basic manners. The better behaved the dogs are and the more commands they know, the better their chance of being adopted into a forever home. If you do dog walking and the dog walks you, we will not be able to let you continue as a walker.

Bathing and/or grooming cats and dogs as needed. Ages 18+ - You do not need to be a professional groomer but must be able to control the dogs and cats in the bath and while grooming. All animals bathed must be brushed out (free of matting) and “completely” dried before returning them to their kennels. (If you are under 17 years you must have an Adult with you)

In-House Care: The majority of our daily cleaning occurs between the hours of 8 AM to noon. Anyone wanting to assist with the daily care and cleaning would need to let us know what days they can help and would need to be here at 8:00 when we start. All the animals are taken out of their kennels, dogs are taken one at a time outside and the cats are allowed to exercise in the adoption room or the outside enclosure. All cages are cleaned, and disinfected, fresh water is given to each one, litter boxes are cleaned, animals are fed, poop is picked up from outside, bowls are washed, all floors are swept and scrubbed every day. We do have employees to do these tasks, but they always welcome extra help.

Off Site Adoptions and/or informational booths: This involves attending our off-site adoption events, handling an adoptable animal at the event, and fielding questions from the public/potential adopters about the specific animal. This is a fun opportunity to be involved with the adoption process and spend some quality time outside of the Shelter itself. Ages 16+ to handle the animals in public.Some of the events that we attend: Some of the events that we attend:

Fundraisers: Assisting at fundraising events by working booths, providing information to the public, serving as a representative of the Shelter, placing Dog Banks and collecting donations from Dog Banks, etc.

Photography/Videos or Pet Descriptions: Assisting staff members with, photography or video needs. Or writing a funny or clever pet description can help an animal stand out! Spend time each week getting to know our adoptable cats and dogs, then write about them from their perspective. Pet descriptions will be used on kennel cards, Pet Finder, and our website. Ages 16+ (If you are under 15 years you must have an Adult with you)

Housekeeping: Assisting with various housekeeping duties such as sweeping and mopping floors, washing dishes, dusting, washing windows, or doing laundry. Age 16+ (If you are under 15 years you must have an Adult with you)

Foster Care Program: Providing temporary in-home care to animals from the Shelter. This includes adult animals requiring special care and/or pregnant moms or newborn babies until babies reach 8 weeks. Interested parties must be registered as a Paws and Claws Foster Volunteer. Ages 21+

Yard Work: Mowing, weed eating, pulling weeds, snow removal, etc.

*MUST BE 19 or OLDER* Doggy Daycation: Dog Day Outs give our pets a much needed “break” from the stress of the shelter. They also help us learn about that pet’s behavior and their likes, dislikes. This helps us find them homes faster.

Required

Volunteering is a privilege, and the shelter reserves the right to refuse anyone from doing so.

Volunteers

You are not to be in the office area unless specifically asked to do something there. Do not answer the business telephone. You are not allowed to use the computer. Do not try to answer questions from someone at the shelter to adopt an animal. Explain to them that you are a volunteer, then help them find the manager or an assistant. When prospective adopters or other members of the public are viewing the animals, please refrain from entering the conversations between that person and the shelter employee. Please do not interfere with employees working with Animal Control Officers. (Once you've read this please say yes)
*

Volunteer/Community Service Worker Agreement and Release of Liability

I, the undersigned, have applied to be a volunteer for the Paws & Claws Adoption Center and that upon acceptance into the volunteer program; I hereby acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. That I will follow and abide by the procedures, policies and training presented to me for participation in the Volunteer

program and will take any comments, complaints or other suggestions regarding the program directly to the shelter

Manager.

2. That I authorize the Paws and Claws Adoption Center to seek emergency medical treatment for me in case of

accident, injury or illness. Furthermore, I understand that it is important to have a tetanus vaccination before joining

the volunteer program and thus I understand that it is important to discuss being vaccinated against tetanus with my

physician. I therefore release the Paws & Claws Adoption Center ant the City of Columbus from all injuries, claims or

other loss that I may incur because of my pursuing this matter further and receiving a tetanus vaccination.

3. That neither this agreement nor my participation in the volunteer program shall be interpreted or give rise to an

employee/employer relationship between myself and the Paws & Claws Adoption Center or the City of Columbus,

Nebraska. I understand I am not an employee while participation in this volunteer program and will receive no

compensation or other employee benefits.

4. That I understand that the behavior of domestic animals is at times unpredictable and that some domestic animals are

capable of inflicting property damage, serious personal injury and even death. I am well aware of the risks of handling

domestic animals and with such understanding, I hereby waive, release and forever discharge the Paws & Claws

Adoption Center and the City of Columbus, Nebraska, its employees, agents or trainers from any and all claims

(whether present or future) arising out of my participation in the volunteer program.

6. That I have read and understand this entire Agreement, specifically the release of liability in paragraph 4 and

acknowledge that participating in the volunteer program shall be at my sole risk. I further agree that if any portion of

this agreement is held invalid, the remainder thereof will continue in full legal force and effect.

(Once you've read this please sign your name and today's day)

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