Volunteer Handbook - Lenawee Humane Society

705 W. Beecher St., Adrian, MI 49221 - Phone: 517-263-3463 - Web: www.lenhumanesoc.org
Volunteer Handbook
Contact Information:
Jessica Taul, Shelter Manager
517-263-3463, Ext. 105
jtaul@lenhumanesoc.org
Rachel Houser, Program Director
517-263-3463, Ext. 106
rhouser@lenhumanesoc.org
Important Notes
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You must go online and complete a volunteer application prior to volunteering
with us. If you do not have access to the internet, please visit our shelter during
business hours and you will be granted access to our volunteer computer.
You must be 16 years of age or older to volunteer with the Lenawee Humane
Society without an adult volunteer chaperone.
All volunteers under the age of 18 must turn in a signed Parent or Legal
Guardian Release before volunteering.
The Lenawee Humane Society performs a background check on all potential
volunteers. This helps to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, and animals.
The Zoonotic Disease sheets at the end of this handbook are to be reviewed.
Please understand that these are diseases/parasites/viruses that you could be
exposed to while working in an animal shelter environment. Furthermore,
understand that contracting these diseases/parasites/viruses is very rare.
Don’t forget to log your hours! A computer is available for all volunteers to use in
our lobby. During your orientation, you will be shown how to use our VicTouch
system to log in and out.
All volunteers are provided with a green volunteer t‐shirt. Wear your t-shirt every
time you come in to volunteer with us so members of the public can identify who
can help them.
Please read this handbook in its entirety prior to your first day volunteering.
Organization Basics
Our Mission Statement:
Our mission is to care for unwanted animals, providing them with necessary medical
treatment, food, and shelter until we can find them a loving home.
Our Vision Statement:
Our vision is that every animal have a safe home and a family to love them.
Who We Are:
The Lenawee Humane Society (LHS) is a private, non-profit, tax exempt organization,
dedicated to caring for unwanted animals and providing them with necessary medical
treatment, food and shelter until we can find them a new home. Founded in 1921, the
Lenawee Humane Society is incorporated by the State of Michigan but receives no
government support. The Lenawee Humane Society is supported solely by donations
and membership dues. As a Society, we believe that all life should be revered and that
all living creatures should be treated with kindness and respect.
Animals entering our shelter are loved and cared for until they are placed in
forever homes. Euthanasia is never considered an option unless humanely necessary
to relieve undue suffering or the animal is deemed a threat to the community.
How do animals come to live LHS?
Each person and animal we meet has a unique story, but here are some of the most
common ways we receive our dogs and cats:
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Strays: Many of the animals residing at our shelter are strays brought to us by
Lenawee County Animal Control. By Michigan law, LHS must hold a stray animal
for at least 4 business days to allow owners time to claim their lost pets. We
make every effort to reunite lost pets with their families, but many remain
unclaimed and are placed up for adoption as soon as possible.
Owner Surrenders: Some animals are surrendered for adoption by their owners
for a variety of reasons. These pets are evaluated and placed up for adoption as
soon as possible also.
Safekeeping: These animals have a known owner and are temporarily housed
at LHS. Generally this is due to a court case for cruelty or neglect. These animals
may or may not be available for adoption. Some are returned to their owners,
and others are surrendered at a later date.
Volunteering at LHS
In addition to caring for animals housed at the shelter, volunteers can support the
Lenawee Humane Society mission in a variety of other ways:
 Shelter Opportunities - working onsite with animals and the public
 Administrative Assistance - mailings, letters, filing
 Adoption Events - at off‐site locations
 Community Outreach - school visits, humane education, etc.
 Fundraising Events – Howl-o-ween Ball, Walk ‘N Wag, bottle drives, etc.
 Foster Care Program - volunteer your home to help shelter animals in need of
additional care
Many volunteers devote their time to working in the shelter, some focus on a single
off‐site event, and others try out a number of activities. Regardless of your personal
preferences, we are all working toward the same goals, and we thank you for your
interest and your involvement!
Our online Volunteer Information Center (VicNet) will provide you with a list of volunteer
opportunities available with LHS. To remain an Active Volunteer, we ask adult
volunteers to contribute a minimum of 20 hours per year. A volunteer is considered
Inactive by their own declaration, or by not volunteering over the course of one year. To
be “reactivated,” a volunteer must contact the Program Director or Shelter Manager and
may be required to attend an orientation session before resuming volunteer activities.
What does it mean to be an Active Volunteer?
Being an active LHS volunteer means rolling up your sleeves and pitching in at the
shelter, or taking a role at events that benefit the shelter. Being active also
encompasses the following:
 Be an Ambassador! Tell people about LHS and what we do. Display a Lenawee
Humane Society flyer at your work place, or ask if your favorite store or local
business would be willing to do so. Flyers advertising events and our Wish List
are available in our Pawpourri Store lobby.
 Be an Attendee! By attending LHS fundraising events, you are showing your
support for our shelter and helping animals in need! A calendar of our upcoming
events is available on our web site.
 Get your company involved! Many companies support employee volunteer
efforts through a variety of initiatives, such as matching‐gifts programs where
they will match their employee donations. In some cases, your dollar donation
may be doubled or even tripled! Other companies offer incentives for their
employees to volunteer their time.
 Stay Informed! Things happen around here fast! You can check our web site or
follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see the latest news at LHS. You can also
sign up for our E-newsletter on our web site.
Shelter Basics
Policies and Procedures
Working with the animals is a responsibility and privilege that the Lenawee Humane
Society takes seriously. As such, we ask that you follow the policies and procedures
outlined in this handbook. Failure to follow the rules may result in your dismissal as a
volunteer of our organization.
Attire: Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty! You may be working
with bleach and disinfectants, so old jeans are ideal. Do not wear ripped or revealing
clothing. Tennis shoes or other rubber‐soled shoes that will not slip on wet floors are
recommended. Volunteers wearing open-toed or other inappropriate shoes or clothing
will be asked to go home and change. Dog walkers should dress according to the
weather. Please remember to wear your volunteer tag and volunteer t‐shirt when
working at the shelter or off‐site events.
Parking: When you arrive, please park to the far right of the parking lot along the side
of the building. The front parking lot needs to be available for customers and potential
adopters.
Signing In and Out: Don’t forget to sign in and out on the volunteer computer! Our
VicTouch module is user-friendly and will keep track of your service hours for you. You
can view your service record any time by logging in to our online Volunteer Information
Center (VicNet).
Personal Belongings: Do not bring valuables to the shelter. Lenawee Humane Society
is not responsible for items lost or stolen.
NOTE: Tobacco, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or intoxicants of any kind are NOT
allowed on shelter property.
Cellular Phone Use: We ask that you keep your cellular phone in your vehicle while
volunteering with us, which will allow your focus to remain on the task at hand.
You and the Public
Securing forever homes for the animals at LHS should be the #1 priority for all
volunteers. Therefore, your job as the liaison between LHS and potential adopters who
visit the shelter is very important. The staff will handle the actual adoption process, but
you may be asked to show the animals to potential adopters. It is a wonderful moment
when you pair a dog or cat with his/her new parents. As a new volunteer, you may feel
unsure about talking to the public. In the beginning, focus on being friendly and
pleasant, and making visitors feel welcome. The more you visit the shelter, the more
familiar you will become with the LHS policies and procedures, as well as the animals.
Our Adoption Process
When showing an animal many people will ask you about our adoption process. If
someone is interested in adopting one of our animals, direct them to the Adoption Desk
to fill out an adoption application.
If a pet has an Application Pending sign, this means that there has been at least one
application submitted for the animal, but we still encourage people to fill out an
application. As a precaution, we can never guarantee that an animal that doesn’t have a
pending or adoption sign has not been spoken for. Have the potential adopters check
with the Adoption Desk for an animal’s availability.
All adoption fees include sterilization (spaying/neutering), vaccinations to the date of
adoption, fecal test and de-worming, and a microchip. All dogs aged 6 months or older
have been tested for Heartworm Disease, and all cats have been tested for Feline
Leukemia and FIV. Adoption prices are posted on each animal’s cage card.
Some basic rules:
 If you are unable to answer questions posed by potential owners, please consult
with a member of the staff. Never give out incorrect information.
 NEVER allow the public to open a cage, enter a cage, or walk the dogs for
everyone’s safety.
 DOGS: You may show a dog to a potential adopter by taking him/her for a walk
outside or visiting with him/her in the adoption room, but you must be in control of
the animal at all times.
 PUPPIES: The adoption room is a good place to “show” puppies, but please
clean up any accidents and make sure that you keep a very careful eye on your
charge. Puppies can get into mischief in a heartbeat!
 CATS & KITTENS: A cat or kitten should be shown in the adoption room across
the hall from the Cat Room. A potential adopter may hold a cat in the adoption
room, but only after you have removed the cat from the cage and determined that
he/she is at ease. Take only one cat or kitten to the adoption room at a time. If
the potential adopter is interested in adopting two cats or kittens, please find a
staff member to assist them.
How to Handle the Animals
Being a responsible volunteer means keeping your eyes and ears open and using
caution and common sense. We want the shelter to be a safe environment for our
animals, staff members, volunteers, and visitors. Tetanus shots are recommended for
all volunteers, but not required.
Please DO:
 Report any signs that an animal may be ill to a staff member right away.
 Report all bites, scratches, or injuries to the Shelter Manager.
Please DO NOT:
 Open a cage that has a DANGER or other warning sign on it.
 Stick fingers into cages.
 Allow members of the public to stick fingers into cages.
 Put your hand into a cage when an animal is eating.
 Go into the isolation areas or intake areas.
Preventing the Spread of Infection:
 Wash your hands after handling an animal and before you touch another.
 Do not allow animals to share toys unless they are housed in the same cage.
 Do not let animals come in contact with each other unless they are housed in the
same cage.
 Do not let an animal touch another animal’s waste.
 Take a plastic bag and or poop scoop to clean up after the dog you are walking.
Care of Dogs
Handling Dogs:
Volunteers are only permitted to handle dogs that have been temperament tested.
While walking dogs, do not let them get within reach of each other. Do not encourage
dogs to jump on you or bite at their leash. We encourage you to take treats with you on
your walk and practice basic training and manners. Please notify our staff on any
progress you make so we can update their cage cards for potential adopters to see.
Always assess a dog before entering its cage. Notice its body language and read the
cage card carefully. Check with a staff member before entering the cage of a dog that
does not have a cage card. DO NOT walk a dog that makes you uncomfortable. If the
dog does not want to come out of its cage, leave him/her alone and inform a staff
member.
Dogs must have a collar in order to be walked. If you would like to walk a dog but notice
it has no collar, please ask a staff member to assist you.
Keep your dog close to you and on a short leash while walking through the shelter and
when entering and exiting the back door. They are excited about being outside and will
pull you and want to interact with other people or dogs.
Dogs are walked in the empty lot behind the shelter. You can take dogs for a long walk
down the sidewalk but you MUST have permission from the Shelter Manager before
leaving the premises with any animal.
Dog Kennel Cleaning:
All kennels have to be kept clean and disinfected to prevent the spread of disease
among the dogs. Please see the Shelter Manager to learn the correct cleaning
procedures.
If you see a dog in a dirty cage, please scoop and mop the waste. If the dog makes you
uncomfortable, please tell a staff member about the condition of the kennel.
Dog Grooming:
If you think a dog needs a bath, check with a staff member who will explain how to
properly bathe dogs. Do not attempt to bathe a dog on your own until you have been
shown how by a staff member.
You may brush a dog in the adoption room if it is available. If you are brushing a dog
outside, please keep the dog on his leash. Be sure to clean and put away all brushes or
combs after use, and clean up the area after brushing dogs.
Care of Puppies
Puppies under 4 months of age are NOT walked outside. They have immature immune
systems and we must limit their exposure to diseases.
Puppies can be socialized in the adoption room. Socializing = gentle cuddling and
playtime. Do NOT handle puppies roughly or encourage rough play. Please clean up
any accidents using disinfectant.
Puppy cages need to be cleaned frequently throughout the day. You should sweep out
puppy cages, replace bedding that is wet or dirtied, and replace toys that have become
soiled.
Care of Cats and Kittens
While you should not feed the cats unless directed to do so by a staff member, the cats
should always have fresh water unless noted otherwise (due to post‐surgical needs,
medical needs, etc.) If you are doing a quick watering job, use the plastic watering can
located in the cat room. The watering can is also handy for adding fresh water to cages
of cats that are difficult to manage.
Handling Cats:
Always assess a cat before opening its cage. Notice its body language and read its
cage card carefully. If an animal does not have a cage card, please tell a staff member.
Do NOT attempt to take a cat out of his cage if he appears frightened or upset.
Sometimes it is enough just to stroke his/her head and talk in comforting tones.
Cat Cage Cleaning:
All cages have to be kept clean and disinfected to prevent the spread of disease among
the cats. Please see the Shelter Manager to learn the correct cleaning procedures.
Between cleanings, the cages may require some maintenance. Make sure water dishes
are clean and free of food and litter. Scoop litter boxes when necessary. Litter scoopers
need to be disinfected between uses.
If bedding is wet or dirtied, remove it and replace it with fresh bedding. You may need to
move the cat into a cat carrier or have another volunteer hold the cat while changing the
bedding.
Cat Grooming:
You may brush a cat in the adoption room if it is available. Be sure to clean and put
away all brushes or combs after use, and clean up the area after brushing cats.
Upkeep of General Areas
A clean shelter is a mark of a successful shelter. If the animals are kept in a clean
environment, they stay healthy and happy. If the cages and general areas are clean, the
shelter is a pleasant place for the animals, the workers, the volunteers, and potential
adopters.
Dishes:
With so many animals to care for, it seems there are always dishes to wash! Please ask
a staff member to show you the correct cleaning procedures before washing dishes,
toys, litter pans, etc.
Laundry:
There is always laundry to do here at LHS! Please ask a staff member to show you the
correct cleaning procedures before using the washers or dryers. The staff will also show
you the proper storage place for clean blankets, towels, and toys.
Sweeping and Mopping:
Periodically throughout the day, the shelter floors may need to be swept and mopped.
Brooms, dust pans, and mop buckets are available for use in the Food Prep area.
Please ask a member of the staff to teach you how to prepare a bucket for mopping,
and always make sure a Wet Floor sign is placed in recently mopped areas.
In-shelter Work Priorities
Not sure what to do? When volunteering at the shelter, your priorities are as follows:
1. Your most important task is to make sure all the animals are given love and
socialization. Pats, strokes on the head, soft words, cuddles, and praise go a
long way. The more the animals are positively conditioned, the more adoptable
they become!
2. Assist potential adopters by making them feel welcome and showing them
available animals.
3. Make sure all animals have fresh, clean water.
4. Ensure that all cages are clean and dry.
5. Walk, exercise, and play with the dogs throughout the day.
6. Help keep the general shelter areas clean. This includes the halls and rooms
inside the shelter as well as outside where the dogs are walked for potty breaks.
7. Be sure to ask staff member if any other work needs to be completed. There is
always a job to do at LHS!
Thank you for choosing to volunteer with the Lenawee Humane Society!