Volunteer Handbook

Volunteer Expectations

• Treat all animals with kindness, patience, and respect.
• Treat fellow volunteers, adopters, fosters, donors, and community members respectfully.
• Follow instructions provided by organizational leadership.
• Arrive on time for scheduled events and volunteer commitments.
• Communicate promptly if you are unable to fulfill a commitment.
• Represent the organization positively in public and online.

Animal Care & Handling

• Always prioritize the safety and well-being of animals.
• Report injuries, illnesses, concerns, or unusual behavior immediately.
• Follow all animal handling instructions and safety procedures.
• Do not administer medication or medical treatment unless specifically authorized.
• Never engage in behavior that could harm, neglect, or endanger an animal.
• Use humane handling techniques at all times.

Confidentiality

Volunteers may have access to sensitive information including adoption applications, foster applications, volunteer applications, donor information, and internal organizational matters.

Such information should be treated as confidential and should not be shared outside the organization unless authorized.

Social Media & Public Communications

• Be respectful and professional when discussing the organization online.
• Do not post confidential information.
• Do not make official statements on behalf of the organization unless authorized.
• Use good judgment when sharing photos, videos, and animal updates.
• Help promote the organization's mission in a positive manner.

Code of Conduct

• Harassment, bullying, intimidation, or threatening behavior will not be tolerated.
• Discrimination of any kind is prohibited.
• Volunteers are expected to act professionally and responsibly.
• Safety violations may result in suspension of volunteer activities.
• Volunteers should seek assistance whenever they are unsure how to handle a situation.

Safety

• Immediately report injuries, accidents, or unsafe conditions.
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear when volunteering.
• Follow all event and facility safety procedures.
• Use proper lifting techniques and request assistance when needed.
• Do not engage in activities for which you have not received instruction or authorization.
• To ensure the safety and well-being of animals, volunteers must not use mobile phones, headphones, earbuds, smart devices, or other distracting electronic devices while actively handling, supervising, transporting, or caring for animals, except in an emergency or when specifically authorized by rescue management.

Hold Harmless and Release of Liability

Volunteers acknowledge that animals are inherently unpredictable and may, despite reasonable precautions, cause injury, illness, death, or property damage. By volunteering with Pawsitive Place Rescue, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with your participation, including risks arising from the handling, care, transportation, fostering, possession, or control of animals. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to release, waive, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Pawsitive Place Rescue and its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, or causes of action arising out of or relating to your volunteer activities, participation in rescue operations, or interactions with animals, except to the extent caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Pawsitive Place Rescue.

Volunteer Service Status

Volunteer service is voluntary and may be ended at any time by either the volunteer or Pawsitive Place Rescue.

Failure to comply with organizational policies, safety requirements, animal welfare standards, or standards of conduct may result in the suspension or termination of volunteer privileges.