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VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Welcome! The Green Lake Animal Shelter (GLAAS) is excited to have you as a volunteer. Your contributions are a great asset to our organization, our staff, and the animals.

Our Mission:

With customer service as a primary focus, the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter seeks to enhance the lives of animals and people through education, compassion and adoption.

Our Goals:

* Ensure the shelter is a safe environment for all the animals

* Treat all animals and people with respect

* Keep all information shared within the application confidential

* Make every effort to find the animal’s owners or find a suitable home for the animals

* Follow up on any adoptions to make sure animals are being cared for properly

* Partner with or assist animal control authorities

* Provide humane education in animal care

Application Process:

To be a GLAAS volunteer you must meet the following guidelines:

Be 17 years of age or older, or be accompanied in all volunteer activities by a parent or guardian.

Be a GLAAS member. Individual and family memberships are $25 for the calendar year. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Shelter Manager.

Complete a volunteer application and be approved for mandatory training.

Contact the Ripon College Office of Community Engagement at 920-748-8153 and ask to speak to the Volunteer Coordinator to set up your training time.

Participate in training and demonstrate that you can perform tasks utilizing the knowledge and skills learned.

After orientation and training, set up a schedule with the Shelter Manager and be committed to fulfilling this responsibility.

Expectations:

It is the expectation of GLAAS that our volunteers:

* Accept responsibility for upholding the GLAAS mission, purpose and goals

* Demonstrate compassion towards the animals you are working with

* Dress appropriately and safely for work, including having a neat appearance, non-slip shoes, and minimal jewelry

* Be able to work independently and use resources in an efficient manner

* Fulfill all scheduled volunteer commitments

* Greet visitors, but refer questions to GLAAS staff when you are unsure of the answer. Never guess.

* Inform the Shelter Manager of changes in your address, phone number, or emergency contact information

* Maintain confidentiality of shelter records and information

* Be free from the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while on GLAAS property

* Provide advance notice to staff if you can not make your scheduled volunteer commitment

Shelter Policies:

As a volunteer, you should familiarize yourself with these GLAAS policies.

Adoption Policy

One of the goals of Green Lake Area Animal Shelter, Ltd. is to place pets in suitable, compassionate, permanent homes. Therefore, we strictly follow the requirements listed below.

No person under the age of 18 may adopt a pet.

All adults living in the household must have knowledge of and consent to the adoption.

All animals in the adopter’s household must be spayed or neutered prior to an adoption.

All potential adopters must complete an Adoption Questionnaire, as well as a Cat or Dog Questionnaire, which will then be reviewed and processed by a member of GLAAS staff. GLAAS does not approve adoptions on a first-come, first-serve basis. Adoption approval is based on what is in the best interest of the pet.

All adoptions will be held for a minimum of 24 hours to check landlord, veterinarian, and personal references, confirm home ownership, and to ensure that impulse decisions are not being made. This 24-hour hold may only be waived at the discretion of the Shelter Manager.

HSUS guidelines read “Puppies and kittens should be at least four months of age before being placed in homes where there are children under six years of age. Health and humane authorities agree that a young child usually cannot be expected to handle a puppy or kitten properly. Mishandling is likely to result in injury to the animal, the child, or both.” For this reason, the Shelter Manager may require a visit from the whole family before approving the adoption.

Adoption fees are to be considered a donation, and are therefore not refundable. The Shelter Manager will evaluate exceptions on an individual basis.

Adopters of unaltered animals must pre-pay for the sterilization surgery with a veterinarian before the time of adoption.

Misrepresentation of information on the Adoption Questionnaire may be reason for denial of adoption.

Exceptions to the above policies are made at the discretion of the Shelter Manager.

This policy revised and effective January, 2010.

Open Door Policy

The Green Lake Area Animal Shelter is an organization that seeks to provide aid and shelter for all companion animals in need. No animal will be turned away due to age, health, behavior, lack of space, or the ability of the surrendering owner to pay a fee.

This is also an organization that seeks to place as many animals as possible in loving homes. Because of this, every effort will be made to schedule incoming animals so that euthanasia need not be performed to make space for new arrivals. Staff will work with other shelters, breed rescue groups, available foster homes, or the pets owner may be asked to wait to bring the animal to the shelter. If no other arrangements can be made and/or the animal is in immediate need of shelter, the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter will abide by its open door policy, and the animal will be accepted.

Policy effective April 1, 2005

Heroes & Underdogs

The Green Lake Area Animal Shelter is proud to introduce our Heroes and Underdogs Program. This program involves offering dogs for different adoption fees based on their needs and/or adoptability. We may ask a higher adoption fee for a shih tzu puppy for instance, while offering a senior lab mix at a greatly reduced price. The shih tzu puppy then becomes the Hero for the Underdog senior lab mix.

All dogs adopted from the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter are spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and have been on heartworm and flea+tick preventative. We also offer a free bag of food and a free 30 day health insurance policy with your adopted pet.

Each dog will be evaluated as an individual when determining what adoption fee we will ask. Our general guidelines are as follows:

Some small, pure, or rare breeds

$175

Puppies 9 months or under

$150

Adult and/or mixed breed dogs

$90

Senior or Special Needs dogs

$35

When looking at prices, it is important to remember two things. First, we spend between $125 and $300 on each and every pet we place up for adoption, including cats, for whom we often get no adoption fee whatsoever. Adoption fees, while an important part of our budget, do not come close to meeting our expenses. Second, if you acquire a dog from a source other than GLAAS (or another shelter), you would have to complete all vaccinations, spay or neuter surgeries, etc., at your own veterinarian. The costs involved could easily exceed $300-$400 or more. In addition, adopting a dog from a shelter saves a life.

This program becomes effective August 25th, 2008.

GLAAS/PetFixer Training Services

Training services will be offered by Janine Rubeck, ‘Pet Fixer,’ through the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter. Payments for training services will be made directly to Janine Rubeck. All expenses incurred through this program will be the responsibility of Janine Rubeck.

Dog training services are conducted in the owner’s home. Sessions can last between 45 minutes and three hours, depending on several factors, but the average session is two hours. The fee is $30 per session. For appointments in excess of a ten mile radius from the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter, a 50 cent per mile surcharge will be added to the regular session fee. For multiple dog households, an additional $10 per dog will be charged in addition to the regular session fee.

Cat behavior consultations will be offered at no charge. Home visits or in-person consultations will be offered as needed and billed accordingly (see fee schedule for dog training). If the client wishes to pay for cat consultation services, they may make a donation to the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter.

The Board of Directors of the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter endorses this training program. There are no expenses or fees for GLAAS. Any contributions made to GLAAS are at the discretion of the client, and given as general donations.

Accepted and approved March 8, 2010.

Euthanasia Policy

We have a responsibility to evaluate every animal we make available for adoption. Every effort will be made to solve behavior problems or look for placement through other shelters or rescue groups before the decision to euthanize is made. Some of the factors used when considering an animal for euthanasia may include:

Surrender information, such as a history of aggression, or significant behavior problems

Age

Health

Breed, as it relates to any other issues, such as aggression

Registered bites

Temperament test results and behavior history while at the shelter

Length of time at the shelter, as it relates to deterioration of the animals mental health and behavior problems

Significant or severe aggression toward other animals

Illnesses or diseases that jeopardize the health of the rest of the population

Injuries, when the advice of a veterinarian determines euthanasia is best

In cases of known or suspected rabies exposure, the animal will be handled in accordance with state law

Orphaned puppies or kittens unable to survive without a nursing mother, when no same- species foster mother is available

Animals determined to be vicious or dangerous under state and local laws will be euthanized

All cats testing positive for FeLV or FIV will be euthanized. All cats suspected of having FIP will be euthanized.

All feral cats will be euthanized, unless an acceptable TNR program is in place

A committee including any staff members, the shelter manager, and/or a veterinarian will make euthanasia decisions. A veterinarian will be consulted on matters of physical health for the determination of feasible treatment. The committee will meet no less than once weekly to maintain a physically and mentally healthy population.

Policy effective April 1, 2005.

Adoption Auditions

GLAAS Foster-To-Adopt Program

The pets offered through this program may have quirks or eccentricities that have prevented them from finding a permanent home. The purpose of the ‘Adoption Auditions’ program is to offer potential adopters the opportunity to spend some time with one of these future celebrities in their home before offering them a permanent role as a family member.

The goal of this program is to encourage potential adopters to take a second look at the older cat, or the dog on a special diet, or the pet that just needs a little more TLC to become a star.

Volunteer Guidelines

Following the relevant volunteer training/orientation, volunteers are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to complete the different tasks asked of them, such as:

Have the ability to work independently without supervision from staff or other volunteers.

As a volunteer you agree to receive and follow the directions given by GLAAS staff

Maintain confidentiality of information about people and animals

Complete assignments in a thorough and accurate manner, maintain high quality of work

Be prompt and dependable

Fulfill commitments

Healthy and Safe Environment:

Protection for the animals and people is of the utmost importance. Several basic principles must be followed:

Wash your hands between the handling of different animals and when finished with specific tasks

Report animal health conditions that may require immediate medical treatment (unusual patterns of food and water intake, body fluid output, posture and attitude)

DO NOT let visitors remove or replace animals in cages

Tactfully and carefully correct visitor violations and explain they exist for protection of both the animal and themselves

Potential Danger:

GLAAS volunteers will not be asked to put themselves in potential or harmful situations (e.g., dealing with vicious animals or angry people). If at any time the volunteer feels uncomfortable or threatened, he or she must cease the activity and report it to the staff immediately for assistance.

Practice Safety:

GLAAS volunteers do not have coverage under Workers’ Compensation in the state of Wisconsin. The costs of medical care for injuries sustained while volunteering are the responsibility of the volunteer. Risks include but not limited to:

Spills

Lifting of heavy objects or animals (do not attempt by yourself)

Threatening or aggressive animal behavior

If bitten or scratched, immediately wash area with warm, soapy water and contact staff. Complete an Injury Report. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may need to see a physician. If these risks concern a Volunteer Applicant they may wish to volunteer in indirect support activities (Fund Raising, Customer Service, Office Activities or Site Activities)

Rejection of Application/Termination:

Protection of animals and people guide the Shelter Manager’s decisions regarding applications and terminations. For the applicant’s own safety, the Shelter Manager may not accept an application if she or he believes an applicant cannot abide by the GLAAS Mission, follow the volunteer guidelines, meet the qualification as listed in this manual, or work independently in a safe manner, confidential and efficient manner. For the volunteer’s own safety, volunteers may be asked to discontinue their service if the Shelter Manager determines a volunteer has violated the GLAAS guidelines, operating policies and procedures, or does not have/no longer demonstrates the ability to perform the GLAAS volunteer tasks and activities as required.

Ethics Code

In the interest of the welfare and promotion of all animals of all kinds, and in the interest and promotion of the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter, we set forth this code of ethics:

No member shall participate in the wholesale selling of animals to such places as catalogue houses, pet dealers, or any speculative source of distribution. Members shall not irresponsibly participate in the offering of animals as prizes in raffles, contest, or drawings of any sort.

All personal companion animals shall receive appropriate annual veterinary care and receive yearly vaccinations against communicable diseases

No member shall have been convicted of any form of animal abuse.

Only appointed members may act as the official spokesperson for GLAAS.

GLAAS and its reputation should be the prime concern of all members, and should be placed above individual prestige or monetary gain.

When participating in any activity GLAAS undertakes, members will conduct themselves in a courteous manor which will be a credit to themselves, their association and the animals they represent.

Volunteer Application

Name: ___________________________________ Date:_________________________

Address: _____________________________________________email:____________

City: ___________________ State: _______ Zip: _________ Phone: ______________

Emergency Contact and Relationship:_________________________________________

Drivers License? ____Y _____N Restrictions:__________________________________

Previous Volunteer Experience: _____________________________________________

Employer or School: ______________________________________________________

What brought you to GLAAS as a volunteer? ___________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

How often would you like to volunteer? _______________________________________

The undersigned, as an applicant for a volunteer position with the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter agrees to have read and understood, and agrees to adhere to the Code of Ethics of GLAAS. The undersigned also agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless GLAAS and its employees and agents against all claims, liabilities, loss damages or expenses incurred on account of any injury to any person or any damage to property, caused by or resulting from activities performed as a volunteer for GLAAS. Your signature also states that you have read and taken into consideration the risks and other possibilities of volunteering at the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter. It also shows your acknowledgment of all that is being asked of you as a volunteer.

Applicant Signature: _______________________________________ Date:________________

Parent/Legal Guardian Signature (if under 18):________________________ Date:____________

This sheet is to be reviewed, completed, signed and returned to the GLASS staff member on duty. You will be provided a copy upon request. The manual is yours to refer back to whenever you would like. Thank you for your interest in helping the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter, we are proud to have you working with us!

You may be asked many different questions by visitors to the shelter during your volunteer time with us. We ask that you refer most questions to GLAAS staff.

Here is some general information that you may use when speaking with customers or potential adopters.

Our business hours are Tuesdays from noon to 6pm and Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from noon to 4pm. We are available by appointment outside these hours. Appointments are only made at the discretion of the Shelter Manager.

We have an Adoption Questionnaire that potential adopters are required to complete. This can be found in the office.

The adoption fees for dogs vary depending on the dog. The adoption fees for cats vary depending on the cat and the season. For more information, see GLAAS staff.

We accept animals from a variety of places. Some arrive as strays, many are surrendered by their owners, and a few are transferred in from other rescues. Appointments are necessary to relinquish pets to GLAAS.

We have a specific declaw policy, so do not discuss declawing cats with potential adopters. Refer all declaw questions to GLAAS staff.

Adult volunteers are always welcome. Volunteers 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Since we are such a small shelter, most of our storage is kept in either the basement or the laundry room. Here is a brief list of some of the items you may need and where they are kept:

All dishes, cleaning products, and garbage bags are located on the shelves next to the refrigerator.

Dog treats are located in a few spots. Ask GLAAS staff member to assist you.

Cat treats, toys, blankets, food and other cat supplies are located in the cupboards in the cat room.

Grooming brushes or combs are in a bin in the shelves just next to the cat room door.

Towels of various sizes are on the shelves next to the dryer. Used towels can be placed in the laundry bin to be washed.

Paper towels are also on these shelves. There is usually an open roll on the shelves near the clean dog dishes.

We separate aluminum cans, paper products and other recyclables from the regular garbage. Please locate the proper receptacle.

Any soiled machine washable dog or cat toys can be placed in the laundry bin. Other toys, dishes, brushes, etc. can be placed in the sink to be washed. Everything you use should be washed at the end of the day, such as litter scoopers, brushes, or the larger cat toys.

Cat Socialization

Cats may be exercised one cage at a time. This means either one single cat or roommates that are sharing a cage. Exceptions to this may be made only at the discretion of GLAAS staff.

Please do not attempt to do any medical or care procedures, such as but not limited to: nail trimming, ear cleaning, suture removal or administering of medicines.

Alert staff to any concerns such as vomiting or diarrhea, or signs of illness. Please do so in private so that no customers or potential adopters are within earshot. It is not our intention to be deceitful; we simply do not want to expose visitors to the unpleasant parts of our jobs.

You may straighten or replace bedding, refill food or water dishes, scoop litterboxes, or refresh any other parts of the cat cages as needed. Each cat cage should have one large blanket covering the entire floor of the cage, one smaller blanket in the front corner for resting, a food dish and a water dish clipped to the side of the cage (that the door hinges on where applicable), a litterbox with a clip holding it to the rear of the cage, and one or two toys. Changes to this set-up can be made at the discretion of GLAAS staff.

Cats in cages with no cage card may only be exercised by GLAAS staff.

Please direct customer questions or potential adopters to GLAAS staff.

It is our goal to keep the cats as healthy and stress free as possible during their stay with us. To this end, we ask that you follow the rules listed below.

When interacting with the cats, please remember that in most cases, we know very little about their individual personalities until they have spent some time here with us. You should always assume that the cat will not accept interaction, and then take your cue from the cat.

First, quietly greet the cat with its cage door still closed. If the cat is crouched down, crouches further upon your greeting, is staring at you with wide eyes, pupils fully dilated and/or ears back, takes any overtly aggressive actions, such as growling, hissing, swatting or lunging, do not proceed.

If you have determined that the cat is interested in you, quietly open the cage door. DO NOT immediately reach in and grab the cat! You should always allow the cat to initiate interactions. You may gently and slowly extend your fingertips to the cat for her to sniff. If this alarms or frightens the cat, quietly close the cage door and move to the next kitty.

If the kitty is interested in you, she may decide to jump out of her cage herself. If she does not, and she is accepting your touch, you may lift her down. As some shelter cats become excited about their exercise time, it is best if you lift the cat down and immediately put her on the floor or a cat tower. Do not, at this point, attempt to squeeze or hug, as the cat may be too agitated for this yet.

After the kitty has had a moment to scratch on the post or sniff around the room, you may now engage her in play or petting, whichever SHE prefers. If you are exercising a juvenile, for instance, he may rather run and play than cuddle.

DO NOT play rough with the cats, or use your hands as toys. DO NOT throw the cat toys around the room or bang the fishing poles toys against the floor or wall. We encourage you to play with the cats calmly, and gently toss the toys or swing the fishing pole. DO NOT attempt to put any part of your body inside the cat furniture with the cats, except for your hand when removing the cat. DO NOT attempt to hold cats like human babies, either on their backs or under their armpits.

If you like, and if the cat tolerates it willingly, you may choose to brush or comb the kitty. Do not attempt to do any cutting or grooming.

If, while interacting with a cat, it becomes agitated or aggressive, do not attempt to handle without assistance from GLAAS staff. Leave the cat and alert staff immediately.

When you are finished with one cat, place it safely back in its cage and close the door before proceeding with the next kitty. If the cat is hiding in a piece of cat furniture and will not come out willingly, do not attempt to dump them out and do not pound on the furniture to try to scare them out. Ask GLAAS staff for assistance.

Dog Socialization

Dogs may be exercised one at a time. Exceptions to this may be made only at the discretion of GLAAS staff.

Please do not attempt to do any medical or care procedures, such as but not limited to: nail trimming, ear cleaning, suture removal or administering of medicines.

Dogs may only leave the building and fenced exercise yards when they have been properly fitted with a martingale collar and a standard leash. Exceptions to this may be made only at the discretion of GLAAS staff.

Dogs being exercised should enter and exit through the laundry room door. Use caution, making sure that other animals in the office area are isolated safely in the other room.

Dogs may be walked anywhere around GLAAS property, across the drive on Egbert’s property, or around the storage condominiums. DO NOT walk dogs toward or near the highway.

The purpose of walking the dogs is to exercise them, so feel free to walk as briskly as you and the dog can both tolerate, and weather permits. You are not expected to do any training. You may certainly encourage good manners, but if a dog is too difficult to handle, please consult GLAAS staff on how to proceed.

You may clean up or refresh kennels as needed. Dog kennels should have bedding in the bed, a water dish and one or two toys. Changes to this set-up can be made at the discretion of GLAAS staff. Dogs are fed by a member of GLAAS staff.

A member of GLAAS staff may ask you to walk through the kennels and hand out treats to all the dogs. Specific instructions will be given at that time. The general procedure is to walk through the kennels calmly, confidently and happily. Use treats that can be safely handed through the kennel without the dog having access to your fingers. Stop in front of the kennel and wait for the dog to quiet and pay attention to you. Immediately give the dog the treat.

Two volunteers may walk dog buddies together, under the approval of GLAAS staff.

All volunteer opportunities are negotiable, and we are always grateful for adult volunteers. Volunteer duties require that you schedule your time in advance. Volunteering at GLAAS is a privilege, and should be considered a commitment like any other job. There is a training period, and we ask that you commit to the hours you request. The animals depend on you!