Volunteer Policies and Procedures

In order to work well with the staff and to present the Warren Animal Shelter in the best possible light, we ask that you adhere to the following policies and procedures while you are on duty as a volunteer.  Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action or termination.

Qualifications:

Volunteers must be at least 15 years of age to work without parental supervision, and must enjoy working with all types of people.  They must show a genuine concern for the animal’s welfare.  A willingness to work hard, get dirty, and pitch in wherever needed.  The ideal volunteer is self-motivated, mature, sensitive, dependable, a team player and reliable.

Volunteers will work directly with animals and exhibit a willingness to learn about animals and how to properly interact with them.  They must be able to react quickly to avoid any mishaps between animals and people.

Requirements:

Volunteers must complete a basic orientation session as scheduled before reporting to their first assignment.  Additional training may also be required.

Animals in our care must be treated kindly and professionally at all times.

Volunteers must agree to represent the Warren Animal Shelter, perform in a professional manner whenever so doing, and to allow personal views and opinions from clouding (overshadowing) or conflicting with the Warren Animal Shelter purpose.

Time commitment and scheduling:

We ask each of our volunteers to sign up for as many duties (hours) as commitments permit.  A minimum (average) of two hours of service per week is requested, but not required.  Volunteer hours are flexible.  With the exception of holidays, our volunteers are welcome to come in any time from 8am to 3pm, seven days a week.

Once you have agreed to be available for a particular shift, we count on you to be there.  In the event you are unable to be at your shift, please call 401 245-4569.

Signing in:

You must sign in each time you come to work and sign out each time you finish your shift.

Dress protocol:

You are as much a representative of Warren Animal Shelter as our paid staff.  Your appearance and conduct will reflect the Warren Animal Shelter.  All volunteers – even those who don’t specifically work as dog or cat handlers – are likely to come into contact with the animals.  For this reason, we require that all volunteers wear long pants and closed-toe shoes with good traction.  This is for your protection from scratches, bites or chemicals.  Volunteers with inappropriate attire (sandals, tank tops, etc) will be prohibited from handling the animals.  Volunteers are also required to wear nametags while on duty at the shelter or off-site.  For the first ten hours of service, you will be wearing a blank nametag that just reads “volunteer”.  If you cannot find your nametag or if you loose your nametag, please inform the staff so a new one can be made.

Restricted areas of the shelter:

Volunteers are not allowed in the sick cat room (isolation/quarantine) unless so directed to be there.

Customer relations:

The success of our organization depends upon the quality of the relationship between Warren Animal Shelter, employees, volunteers, customers and general public.  Our customer’s impression of the Warren Animal Shelter and their interest and willingness to utilize our services in greatly formed by the people who serve them.  In a sense, regardless of your position, the more goodwill you promote, the more our customers will respect and appreciate all that is done for the animals, you and the Warren Animal Shelter.

Smoking policy:

As per Rhode Island General Law, smoking is PROHIBITED inside the building.

Mistreatment of animals:

There will be no mistreatment of animals.  If a volunteer is found mistreating an animal, the volunteer will be asked to resign from their duties.

Misappropriation of supplies:

There will be no removal of shelter property or supplies without expressed permission of the animal control officer.

Workplace safety:

Safety is important to all of us.  Volunteers should conduct themselves in a way that promotes safety of themselves, co-workers, clients and resident animals.  Volunteers should never put themselves or others into a situation that makes them fearful or uncomfortable.  If you feel uncomfortable with a cat or dog’s behavior, please notify a staff member immediately.

Volunteer injury:

Any personal injury that occurs while volunteering for the Warren Animal Shelter should immediately be reported to a staff member.  Volunteers are not covered under the shelter insurance.

Volunteer feedback:

The Warren Animal Shelter encourages volunteers to make suggestions, voice concerns and give ideas about how the agency fulfils its mission to the community.  We are always looking for new ideas so if you have any ideas to share, please speak with the staff.

INCOMING ANIMALS

Stray animals:

Stray animals are housed in the kennel, quarantine/isolation, and intake areas of the building.

Holding period for strays:

A stray animal can be brought to us either by a citizen, Police Officer or Animal Control Officer.  By law, stray dogs must be held for five days before they can be evaluated, vaccinated, spayed/neutered and placed for adoption.  We do not take stray cats, therefore the cats that are received (other than those with extenuating circumstances) are evaluated, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, placed for adoption within 1 – 2 days of their arrival.

Time limits for adoptable animals:

The Warren Animal Shelter does not have “time limits” for adoptable animals.  All animals, which are placed for adoption, remain there until they find a new home.  Very rarely an animal may be euthanized if they become seriously ill or temperamentally unsuitable for placement.

Lost pets:

If a person loses their pet, the Warren Animal Shelter will fill out a lost pet tag.  We will collect as much information as possible about the pet and ask for a picture.  If we have their animals at the shelter, the owner is able to pick up their pet right away but may be subject to fines.  We require proof that dogs are both licensed with the town and rabies vaccinated.

Pet adoption fees:

The adoption process involves an application and a contract.  It is the goal of the adoption program to match each companion animal with an appropriate adoptive home.  Care is taken in screening both the animals and the adopters to be sure an ideal match is made.

Adopting a pet from the Warren Animal Shelter requires a non-refundable fee.  The fee helps us cover part of the cost of caring for the pet that’s been adopted as well as other pets in the shelter. 

v       Cats and dogs that are spayed/neutered - $80.00

v       Cats and dogs that are not already spayed/neutered - $80.00, however you are required to leave a refundable $20.00 deposit.  Once the pet has been altered, the adopter will receive a $20.00 refund or may donate it to care for other animals at the shelter.

v       Other animals are a reasonable donation to the shelter.

v       Services are provided through the Warren Animal Hospital.

Dogs and cats adopted from the Warren Animal Shelter include the following:

Animals remain available for adoption as long as their temperament and health remain sound.

Through the generosity and cooperation of local veterinarians and Helping Hands for Animals, the Warren Animal Shelter is able to provide low-cost spay/neuter surgeries to qualified applicants.