Volunteer Application and Information WELCOME TO THE MERIDEN HUMANE SOCIETY Thank you for your interest in volunteering at our shelter. Volunteers are the backbone of every non-profit and we welcome the much needed help. There is a variety of volunteer help that is needed and we ask that you let us know a little bit about yourself, your talents, and a brief history of any previous volunteer work at a shelter. Once this application has been processed, we ask that you come in for a first meeting where you will take a tour of our facility and have a discussion with our volunteer coordinator. We hope you will enjoy working at our shelter, as this can be a very rewarding experience. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW US, HERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO: We have resided in Meriden since 1893 and have provided a safe haven for abandoned and unwanted pets in Meriden and its surrounding towns. Today we serve an even greater purpose to the City of Meriden aside from housing pets. We offer several programs to Meriden residents at little or no cost. Trap, Neuter and Release Program for Feral Cats Our volunteers trap from a colony of cats, have them sterilized, vaccinated against disease and return them to the property (if they cannot be rehabilitated) to live out their lives. The colony is maintained and fed daily and if needed cats are re-trapped for any vet visits they may need. Feeding Program for Meriden residents facing hardships If a resident is unable to provide food and basic needs for their pets we are happy to provide them with essentials so that residents can keep their beloved pets. Hardship Veterinary Service - This program helps those in need of emergency vet care for their animals. We work jointly with the Meriden ACO, Sheriffs, Landlords, Fire Department, Police Department, Schools, Neighborhood Associations, Hospital Social Workers and Homeless Shelters, to save the countless numbers of animals that would otherwise be euthanized or left on the streets to die.
Volunteer Information Volunteers are taken on an as needed basis. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. Younger volunteers must be accompanied by a parent or an adult. Please make sure you sign the log book when you come in to volunteer. New volunteers, particularly younger volunteers who want to interact with animals, generally start with socializing cats in the main cat room, just to get a feel for the shelter and the numbers of animals involved. The next step is to feed the cats and clean cages and litter boxes. As volunteers become more familiar with the shelter they may become involved in other areas, which include among other duties: Main cat room assistant Kitten room assistant Cleaning dog kennels Laundry and kitchen duties Fundraising Cleaning the grounds Feline socialization Canine socialization General cleaning Rescue and T.N.R There is always something that needs to be done. If you find you have nothing to do. You have not asked or looked hard enough. There is always cleaning, sweeping, organizing, laundry and shoveling to do. If no one is available to assign you a job take the initiative and pick up a shovel or a broom! Unless a volunteer is given a specific assignment that requires him to go into the office, the office is for employees only. Public Etiquette Remember we are funded and supported by the general public. No one is to be ignored. Ask if a person needs help. If you are unable to answer a question or need further assistance find a manager or employee to talk with the customer. Be as kind and polite as possible regardless of the situation. Be positive. Disease Control If your are in contact with an animal that has not been seen by a vet, you put yourself and other animals and staff at risk for contagious disease. You never know what an animal could be carrying or how contagious it is. Often diseases need an incubation time and the animal looks fine but is still contagious. This is why it is extremely important for you to follow the intake procedures for all animals. If you do touch an animal, even though you shouldn t have, it is extremely important that you wash thoroughly and possibly change clothes. Don t touch any other animals in the building until you talk to a manager. If you come in contact with a sick animal the same procedure should be followed, wash hands, change clothes and restrict your contact with all other animals. Sometimes you have to work with sick animals. These animals have already been seen by a vet, diagnosed, and are starting treatment. Ask a manager how serious the illness is and what protocol you should follow. For general circumstances you should wear gloves and a shirt, smock, etc. over your clothes. Gloves and smocks should be changed with every animal. When medicating, wear gloves and never use the same syringe for two different animals. Everyone must wash hands after working with each animal.
M.H.S. VOLUNTEER APPLICATION 1. Name Address Phone Email address 2. Emergency contact (who) phone 3. Days and times you are available Sat Sun Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri hours hours hours hours hours hours hours 4. Experience with cats 5. Experience with dogs 6. Talents (ie: computers, construction, arts, handyman, bookkeeping, accounting, office work etc.) 7. Allergies? If so, to what 8. Any work limitations 9. What would you like to learn from your experience at the shelter? 10. Have you ever worked in a shelter/rescue environment? If so, Where/When Your duties: Are you still an active volunteer with them? If not, why did you leave?
Meriden Humane Society Voluntary Employment Policy I,, recognize that neither I, nor the Meriden Humane Society has entered into any contract of employment, expressed or implied. The relationship is one of voluntary employment at will. This means that I have the right to terminate my employment relationship at any time with the Meriden Humane Society, with or without cause, and that the Meriden Humane Society has the right to terminate my employment with or without cause, subject only to any notice and pay requirements agreed upon in writing at the date of hire. Signature: Date: Printed Name: Parent s Signature if volunteer is a child Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Meriden Humane Society Saving Lives One Adoption at a Time 311 Murdock Ave. Meriden, CT 06450 Phone: 203-238-3650 Fax: 203-630-0367 E-mail meridensociety@sbcglobal.net Liability Release Agreement I, the undersigned, have been made aware that and agree that I am not to hold the Meriden Humane Society responsible for any injuries, lost or stolen property, or damage to any property which I, the undersigned, incur while I am at the Meriden Humane Society. I understand that I am the only person responsible for my actions and thus the repercussions, especially when I am working with animals. I have read all material I was given and understand the general risks involved in working or volunteering in this facility. I also understand that there is no secure place for me to store any personal belongings and bring them at my own risk. Printed Name Date Signature Parent s signature if volunteer is a child Date
Please always remember that the health, safety, security, and finding a good home for our animals is our mission. Please stay away from the MAC side of the building MAC is a separate entity altogether. The dogs in MAC are not vetted they could possibly be carrying diseases that are transmitted through contact or are airborne. If you spend time in MAC, you may carry an illness back with you that could sicken or kill all of our animals. Only the shelter director and designated staff are permitted on the MAC side. If you have not been given clearance to enter MAC in advance, then know that you can t. If you enter MAC, you will not be permitted back on the MHS side of the building. This is not negotiable. If at any time you observe any person mistreating an animal or behaving inappropriately, please immediately bring it to the attention of the director or a senior staff member. Never are weapons or illegal substances permitted. Never is the use of alcohol permitted. Please dress accordingly. Please be aware of your vocabulary refrain from cursing. Always be courteous to everyone you meet. We never know who is a potential donor or adopter. Always say thank you and smile at anyone dropping off donations. These people are the lifeblood of our animals. There will be absolutely no bickering or arguing amongst volunteers. If you have an issue with another person from MHS, put it on hold and discuss it at a proper place and time. Watch what you say. If you have an issue with someone from MHS or MHS itself, again save it for a proper forum. Never say anything to anyone that will put MHS in a negative light. Remember always it is not about you, it is about MHS which means it s about saving our animals. We need to always keep in mind that perception of our donors and adopters is their reality. Representatives of the shelter need to give the appearance of being courteous and professional at all times. All of us are busy and have lives the time we can spend volunteering is limited. If at any time we appear as less than this, we are wasting the time and efforts of all of us and hurting our animals. Infractions of these policies will be considered grounds for terminating the relationship between yourself and The Meriden Humane Society.