800.04 volunteer selection and registration process

1. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 1
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
I. PURPOSE
To establish a uniform procedure for conducting volunteer orientations and the selection
of new volunteers.
II. POLICY
OC Animal Care requires that all volunteers attend orientation and go through an
extensive selection process. Volunteers shall be selected based on the needs of the
program. Not all potential volunteers will be accepted.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to the Volunteer Program Coordinator.
IV. FORMS
Volunteer Orientation Sign-In Sheet
Volunteer Interest Applications
Online Volunteer Application
OC Animal Care Volunteer Policy
Photo Consent Form
Foster Caretaker Application
Foster Caretaker Agreement
Quarterly Timesheet
Dog Socializing Log
Cat Socializing Log
Rabbit Socializing Log
Kitten Nursery Cleaning Log
Volunteer Not Selected Letter
Volunteer Selected Email
V. REFERENCES
Volunteer Orientation Packet
Volunteer/Intern Safety Handbook
Volunteer Manual
Orange County Volunteer Related Opportunities
Kitten Nursery Cleaning Procedures

2. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 2
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Volunteer Orientation
The Volunteer Coordinator or designee shall give a presentation to all potential
volunteers. Orientation sessions may be conducted quarterly. Potential
volunteers shall be provided a copy of the Volunteer Orientation Packet which
shall cover the following:
1. Programs and Services of OC Animal Care
A general overview of each department is given to ensure potential
volunteers feel they are choosing to volunteer in a program that they are
comfortable with.
2. Requirements of the volunteer program
Due to the unique environment of the shelter, OC Animal Care requires
potential volunteers meet a minimum criteria to be considered for
placement within the program. The following are the program
requirements:
a. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
b. Volunteers must be willing to commit to a minimum of eight hours
a month for at least three months.
c. Volunteers must be willing to schedule the hours they will be
volunteering using the online Volgistics scheduling system.
d. Animal experience is desirable, but not required.
e. Volunteers must have the ability to follow and understand OC
Animal Care volunteer policies and guidelines, including OC
Animal Care policies on euthanasia.
f. Potential volunteers must write a cover letter explaining why they
want to volunteer with OC Animal Care.

3. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 3
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
g. Interviews are conducted, if necessary, to determine the potential
volunteer’s qualifications. Volunteers must attend training for the
position in which they are placed.
3. Positions Available
a. Dog Walker
Volunteers walk and exercise available shelter dogs in designated
areas. The goal of the program is to provide adoptable dogs with
much needed exercise, human contact, mental stimulation and
basic training.
Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two hours of
training with the Volunteer Program Coordinator or Lead
Volunteer Trainer. During training, volunteers will receive hands-
on practice working with shelter dogs. Before training is
completed, volunteers must be able to demonstrate how to safely
remove and replace a dog in the cage, interact with a dog in the
exercise yard and use the Dog Socializing Log. Staff reserves the
right to require additional training.
b. Cat Socializer
Volunteers socialize available shelter cats in designated areas. The
goal of this program is to provide adoptable cats with much needed
exercise, human contact and mental stimulation. A volunteer’s
time with the cats will improve the quality of their lives and help
prepare them for adoption into loving homes.
Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two hours of
training with the Volunteer Program Coordinator or Lead
Volunteer Trainer. During training, volunteers will receive hands-
on practice working with shelter cats. Before training is
completed, volunteers must be able to demonstrate how to safely
remove and replace a cat in the cage, interact with a cat in the
visiting room and use the Cat Socializing Log. Staff reserves the
right to require additional training.
c. Rabbit Socializer

4. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 4
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
Volunteers socialize available shelter rabbits in designated areas.
The goal of this program is to provide adoptable rabbits with much
needed exercise, human contact and mental stimulation. A
volunteer’s time with the rabbits will improve the quality of their
lives and help prepare them for adoption into loving homes.
Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two hours of
training with the Volunteer Program Coordinator or Lead
Volunteer Trainer. During training, volunteers will receive hands-
on practice working with shelter rabbits. Before training is
completed, volunteers must be able to demonstrate how to safely
remove and replace a rabbit in the cage, interact with a rabbit in the
exercise area and use the Rabbit Socializing Log. Staff reserves
the right to require additional training.
d. Kitten Nursery Attendant
Volunteers clean, feed and socialize underage kittens in the kitten
nursery at OC Animal Care. The kittens in the nursery need
special handling due to their size and decreased immune systems.
Volunteers must follow the Kitten Nursery Cleaning procedures
when spot cleaning and fully cleaning cages. Volunteers must sign
up for either a morning or afternoon Kitten Nursery shift using the
online volunteer center in Volgistics.
Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two hours of
training with the Volunteer Program Coordinator or Lead
Volunteer Trainer. During training, volunteers will receive hands-
on practice using the cleaning and feeding protocol in the kitten
nursery. Volunteers must be able to properly demonstrate the
cleaning protocol for both spot and full cleaning as well as
demonstrating the correct use of the Kitten Nursery Cleaning Log.
Staff reserves the right to require additional training.
e. Greeter
Volunteers will greet the public at the front gate of OC Animal
care and offer assistance in answering basic questions or directing
the public to lost and available animals. Greeter volunteers are

5. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 5
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
also responsible for walking through the shelter on an hourly basis
to interact with customers, promote upcoming events and answer
questions. As a greeter, a volunteer is a citizen’s first impression
of the shelter and their warm greeting and courtesy may influence
a person’s decision to adopt from OC Animal Care.
Greeter volunteers are responsible for setting up a table, a chair
and informational brochures when they begin their shift. In
addition, shelter greeters are responsible for filling and organizing
the informational flier racks located in the kennel office. Greeter
volunteers must clean up their area and store all equipment
securely in the OC Animal Care phone room prior to leaving for
the day.
Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two hours of
training with the Volunteer Program Coordinator or Lead
Volunteer Trainer. During training, volunteers will receive hands-
on practice setting up the greeting table, answering questions and
directing shelter visitors to lost pets, available pets and the
customer services office. Staff reserves the right to require
additional training.
f. Dog Bather/Groomer
Volunteers bathe and/or groom available shelter dogs in designated
areas. The goal of the program is to provide dirty and/or matted
dogs with much needed grooming to assist in their comfort and
increase their adoptability.
Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two hours of
training with the Volunteer Program Coordinator or Lead
Volunteer Trainer. During training, volunteers will receive hands-
on practice working with shelter dogs. Before training is
completed, volunteers must be able to demonstrate how to safely
remove and replace a dog in the cage, use grooming and bathing
equipment safely and exhibit proper restraint skills. Staff reserves
the right to require additional training.
g. Educational Outreach

6. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 6
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
Volunteers provide on/off-site presentations and shelter tours to
youth and adult groups. Volunteers cover a variety of topics
including responsible pet ownership, pet overpopulation, bite
prevention, animal safety and wildlife. Volunteers present this
information in an interactive and informative way.
Volunteers are required to complete a special training class with an
OC Animal Care Public Education Officer. In addition, volunteers
are required to shadow the Public Education Officer and/or
Educational Outreach Volunteers during several presentations prior
to hosting a presentation on their own. Staff reserves the right to
require additional training.
h. Photography
Volunteers take new photos of available shelter animals and
upload them into the Chameleon animal database. These new
photos appear on the OC Animal Care website as well as on the
animal’s kennel card in the shelter. New photos may be used to
promote and network animals online using social media resources
as well. Volunteers may use their own cameras or check an
available camera out from the Community Outreach Team.
Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two hours of
training with the Volunteer Program Coordinator or Lead
Volunteer Trainer in any position prior to signing up for
photography. Volunteers must receive training from the Volunteer
Program Coordinator covering photography basics for shelter
animals. Volunteers must sign up for a photography shift using the
online volunteer center in Volgistics.
i. Mobile Adoptions/Special Events
Volunteers participate in on-site shelter events, local fairs and
festivals, and/or travel to local shopping centers to adopt out
animals and educate citizens about the services provided by OC
Animal Care. Volunteers are responsible for transporting tables,
chairs, and materials to/from the event if an OC Animal Care staff
member is unable to attend. If a volunteer is transporting
equipment using their own vehicle, a current copy of their driver’s

7. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 7
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
license and automobile insurance policy must be placed in the
volunteer’s file prior to them transporting items for an event.
Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two hours of
training in any position prior to signing up for an event.
Volunteers must use the online volunteer center in Volgistics to
register for an upcoming event.
j. Pet Detective
Volunteers assist in connecting lost pets with their owners by
managing the “Lost Pet” binder in the kennel office. Volunteers in
this position are responsible for maintaining the “Lost Pets” binder
to ensure that the fliers placed in it are current. Volunteers will
attempt to match photos and descriptions from the fliers in the
binder with pets that are currently housed at the shelter.
Volunteers will also look at lost pet ads placed on internet pages
such as Craigslist to make potential matches. If a volunteer
believes that they have a match, they will notify a member of the
Community Outreach Team (COT) immediately. The COT staff
member will attempt to make a positive match by looking at the
intake jurisdiction and any additional notes regarding the animal.
If the COT staff member believes that there is a potential match,
they will contact the pet owner and encourage them to come to the
shelter to identify the animal.
Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two hours of
training for this position. Volunteers must use the online volunteer
center in Volgistics to register for a shift.
k. Clerical Services
Volunteers assist throughout OC Animal Care’s departments by
providing filing, photocopying, envelope stuffing and other clerical
services. Assignments may vary in scope depending on the
department served.
Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two hours of
training for this position. Volunteers must use the online volunteer
center in Volgistics to register for a shift.

8. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 8
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
l. Lead Volunteer
Lead volunteers are identified by the Volunteer Program
Coordinator based on an ongoing commitment to the OC Animal
Care volunteer program. Lead volunteers are generally volunteers
that have been involved in the program for more than one year,
contribute a significant amount of hours, have an excellent
understanding of OC Animal Care’s policies and procedures and
are committed to the ongoing success of OC Animal Care’s
programs.
Lead volunteers perform a wide variety of tasks, including
assisting and/or leading OC Animal Care’s quarterly volunteer
orientations, training new volunteers and providing guidance and
feedback to current volunteers regarding their performance.
m. Regional Occupational Program (ROP) Student/ Intern
ROP Students/Interns are accepted into the OC Animal Care
volunteer program on an as-needed basis. ROP Students/ Interns
may provide a variety of tasks at OC Animal Care depending on
the area of focus designated by their school. These volunteers
must complete an OC Animal Care volunteer application as well as
provide appropriate documentation from their school. The
Volunteer Program Coordinator may be required to sign or
complete additional paperwork or timesheets required by the off-
site instructor.
n. Special Assignment
A Special Assignment volunteer provides a specialty service to OC
Animal Care. These volunteers may provide on-site grooming
training or dog training to shelter volunteers on a regular basis.
Special Assignment volunteers are identified by the Volunteer
Program Coordinator and are required to complete the OC Animal
Care volunteer application
o. Foster Caretaker

9. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 9
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
Volunteers provide care to young, injured, abused or under-
socialized animals. Many of them would otherwise be euthanized.
Volunteers care for and return these animals when they are deemed
suitable for adoption. The volunteer is responsible for all expenses
incurred while fostering. Foster Caretakers must complete the
Foster Caretaker Application and Foster Caretaker Agreement
prior to fostering any animals for OC Animal Care.
B. Selection of Volunteers
After attending the volunteer orientation, potential volunteers must submit a cover
letter detailing their interest in the program, preferred position and experience
with animals. The Volunteer Program Coordinator will make a decision on
acceptance into the volunteer program based on the cover letter. The Volunteer
Program Coordinator may also elect to interview a potential volunteer if
additional information is required. Potential volunteers will be notified within
one month of the volunteer orientation whether they have or have not been
accepted into the program.
C. Interview
Interviews are conducted, if necessary, to determine the potential volunteers
qualifications. The Volunteer Program Coordinator will schedule a mutually
convenient date and time to hold an interview with the potential volunteer. After
the interview, the Volunteer Program Coordinator will make a decision on
whether the potential volunteer will be offered a volunteer position with OC
Animal Care. The Volunteer Program Coordinator will contact the potential
volunteer to notify them of their decision. Accepted volunteers will be notified by
email with instructions on how to fill out the application and set up their first
training. Volunteers not selected to join the program, will be notified by mail.
D. Registration Process
1. Volunteers
a. Volunteer’s First Day
Once a volunteer has been accepted into the program, it is their
responsibility to contact the Volunteer Program Coordinator to

10. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 10
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
arrange a date and time for training and to complete the paperwork
for their file.
b. Forms to be Completed
The following items shall be completed and/or collected and
placed in the volunteer’s file.
(1) Volunteer Interest Application
(2) Volunteer’s Cover Letter
(3) Volunteer Application
(4) Interview Questions, if applicable
(5) OC Animal Care Volunteer Policy
(6) Copy of Identification/Driver’s License
(7) Copy of Automobile Insurance Card, if applicable
(8) Foster Caretaker Agreement, if applicable
(9) Foster Caretaker Application, if applicable
2. Interns/ROP Program
The intern and ROP student registration process is the same as for an OC
Animal Care volunteer except that an orientation, cover letter and
interview are not required.
3. Foster Caretakers
A foster caretaker’s registration is the same as a volunteer except that they
must complete a foster application and receive approval from the
Volunteer Program Coordinator. Foster caretakers must also complete and
comply with the Foster Care Agreement.
E. Training
1. Volunteers
Volunteers will be provided with a tour prior to training. The tour shall
include showing the volunteer where the volunteer shed is, the areas of the
shelter they are unauthorized to enter and where additional supplies are
located.

11. Number: 800.04
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER SELECTION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS Page: 11
Date: 5/25/06
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 3/5/13
Training will vary depending on the position the volunteer is assigned.
Please see the volunteer orientation packet and the volunteer manual for
additional information.
2. Interns/ROP Program
Interns and ROP students will receive a tour of the shelter; they are not
restricted from entering all areas of the shelter. They are here to learn how
a shelter runs and are shown all aspects of shelter life. Training will vary
depending on the position the Intern/ROP Student is assigned to.
F. Potential Volunteers Not Selected
Some potential volunteers may not be selected and shall be notified by mail. The
notification shall not give a reason and may include a list of other potential
volunteer opportunities available to them.