Dear Potential Volunteer:

Thank you for your interest in providing volunteer services to Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (“Nevada SPCA”), a non-profit organization. Nevada SPCA operates a no-kill animal shelter, promotes humane education, and challenges people to be the best possible guardians for the companion animals in their care. Nevada SPCA works to achieve our adoption goals by treating each animal as an individual, with a name instead of a number. We strive to match each rescued animal with people by personality and lifestyle in order to have the best chance to find a forever home. Our volunteers are an essential part of this effort.

The success of our volunteer program is not only measured by the dedication of time given by our remarkable volunteers, but by the many selfless acts they contribute to make life better for the animals in our care. On any given day, Nevada SPCA’s headquarters is home to many rescued animals. Besides many cats and dogs, Nevada SPCA rescues and adopts numerous other species of domesticated animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, ferrets, and many more. Our shelter, located at 4800 W. Dewey Drive, operates with many animals on a daily basis, so every volunteer helps us reach our goal of bringing another animal in need into the safety of Nevada SPCA.

In order to become a volunteer, you must first fill out a volunteer application. If your application is approved, you will be asked to attend a volunteer orientation, where you will learn more about our organization’s mission, as well as our expectations of those who choose to volunteer. Please note that Nevada SPCA reserves the right to terminate a volunteer relationship at any time. We truly believe you will find volunteering with Nevada SPCA a rewarding experience and we look forward to meeting you!

⎯ Team Nevada SPCA

NEVADA SPCA VOLUNTEER RULES AND REGULATIONS

GENERAL

• All Volunteers must fill out an application, attend an orientation session(s), and agree to Nevada SPCA’s Volunteer Rules and Regulations.
• Volunteers must attend in-service training when required.
• Volunteers between 13 and 18 years of age must be accompanied by a custodial parent or guardian. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to work as a Dog Volunteer. Dog walking requires a volunteer to be 21 years or older.
• Volunteers must wear appropriate attire: pants, sturdy shoes, or boots (no open toes), t-shirts or long sleeve shirts, and volunteer ID provided by Nevada SPCA. Keep in mind that when working with animals there is a good chance that you may get dirty or wet.

The following guidelines illustrate how volunteers should dress and present themselves.

• Sleeved t-shirts or hospital scrubs are to be worn. Designs should be appropriate and not distracting.
• Please avoid extremes in dress and behavior. Flashy or revealing outfits are unacceptable.
• Shoes must be appropriate. Tennis shoes are preferred, and open-toe shoes are prohibited. Jewelry should be subtle and free from profanity or inappropriate references.
• Please report any unusual activity to a staff member. This may include, but not limited to, the way the public is handling an animal, the behavior of an animal, the physical condition of an animal, or unusual looking feces or vomit in kennel.
• Report any hazard to a staff member (e.g., wet floor, item spilled, item on floor).
• Follow the directions and requests of staff members and volunteer supervisors.
• You must be courteous and respectful when dealing with the shelter staff, the public or other volunteers.
• Volunteers must follow and comply with Nevada SPCA Social Media Policy.

TIME AND ATTENDANCE

• You must notify the volunteer program manager/staff member if unable to work a special event as scheduled.
• All volunteers will be given an identification badge. The badge must be visibly displayed at all times while volunteering.
• Volunteers must sign-in upon arrival and sign-out upon departure.
• If an issue (injury etc.) is reported during volunteer time, a Volunteer Incident Report must be completed by the volunteer or a staff member if the volunteer refuses.

WORKING WITH SHELTER ANIMALS

• Volunteers who wish to work directly with animals in the shelter must go through the appropriate animal handling class. This includes how to identify animals that can be handled, leash technique, etc.
• Do not approach an animal that appears afraid. Wait to see if their demeanor changes and ask for help from a staff member.
• Remember a sick animal can easily spread disease throughout the shelter. Handle all animals one at a time and sanitize your hands in between handling the animals. Report any potential illnesses immediately to a staff member.
• Please do not feed the animals without permission from a staff member as they may be on a special diet or need medication.
• Do not walk dogs in public areas of the shelter, including the front parking lot.
• Utilize the side entrance of the shelter when taking animals out of the shelter.
• Be aware that you can say “NO” to a task when you feel the request is inappropriate, beyond your skill level and depth of knowledge, or if you perceive a situation to be unsafe, physically, or emotionally.
• If you have any concerns regarding the safety or well-being of an animal, please share this information with a staff member.

INJURIES

• If an injury occurs in the course of volunteering, you must report it to a staff member immediately and fill out a Volunteer Incident Report.
• Volunteers must exercise care and act responsibility at all times, especially around animals. Volunteers are advised that the activity of working with the animals may be hazardous. The following are some, but not all, of the risks associated with working with animals:
  • Bites or scratches from dogs, cats, or other animals housed at Nevada SPCA (which include those that have unknown medical history)
  • Being knocked down or pulled excessively by a dog
  • Injuries relating to wrist / hand / fingers from a dog leash
  • Slips / trips / falls resulting from the wet floors / kennels or equipment - Hitting head on objects such as cage doors / kennel walls / hose boxes, etc.
  • Water or cleansers spraying in eyes
  • Injuries resulting from cage doors, equipment, etc.
  • Flea / tick bites and ringworm infestation - Internal or external parasite exposure
  • Zoonotic illness (human illness contracted from animals) exposure
  • Animal illness exposure to animals at volunteer’s home
  • Injuries related to lifting or handling animals, food, litter, or equipment
  • Exposure to cleaners, latex gloves, bleach, and parasite control products
  • Loss of personal property
  • Any type of damage to car while parked on Nevada SPCA grounds
  • Damage to clothing from animals, cages, chemicals, etc.

PHOTO, VIDEO AND AUDIO RELEASE

Occasionally, Nevada SPCA program activities may be photographed, videotaped, or audio taped for educational, publicity or fundraising purposes and used in various forms of media and distribution. Please indicate if you give permission to appear in photos, videos, or audio recordings without compensation (e.g., as part of the brochures, slide shows, social media, or program websites). By giving permission and signing this form, you irrevocably waive any right to own, inspect or approve the photos, videos, or audio recordings or electronic matter or media of any form that may be used in conjunction with them now or in the future whether that use is known to me or unknown, and you waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the photos, videos, or audio recordings.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Know and follow the rules

Carefully read these rules, and all applicable policies and procedures of Nevada SPCA, and ensure your postings are consistent with these policies. Inappropriate postings that may include discriminatory remarks, harassment, and threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct will not be tolerated and may subject you to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

• Be respectful
• Be honest and accurate
• Post only appropriate and respectful content
• Do not create a link from your social networking site, blog, or website
• Express only your personal opinions
• Retaliation is prohibited
• Volunteers should not speak to the media on Nevada SPCA’s behalf

If you have questions or need any further guidance regarding the Social Media policies, please contact Nevada’s SPCA’s volunteer coordinator.

Nevada SPCA reserves the right to rescind any of these Nevada SPCA Rules and Regulations and to make such other and further rules and regulations as in its sole judgement, which rules and regulations shall be binding upon all Volunteers upon delivery to such Volunteer.

If volunteer is under 18 years of age, custodial parent or guardian must read and sign the following:

The custodial parent or legal guardian understands the Nevada SPCA Volunteer Rules and Regulations. Nevada SPCA Volunteer Rules and Regulations have been explained to and are understood by the Custodial Parent or Guardian and the minor.

VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY (“AGREEMENT”)

Between
Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (“Nevada SPCA”)
and

This Agreement sets forth the responsibilities and understandings of the above-named individual and of Nevada SPCA regarding participation in volunteer programs partially or wholly coordinated by Nevada SPCA.

1. I agree to donate time to Nevada SPCA as a volunteer. I will be contributing my time and effort to various shelter and outreach programs of Nevada SPCA. These volunteer services will be performed by me as assigned by an officer, director, employee, or another volunteer of Nevada SPCA. In the course of performing the volunteer services, I agree:
   • To complete all required orientation, training, and paperwork relating to my volunteer position(s);
   • To read and to obey all volunteer rules and regulations (which are incorporated herein by their reference). In the interest of the safety of the animals, the staff, and other volunteers, I acknowledge that Nevada SPCA has the right to revoke volunteer privileges if these rules and regulations are not followed; and
   • To treat all Nevada SPCA staff, volunteers, the animals, property, tools, and equipment with respect.

2. As a volunteer, I understand that I control the dates and times when I engage in volunteer service and that Nevada SPCA is not responsible for scheduling my volunteer service. I am offering my services for civic, charitable, and humanitarian reasons, and understand that I will not be compensated for any time spent volunteering. I further understand that I am not entitled to any benefits, including unemployment insurance benefits, upon the termination of the Agreement or as a result of this volunteer service. Either I or Nevada SPCA can terminate this relationship at will and at any time. Nothing contained in this Agreement or any other ancillary documents related to hereto shall be deemed or construed by the parties or by any third party to create a relationship of principal and agent, partnership or employer-employee.

   I understand that Nevada SPCA is not responsible for any injury or damage to the animals, property, or equipment that may occur as a result of my volunteer service. I understand that I am not entitled to any benefits, including unemployment insurance benefits, upon the termination of the Agreement or as a result of this volunteer service. Either I or Nevada SPCA can terminate this relationship at will and at any time. Nothing contained in this Agreement or any other ancillary documents related to hereto shall be deemed or construed by the parties or by any third party to create a relationship of principal and agent, partnership or employer-employee.

3. I am aware that participation as a volunteer may require periods of standing, lifting, and carrying items in excess of 50 pounds and will require the exercise of reasonable care to avoid injury. I agree to disclose any physical or psychological limitations to appropriate staff before participating in any activity. Since I may be interacting with animals, healthy and sick, big, and small, and may be lifting, carrying, moving, or otherwise engaging in physical labor, I will be respectful of my own limitations and will inform staff immediately of any such limitations.
4. I am voluntarily participating in this activity with knowledge of the hazards and potential dangers involved and agree to accept any and all risks of personal injury and property damage.
5. I understand and agree that it is possible that I may be injured or otherwise harmed during volunteer service due to accidents, acts of nature, my negligent or intentional acts, or the negligent or intentional acts of others; that while Nevada SPCA has taken some steps to reduce the chance of injury or harm to me, that Nevada SPCA has no control over most risks, and, thus, cannot and does not guarantee nor take any responsibility for my safety or of my property while I am engaged in volunteer service; and that I must take full responsibility for myself and assume the risk of harm or damage while serving by taking all necessary and reasonable precautions and acting in a manner that will help protect me and my property.
6. I also understand that I may be interacting with animals which are and/or can be unpredictable and may have dangerous propensities, including biting or attacking. Notwithstanding this risk, I take full responsibility for myself and assume the risk of harm or damage while interacting with the animals.

6. As consideration for being permitted by Nevada SPCA to provide volunteer services, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, I hereby agree that I, and my assignees, heirs, guardians, and legal representatives, will not make a claim against or sue or attach to or execute upon the property of Nevada SPCA, its owners, shareholders, directors, members, managers, officers, affiliates, volunteers, participants, employees, operators, sponsors, landlord (and owner of the shelter premises), lenders, vendors, contractors, hosts of events, agents, legal representatives and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf (collectively, the “Released Parties”) arising from and/or relating to any negligent act or omission of the Released Parties while I am performing the volunteer services or arising the
7. property, facilities, and services at the shelter premises. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Released Parties, from any loss, liability, damage or cost they incur (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs), or any claim or lawsuit filed against them, on account of, arising out of, or in connection with my volunteer services to Nevada SPCA.
8. I understand that if I am injured in the course of my volunteer service, I am not covered by Nevada SPCA’s workers’ compensation or other insurance program. I authorize Nevada SPCA to seek emergency medical and/or dental treatment on my behalf in case of injury, accident or illness to me arising from my volunteer service. I understand that I will be responsible for any costs incurred by such accident, illness or injury.
9. I agree and understand that injuries or losses to others, such as co-workers or the person(s) being helped, may occur as a result of my negligent or intentional acts during volunteer service, and that to avoid such harm, I must exercise care and act responsibly in serving others.
10. If any injury or loss to another does occur due to my intentional actions or due to my negligent actions arising outside of the scope of my volunteer activities, I will accept the liability for and repair, or make reparations for the harm done.
11. I understand that the materials and tools provided by Nevada SPCA are and remain the property of Nevada SPCA, and I agree to return these tools and any remaining materials to Nevada SPCA at the end of my volunteer service.

1. During my volunteer service with Nevada SPCA and thereafter, I will keep confidential, refrain from disclosing to others, and use only in the performance of my volunteer duties, all confidential information of Nevada SPCA that I develop or learn about during the course of my volunteer service. Examples of confidential information include, but are not limited to, information on finances, membership and donors, volunteer performance, research and development, the condition of sanctuary animals and the facilities, campaigns, outreach programs, foster placement information, previous owner information, and information received from others that Nevada SPCA has agreed to keep confidential.
2. I acknowledge that I have reviewed this Agreement and have had the opportunity to have it reviewed by my attorney and that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not apply in the interpretation of the Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid by any applicable law or by any court or arbitrator, such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible to effect the intent of the parties, and such invalidity will not affect the enforceability of any other provisions.
3. Except with the prior written consent of Nevada SPCA, which may be withheld in its sole judgement, I acknowledge that I shall not, nor permit others in my control to, post; disseminate, use, distribute, advertise, publish or otherwise disclose any symbol, design, logo name, mark or insignia adopted, owned or licensed by Nevada SPCA.
4. This Agreement and/or any disputes arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without regard to Nevada’s (or any other state’s) laws regarding conflicts or choice of laws. Any and all actions arising out of the Agreement shall be litigated in any court located in Clark County, Nevada. The parties hereto consent to personal jurisdiction in any such Court and hereby waive any objection thereto and agree not to deny or defeat such court’s jurisdiction or venue (including, without limitation, by a motion forum non conveniens).

I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT FULLY, UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND HAVE SIGNED IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT INDUCEMENT, ASSURANCE OR GUARANTEE BEING MADE TO ME

and I intend my signature to be a complete, continuing and uncontrolled release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law.

If Volunteer is under 18 years of age, the custodial parent or guardian must read and sign the following: I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT FULLY, UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT

I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF THE MINOR BY SIGNING IT AND HAVE SIGNED IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT INDUCEMENT, ASSURANCE OR GUARANTEE BEING MADE TO ME and I intend my signature to be a complete, continuing and uncontrolled release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law.

MINOR (IF APPLICABLE)