Animal Welfare Professionals

I'm sure this has been asked before, and hopefully will have more time to search through forums tomorrow. 

But one thing our shelter lacks is a volunteer program; our biggest hurdle is working within the Sheriff's Department. We have an inmate worker, and official volunteers have had to go through PREA training, background checks, etc. We are constantly asked if folks can volunteer via enrichment time for the animals, which also leaves our higher ups worried about liability. 

Has anyone in similar circumstances found a way to start up, maintain, and manage local volunteers?

I would love to be able to give our dogs and cats the most that we can offer. We do have a nonprofit that supports our shelter and allows us to take donations, so we wonder if it isn't a way in with possible liability waivers. 

Thank you all in advance for your time on this. 

#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

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Jenna Lambgino
Animal Control Officer
Colusa County Animal Control
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We rely on volunteers from the community as I am the only full-time staff as the manager and have two very part-time helpers for morning dog chores only.  We have them read and sign a waiver and privacy policy. Typically, we have high school students to earn their community service hours but also try to attract families and businesses. There are a couple of parents that bring their children along to help with cat chores or walk dogs. To do cat chores alone requires a child be 14-years old, to do dog chores alone requires they are 16-years old. 
There is an alternative high school and special needs group that will rotate students with us. A community based assisted adult program that brings out an individual with a helper to do chores. We have even had people contact us for their court ordered community service hours. 
Basically, we need volunteers for everything from mowing the lawn to laundry and it is a struggle some weeks. Our volunteers that stick to a schedule are golden!

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Kate Williams
Manager
Animal Welfare Friends
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Great question, Jenna! 

Here are a few resources to check out and share with your higher ups that may help: 

• Maddie's University course  Animal Shelter and Rescue Law and Liability
• American Pets Alive blog:  Could We Get Sued For That?
• Maddie's Pet Forum discussion:  Liability Waiver to Visit Animals?
• Maddie's Pet Forum Resource Library:  Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe Volunteer Application  (pages 2-4 of the application include a Release and Waiver of Liability and an Indemnity Release by Parent/Guardian of  Child under 18)
• Maddie's Pet Forum Resource Library:   Memphis Animal Services Volunteer Application & Waiver

Hope this helps!

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Kim Domerofski (she/her)
Community Manager
Maddie's Fund
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