Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center Volunteer Training Manual 2

Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center | Volunteer Training Manual 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section I: Our Shelter Introduction Contact In...
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Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center | Volunteer Training Manual

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Section I: Our Shelter Introduction Contact Information Mission Statement Background How Animals Come to Our Shelter What Happens to the Animals That Are Here Wildlife

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Section II: Basic Rules & Policies Signing In & Signing Out Dress Code Parking Prisoners Prohibited Areas Smoking Communication Supporting our Policies Social Media Policy Commitment Spay/Neuter Euthanasia Sensitive Information Safety at Our Facility Safety When You Leave Bites or Scratches

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Section IV: Volunteer Positions Dog Walkers Cat Comforters Greeter Kennel Assistant Rescue Leader Transport Team Community Representative Community Leader Education Ambassador Special Events Coordinator Veterinary Helper

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Section V: Interacting With Our Animals Walking Shelter Dogs Comforting Shelter Cats

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Dear Volunteer: Thank you so much for choosing to participate in our shelter volunteer program. We could not do what we do without dedicated and caring people like you. We have many different roles that volunteers can play at our shelter, while some of them are not hands on with the animals; every position supports them and helps us to continue our work here. If you ever have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you again for choosing to work with our shelter animals. I look forward to seeing you around the shelter! Sincerely, Robert Gatt, Manager

Contact & Location Information We are located near Great Lakes Crossing, about one mile north of the Palace of Auburn Hills. 1700 Brown Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 (248) 391-4100

Volunteer Team Contact (248) 391-6286 [email protected]

www.oakgov.com/petadoption

Hours of Operation We are open to the public during the following times, these are also the only times volunteers will be allowed at the facility (unless you have permission from the shelter manager): Monday

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thursday

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday

Closed

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Mission Statement The mission of the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center is to protect public safety through the enforcement of applicable state laws, to educate the public about responsible pet ownership, and to provide a humane haven for animals in our care and, where possible, to endeavor to reunite pets with their owners and to promote responsible pet placement. The primary beneficiaries of these services will be the citizens and animals of Oakland County. We achieve our mission by: • • • •

Ensuring animals are properly licensed, vaccinated for rabies and have adequate food, water and shelter. Investigating instances of animal abuse, dogs and livestock at large and animal bites and by taking appropriate enforcement actions as authorized by law. Educating the public through the hosting of events and creation of written material that supports responsible pet ownership and animal and public safety. Providing basic or necessary veterinarian services for animals in our care.

Background Created with the 1919 Michigan State Dog Law, the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center was charged with protecting the public from rabies as well as protecting animals from abuse. Our facility was acquired in 1981 from the Michigan Humane Society, with many updates and renovations the shelter became what it is today. We now serve as a temporary home to over 5,000 animals a year. Our shelter is the only open-admission facility in Oakland County, which means we do not turn away any domesticated animal within our service areas. Open-admission also means we take in animals regardless of their health or temperament. We primarily handle cats and dogs, but we also take in a wide range of other species, from rabbits and hamsters to exotic pets such as alligators and farm animals. However, we do not accept wildlife.

How Animals Come to Our Shelter Via Animal Control Officer Animals that come into the shelter via an animal control officer are evaluated after the stray hold time (4 days without identification and 7 days with identification). They are then put up for adoption, classified as a rescue animal or euthanized (only if necessary). Here are some reasons why an animal may be brought in by an animal control officer: the animal was found running loose, an owner or finder wanted to give up the animal but requested an officer do the transport, the animal was involved in an attack or was part of a criminal investigation.

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Stray, Over the Counter Animals that come into the shelter as a stray are evaluated after the stray hold time (4 days without identification and 7 days with identification). They are then put up for adoption, classified as a rescue animal or euthanized (only if necessary). Here are some reasons why an animal may be brought in as a stray over the counter: a Good Samaritan found the animal running loose in their neighborhood, on a busy road or in a park. In some cases, we have people who bring animals and claim they are stray, when in fact they are the legal owners. They might feel guilty about having to give up the animal or don’t want to tell the truth for another reason. It is unfortunate when this happens because we then don’t get some of the valuable information (personality or characteristics) that can help them get adopted faster and the animal has to be held for stray time first.

Owner Give Up, Over the Counter Animals that come to our shelter as owner give up are evaluated and put up for adoption, classified as a rescue animal or euthanized (only if necessary).

Here are some reasons why an animal may be brought to our shelter as an owner give up: • • •

Relatives of a deceased owner may bring the pet in if it can no longer be kept A family who is facing eviction or foreclosure People who can no longer afford to keep them

Please remember that it is not our job to judge! We need to keep in mind that the individual recognizes that they can no longer provide proper care for the animal, and that they are doing the right thing by bringing them to us instead of abandoning them.

Owner-Requested Euthanasia Sometimes owners will bring their animals to our facility to be euthanized. Here are some acceptable reasons for owner-requested euthanasia: • • • • •

old age terminal illness aggression severely injured certain behavioral issues

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What Happens to the Animals That Are Here? Return to Owner (RTO) Every animal that comes to our shelter is scanned for a microchip and checked for a license or other form of identification. We make every effort to find the animal’s original owners so they have the opportunity to reclaim their pet. Unfortunately, our RTO for cats is only 3% and our RTO for dogs is about 40%. When citizens come to our center looking for their lost pet, ask them what type of pet they are looking for and direct them to any animals that fit the description. They should also be shown all the areas in the shelter where a stray pet is housed. If the citizens have flyers, they are allowed to post them on our bulletin boards in the kennels. Also make sure they look in the books and be sure to have them check our web site for stray postings. Another great feature we offer is Facebook posts, ask them to e-mail a picture and description of their pet to [email protected] and we can post the information on our page. Adoption Adopters do not need to be from our service area to adopt a pet from our shelter. When a citizen comes in please take the time to ask what type of animal they are looking for and help them to find a dog or cat that fits their lifestyle and family situation. Situations such as having children, other animals and/or living in a small apartment all affect which type of animal they should adopt. For example a large breed dog should not be adopted to someone who lives in a tiny apartment and a dog that is nippy should not be adopted out to families with small children. The Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center has the right to deny adoptions to anyone for any reason if it is determined that the person will not make a good fit for our animals. As a volunteer if you observe a situation or feel someone should not be allowed to adopt please let the Kennel Leader know. It is up to them to make any decision regarding adoptions. Rescue Certain animals cannot be adopted out to the general public. This is where rescues come in. Animals that have medical or behavioral issues that we cannot address and restrictive breed dogs are offered to rescues. The Oakland Pet Adoption Center reserves the right to place restrictions on animal adoptions that may include any or all breeds or animals with behavioral issues. Animals with adoption restrictions will be adopted out at the discretion of Shelter management, which may include making the animal available to a 501C(3) registered rescue. Euthanasia Euthanasia is the only outcome available for some of the animals we receive at the shelter; either because they came to us as owner-requested euthanasia, or because they were involved in injuring or killing other animals or people, or because they are aggressive and not safe. We also euthanize animals with non-treatable illnesses, animals that we can’t handle safely in the shelter, and animals we feel aren’t appropriate to put out into the community. Euthanasia is the least desirable outcome, obviously; we always want to look for other options first. Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center | Volunteer Training Manual

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Wildlife We do not handle wildlife (see exception below), we are charged with caring for and protecting domesticated animals, such as dogs, cats, horses, cows, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, etc. There is also no public agency in Oakland County that handles or traps wild animals. It is up to the property owner to contact a private trapper. Wildlife Exception – If the animal was involved in a bite, please transfer the call to dispatch to handle the call further. There are many cases in which we would get involved in this case.

Basic Rules & Policies Signing In & Signing Out Volunteers are required to sign in at the start of each shift. Once you sign in you will be given a volunteer badge. These badges must be returned at the end of your shift and you must sign out before you leave. Dress Code Policy Being a volunteer at our center can be a messy job at times. Keeping this in mind, we ask you to dress appropriately, while still maintaining a neat and clear appearance. Remember that as a volunteer you are representing our shelter. Any volunteer who shows up for a shift will be sent home to change if they are dressed inappropriately. Multiple offenses may lead to dismissal. Shoes: We recommend that all volunteers wear tennis shoes, however you may wear any shoe you feel comfortable wearing for your volunteer position. Remember that you may encounter wet, slippery floors and mud during your time here so skid resistant shoes are helpful. Open toed shoes, such as flip-flops are PROHIBITED. Pants: Volunteers are asked to dress in an appropriate manner, volunteers may wear jeans, however the following types of clothes are prohibited; exercise clothes such as sweat pants, yoga pants or similar attire, or any pant made out of a lycra or similar fabric is not allowed. Low rise or low-waisted pants are not allowed, along with pants that show off your undergarments. Skirts or shorts are not recommended, however if you choose to wear them they MUST come to a point NO MORE than two inches above the middle of the knee. Shirts: We hope to eventually provide our volunteers with our logo, until that time volunteers may wear any shirt that fits in an appropriate manner. Shirts that are low cut or show off your midriff are PROHBITED.

Parking Do not park near our entrance, these spaces are reserved for the public. The only exception is for those with disabilities or handicaps. Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center | Volunteer Training Manual

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Prisoners We have inmates from the Oakland County jail that work here seven days a week. They clean and maintain the facility as well as feed the animals and clean their cages. The inmates are referred to as “Trustee’s,” the Trustees are here on minor, non-violent offenses. Inmates are prohibited from having contact with the public. There should also be no interaction between volunteers and the Trustee’s. Any volunteer needing the help of a Trustee should seek the Kennel Leader for assistance. Volunteers are prohibited from bringing the Trustee’s contraband (i.e. cigarettes, lighters and food). If you see any violation listed above or have concerns please notify the Kennel Leader immediately. Any volunteer who violates this policy may be removed from our volunteer team, with or without warning. Prohibited Areas There are certain areas that are prohibited to volunteers. Volunteers are not allowed in the veterinary office or the quarantine hall without permission and must be accompanied by a staff member. Volunteers are not allowed in the incinerator room for any reason, if you are asked to go in this room, please inform the Office Leader. Please be aware of signs on doors, you are responsible for reading and obeying these signs. If you are caught in a restricted area you may be removed from our volunteer team, with or without warning. Smoking Smoking is prohibited inside our facility and in front of our entrances. Please dispose of cigarettes in the ash buckets located at the entrance and by the bridge. Communication Communication is very important here. Things are constantly changing. We communicate to our volunteer team via e-mail. Volunteers must be willing and able to stay in touch and provide an email address so that we can pass along new information, policy changes or upcoming events. If you are unable to provide an e-mail address, you must request printed copies of the e-mail from the volunteer coordinator. It is your responsibility to ask the volunteer coordinator if new e-mails have been sent out. Supporting our Policies, Procedures and Protocols When you agree to become a volunteer at our facility, you are committing to follow our policies, procedures, and protocols. The Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center has been in existence for many years and has cared for thousands of animals. While we are always learning and adapting, we do things the best way we know how and we do this with an understanding of our limitations.

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It is imperative that volunteers understand and support the policies we employ in the shelter. Our goal is not to convince everyone that we are right. Our goal is to inform you of our policies and allow each volunteer to determine whether or not they feel this organization is one they wish to be a part of. Volunteers who do not follow this policy may be removed from our volunteer team, with or without warning. Social Media Policy The Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center works very hard to help animals and we take pride in building a good reputation with the public we serve. Social media sites are a great way for us to get our message out and to network the animals available for adoption. Therefore, we prohibit volunteers from representing themselves and answering questions on social media sites on behalf of the OCAC/PAC. We understand that people may be critical and/or not agree with our policies and that they may express this on the Internet; we respect that people have a right to their own opinion and we ask that as our volunteers, you respect this to. We ask that you not respond to these social media posts and leave responses to our staff. Attacking or talking down to people goes against what we stand for and does not help the animals or our reputation. Remember when posting on the internet that you should not disclose any information that is confidential. Sometimes as a volunteer you may come across situations of sensitivity, i.e. cruelty cases, please refrain from posting this information. Please think before you post any pictures, thoughts or comments that involve the Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center, if it is likely to cause a negative reaction or upset someone, do not post it. Volunteers who do not follow this policy may be removed from our volunteer team, with or without warning. Social media sites include but are not limited to Facebook Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn and YouTube. Commitment Training a volunteer takes both time and money, therefore we require volunteers to make a 3 month commitment. This commitment is also to the animals at our shelter, they love seeing your face over and over again, promising to spend at least 3 months here helps them to develop trust and build bonds so they can find their forever home. Additionally, the positions of Greeter, Kennel Assistant and Veterinary Helper are scheduled positions. This means that on top of the 3 month commitment, you will have a set schedule. Once assigned a shift, you will be responsible for filling that shift or assisting us in finding a replacement. Volunteers who miss a shift without notice may be removed from our volunteer team, with or without warning.

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The following positions require an interview and management approval: • • • • • •

Kennel Assistant Rescue Leader Transport Team Veterinary Helper Special Events Coordinator Community Leader

Spay/Neuter Every animal is spayed or neutered before they are adopted or go to a rescue. We believe strongly in this. Euthanasia Volunteers will never be part of the decision making process on which animals will be euthanized, and volunteers will never be asked their opinion about whether an animal should be euthanized or not. If you are upset that an animal was euthanized, you can speak with our staff volunteer coordinators, they can be reached directly at (248) 391-6286 or you can ask to visit their office. You are not permitted to challenge or speak poorly to the front desk or veterinary staff. Their job is hard enough without anyone being critical of what they have to do. Volunteers who challenge or speak poorly to the front desk or veterinary staff may be removed from our volunteer team, with or without warning. Sensitive Information The Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center handles cases of abuse, neglect and is sometimes involved in ongoing criminal investigations. We also deal with members of the public. There are times when you may overhear or witness situations or conversations of a sensitive nature. As a volunteer you may not discuss these items with anyone. We ask you to respect those involved and members of our staff. If you have a question please speak with the Kennel Leader or the Staff Volunteer Coordinator. The volunteer coordinator can be reached at (248) 391-6286 or ask to be taken to the office. Volunteers who violate this policy may be removed from our volunteer team, with or without warning. Safety at the Facility Volunteers need to be safe and take precautions. Make sure you follow all directions given to you and pay attention to the animals when you are interacting with them. If an animal is exhibiting signs of aggression please ask for help or calmly place the animal back in its cage. Trustees are constantly cleaning the kennel, which means that floors may be wet and slippery, please be aware and take care when walking on these surfaces.

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Also keep in mind that the animals in the shelter are under a great deal of stress. They may react in ways that they would not normally. Just because you kiss or hug your animals at home does not mean it will be tolerated by the animals here. Please refrain from acting in a way that may frighten the animal, especially if you have not worked with the animal before. WASH YOUR HANDS. To prevent the spread of disease you must wash your hands before and after touching EACH animal. This is very important, not only for your safety but for the safety of our animals. If at any time you feel you are working in an unsafe environment or you are asked to do a task that makes you feel uncomfortable please contact the staff volunteer coordinator. The volunteer coordinator can be reached at (248) 391-6286 or ask to be taken to the office. Volunteers who work in an unsafe manner and disregard instructions may be removed from our volunteer team, with or without warning. Safety When You Leave the Facility While dealing with the animals in the shelter you may come across an animal that is sick or carrying a disease. To prevent the spread of disease to the animals in your home, we recommend that you bring a clean change of clothes or change as soon as you get home, before handling your animals. The same goes for your shoes. If you walk around the shelter and then walk around your house in the same shoes, you could be spreading something to your pets at home as well. We suggest having a pair of shoes you only wear at the shelter, or removing your shoes before walking around your home. And of course, wash your hands once you leave our facility. Bites or Scratches For your safety, the safety of other volunteers and staff members, the public, and other animals, you must report any bite or scratch immediately to the Kennel Leader. Volunteers who do not report bites or scratches may be removed from our volunteer team, with or without warning.

Volunteer Positions Dog Walker Dog walkers are responsible for making sure all of our adoptable dogs have a chance to get outside during the day. Duties include walking, brushing, exercising and obedience training. You are also responsible for updating information on their kennel cards. When you spend time with any dog, make sure you take not for any personality likes and dislikes, this information helps us to get the animal adopted faster and into the right home. Once you are an established volunteer and would like a greater challenge, you can go through the process of approval to work with our rescue only dogs. Volunteers interested must attend the orientation and fill out the application. Dog walkers must be over the age of 18; however parents and guardians may bring “assistants,” as long as they are over the age of 8 years old. Assistants will have restrictions on what they can do, for example they are Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center | Volunteer Training Manual

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not allowed to walk the dogs. The parent or guardian will need to be present AT ALL TIMES and will be responsible for the assistant. Individuals who are 16 and 17 years old may have the option of becoming official dog walkers, without supervision, after they have demonstrated understanding of our policies and responsible interaction with our dogs. There is a 3 month commitment for the position; however there is no set schedule. Dog walkers are welcome to walk dogs during any hours we are open to the public. Please keep in mind that your commitment is also to the dogs here. Being at the shelter is a very stressful time for them, seeing your face over and over again helps them to develop trust and build bonds so they can find their forever home. Cat Comforter Cat comforters are responsible for spending time petting and brushing our adoptable cats. Cats at our shelter are in a very unnatural environment. They are not able to roam or hide and they are subject to loud noises. Spending time to calm and comfort them helps them lower their stress, which in turn helps them to fight off any illnesses they may encounter. Cat comforters are also responsible for updating information on their kennel cards. The more information we can gather on the cat’s likes and dislikes the easier it is to place the cat in a home. Volunteers interested must attend the orientation and fill out the application. Cat comforters must be over the age of 18, however parents and guardians may bring “assistants,” as long as they are over the age of 8 years old. Assistants will have restrictions on what they can do, for example they cannot pull the cat out of the cage or put the cat back, but they can help to pet and brush the cat once the parent/guardian has established that the cat will tolerate the assistant. The parent or guardian will need to be present AT ALL TIMES and will be responsible for the assistant. Individuals who are 16 and 17 years old may have the option of becoming official cat comforters, without supervision, after they have demonstrated understanding of our policies and responsible interaction with our cats. There is a three month commitment for the position; however there is no set schedule. Cat comforters are welcome during any hours we are open to the public. Please keep in mind that your commitment is also to the cats here. Being at the shelter is a very stressful time for them, seeing your face over and over again helps them to develop trust and build bonds so they can find their forever home. Greeter Greeters are responsible for greeting visitors and assessing their reason for being at the shelter. They will then either direct them to an available staff member or instruct them to sign in and give them a tour of the center to show off our adoptable animals or assist them in locating their lost pet. Volunteer greeters must attend the orientation and fill out the application. Interviews will be scheduled either in person or over the phone for the interested party; those approved will have onsite training to ensure that they understand our policies and procedures. Greeters can be as young as 12, however those under 18 must be with a parent or guardian until we determine they are

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responsible enough and can properly represent our center. Once approved, they can work with or without their parent or guardian present. Greeters need to make a three month commitment and be able to work at least one 2-3 hour shift a week. We need greeters at our facility during every hour we are open to the public. This is a very important position and requires a great amount of customer service. You will not be very hands on with the animals, but you will be dealing with the public non-stop. Kennel Assistant Kennel assistants will work behind the front counter with our staff, they will make sure that all volunteers are signed in, signed out and have badge to wear during their shift. They will track which dogs are being walked and which ones still need to go out. They will be the first contact for volunteer greeters, dog walkers and cat comforters; they will be the one to seek out a supervisor, the vet staff or volunteer coordinator if necessary. The kennel assistant will also aid in taking pictures of animals upon arrival and update their kennel cards with the information provided by the dog walkers and cat comforters. Volunteers interested in becoming kennel assistants must submit their application and resume and attend the volunteer training. Interviews will be scheduled if your application is accepted and on-site training will be given those selected. Kennel assistants need to make a three month commitment and be able to work at least one 3-4 hour shift a week. We need kennel assistants at our facility during the hours we are open to the public. This position involves some interaction with cats and dogs, but the majority of interactions will be with staff and volunteers. Kennel assistants must be at least 18 years old. Rescue Leader The rescue leader will work with our current rescues to develop and build relationships, as well as reach out and contact new ones. They will help to keep the database active and up-to-date. They will also coordinate travel arraignments with those on the transport team to take animals to rescues outside our service area. The rescue lead answers to and works directly with the volunteer coordinator, the kennel leader and the veterinary staff. Volunteers interested in becoming rescue leaders must submit their application and resume and attend the volunteer orientation. Interviews will be scheduled if your application is accepted and onsite training will be given to those selected. Rescue leaders must be at least 21 years old and able to make a 3 month commitment. They must also be able to work at least 5 hours a week. The schedule is flexible and can be determined by the volunteer and rescue leaders. There will be minimal animal contact, but lots of interaction with staff and rescues. Leaders must have excellent customer service skills, a positive attitude, strong organizational skills and motivation. This is a position where you must remain calm and professional in any situation. Knowledge of computers and telephone systems is a must. Transport Team

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The job of a transport team member is to drive an animal from our facility to a rescue or shelter that can better serve an animal’s individual needs. If transport is needed, you will receive a call from the rescue leader, and if you are able to accept the assignment, you will be in charge of safely transporting the animal. Those interested in becoming a member of the transport team will need to submit an application and attend the volunteer orientation class. Interviews will be conducted once your application is accepted and onsite training will be given. Transport team members must be at least 21 years old and have their own transportation. Use of your personal vehicle is required within 40 miles; beyond that approved volunteers can be given use of a county vehicle. Transport team members need to be able to make a 3 month commitment; however this is an oncall position, which means there are no set hours. We ask that you try to accept as many calls as you are able to or at least one a month. A transport team member will work directly with animals, staff and members of other rescues and shelters. Community Representative Community representatives help us to spread our message. They can do this by hanging flyers or passing out brochures in their community. They also do this by knowing what we do at our shelter and spreading the word to other residents in Oakland County. This position is perfect for people of any age. Families, classrooms and groups alike can work together to be community representatives. Anyone interested in becoming a community representative should submit an application and then attend a volunteer orientation class. This position requires a 3 month commitment, however there are no set hours, it is up to you schedule and discretion how often you can or want to spread our message. Community Leader Community leaders will be needed from each municipality we represent (there are about 40). Leaders will be responsible for networking and building close relationships with veterinarians, dog trainers, rescues, groomers and other pet advocates in their municipality. This will help us to increase awareness and network our facility. An example of what your position might entail is: you would receive a notification from us that we have an influx of kittens and we cannot spay and neuter them fast enough, you would network with veterinarians in your area to see if any were able to help out with spaying and neutering. Or if we have a dog come in that is in rough shape, seeing if any local groomers would be able to groom the dog so it can go up for adoption. Community leaders must be at least 18 years old and submit a resume and application. If accepted they will attend the volunteer orientation and work with the Volunteer Staff Team to start networking in their community. This position requires a 3 month commitment. While it does not require actual hours at our facility it does require time networking and communicating with our staff either by phone or e-mail. Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center | Volunteer Training Manual

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Community Leaders need to have extensive customer service skills and remain polite, calm and professional in any situation they encounter. Education Ambassador Education ambassadors are students K-12 who work with their school to promote responsible pet ownership. Students in this position ask their school administrators for permission to post flyers in their schools or classrooms and for us to come and have a school assembly. If you are interested in becoming an education ambassador please fill out a volunteer application. You will then be scheduled for an orientation. We can then discuss with each ambassador tips and ideas for talking with their school administration and provide the necessary flyers and brochures. Any school age student is welcome to participate in this position. Special Events Coordinator The special events coordinator team will assist in organizing and planning both fundraisers and events at our facility and off-site. Activities of this position include; assisting with volunteer recruitment for events, handling and planning logistics, and working with staff to get fundraisers or events approved. Volunteers for this position 18 years or older, those interested must submit a resume and volunteer application and attend our volunteer orientation. Interviews and on-site training will be given to volunteers who are accepted for this position. There are on 2-3 slots open for this position and previous experience in fundraising or event planning is preferred. Coordinators must make a 3 month commitment and be able to work a few hours a week as needed for current fundraisers and events. Veterinary Helper The veterinary helper will assist the veterinary staff in various ways, such as; giving vaccinations, restraining animals, performing heartworm tests and fecal examinations, entering medical information into our database and wrapping surgery pack. Veterinary helpers must be enrolled in a college level veterinary/veterinary assistant program or have hands on veterinary medical experience. We are willing to work with your school’s program to consider this an unpaid internship. Those interested must submit an application and resume and attend our volunteer orientation. If you application is accepted and interview will be scheduled. There are only 1-2 openings for this position at a time and a 3 month commitment is required. Volunteers must also be able to work at least 5-10 hours a week.

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Interacting With Our Animals Walking Shelter Dogs The most important thing when walking dogs (besides having fun) is to make sure you are only walking the dogs that you are allowed to walk. “RED” MEANS STOP, “GREEN” MEANS GO! You may only walk dogs that are adoptable; these dogs will have a kennel card with a picture and green writing that states that they are adoptable.

Dogs with a red kennel card are not allowed to be walked. The only exception to this is if the animal is pending rescue and you have permission from management to walk them. Please use the leashes that are provided for you at the stray desk. It is best to have the leash on the dog before it is allowed to exit its cage. The best way to do this is by slipping the leash over its head while it is still in the cage. It is very important that you only walk dogs to your ability. It is not safe or beneficial for you or the dog if you do not have full control of them on your walks. Some important things to watch for when dealing with animals at the shelter: Dogs do not appreciate being grabbed by their collars, please avoid this if possible. There are times when you may see behaviors such as; ears pinned back, licking lips, avoidance (such as staying at the back of cage), or a lowered head and body. These are signs of stress and you may want to avoid interaction and allow a more experienced volunteer to walk them if you feel uncomfortable. Only walk one dog at a time and please keep a watchful eye out for other dogs or people on your walks. It is not ok to walk your dog around or near other animals. A lot of our animals come to us as strays and may not get along well with others. Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center | Volunteer Training Manual

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There are outside pens that you are welcome to take the dogs out to and once inside they can be let off their leashes. Please make sure that there are no other dogs using the pen at the time. It is important to read the cage cards before walking an animal because often there is added information that may be of interest to you such as; some dogs can jump the fences and are not allowed to be left alone or possibility off of their leash for this reason. Rain or shine our animal’s love to go outside as long as you are willing to walk them! Comforting Shelter Cats When volunteering to comfort our cats it’s very important that you also know which ones are approved for adoption since these are the only cats you will be allowed to handle. Adoptable

Not Adoptable

You may take the cats out of there cages to hold them and spend time with them, we only ask that you wash your hands in-between each and every cat you encounter during your time here. This helps eliminate the spread of disease from one cat to another. We also have brushes behind the stray desk for you to use if you would like. I know our furry felines love to be groomed as often as possible. Please feel free to ask our staff to help you locate one, we are more than happy to help you. One more important note: If you are not aware we have a special room called kitty city here and you are more than welcomed to join the kitties that are already in there and spend time with them. The only thing that we ask of you is not to remove these cats from kitty city and please do not bring any other cats into the room. These cats were hand picked by our vet staff to safely interact together.

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Notes:

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