COASTAL K9 VOLUNTEER APPLICATION PACKAGE

General Guidelines for the Ranch

• PARKING–Volunteers can park in the lot to the front left of the property
• ENTER by the Volunteer Gate which is the smaller gate left of the office.
• Be careful of GOPHER HOLESwhen walking on the property.
• If you see a POOP, please PICK IT UP. Pick up dog poop using bags or a small poop scoop and put it in the poop cans.
• In the dog PLAY alleys, please use the designated poop scoops to pick up poop and dispose of it in the poop cans. If it’s runny, wash down and disinfect with a spray bottle.
• No TRANSPORTINGdogs until approved to do so.
• BATHROOM–There is a bathroom in the house that can be used, or, a Porta Potty by the front gate.

Dog Walking/HandlingGuidelines

IMPORTANT: Our orientation and mentoring training are intended to help prepare for a successful volunteer experience. If you are volunteering to be a member of our DOG SQUAD (Dog Walking), it is necessary that you are physically able to walk 2-5 miles and handle ALL-sized dogs, including large dogs that pull. 
Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our Volunteers and rescue dogs, Coastal reserves the right to remove any person from the Dog Squad, or from walking a specific dog, if we determine that the knowledge and skills required for a safe walk have not been met. We will
be happy to reassess how that person may be able to help our rescue dogs in other ways.

• Dogs need to WALK every morning starting at 9:00 am, Monday – Sunday.
• In the SUMMER or unseasonably HOT DAYS, the dogs will need to get out earlier. AVOID walking on blacktop and bring WATER for the dogs and for yourself.
• CHECK-IN at the central park area under the trees for Announcements from the staff and for them to retrieve a dog for you.
• SIGN-OUT your dog on the whiteboard and make sure to include your Cell Phone #.
• MAKE A NOTE on the whiteboard if you notice anything about our dogs while walking (limping, listless, sensitive ears, diarrhea, etc.).
• PHONE on you, NOT on your phone.
• KEEP DOG CLOSE on your left, NO Full Extension of leash.
• NO TREATS for dogs unless it’s boiled chicken (check dog sign-out whiteboard for dogs who may be on a no-treat/no chicken diet).
• Dogs STAY ON LEASH outside the kennel unless they are in a Play Yard (Alley).
• No FACE to FACE with dog-to-dog, or dog-to-volunteer.
• Be PRESENT and AWARE of your dog and your surroundings.
• NO walking dogs on the road OUTSIDE the Ranch’s front entrance. (It’s busy and can be scary/dangerous for our dogs) Please walk dogs around the property.
• The dogs can be walked off-site only at Coastal-approved locations. Volunteers are allowed to drive a dog they are familiar with. WALK ONLY in designated areas.
• Dogs and dog walkers are to AVOID CONTACT with the public. Per our insurance, people who have not signed a Coastal waiver cannot touch, pet, or handle our dogs. There are no exceptions to this rule.
• NEWLY RESCUED DOGS will need time to adjust and settle into their new home. Visits off-site will happen after the new dog is cleared for such activities either by Denise or Teresa. No exceptions.
• COASTAL “SPLASH ZONE” POOL – we are still establishing guidelines for using the pool with the dogs.
  Until further notice, Denise must be present and supervise any pool activities.

Retrieving/Pulling Dogs

• In the morning, DESIGNATED PERSONNEL will get the dogs out of their kennel in the Bunk House and bring them to you.
• DO NOT pull a dog from an Outside Kennel Run unless you’ve been taught how we pull dogs safely and securely.
• After being trained, you can put a dog back in its designated Outside Kennel Run. Make sure the run is secured.
• In the morning, DESIGNATED PERSONNEL will get the dogs out of their kennel in the Bunk House and bring them to you.

• DO NOT pull a dog from an Outside Kennel Run unless you’ve been taught how we pull dogs safely and securely.
• After being trained, you can put a dog back in its designated Outside Kennel Run. Make sure the run is secured.

As a Reminder

• ALWAYS CHECK that the dog's COLLARS and LEASHES and SAFETY CLIP are securely attached (especially PINCH COLLARS).
• Check to see which dogs can be PUT NEXT TO EACH other in a Kennel Run or Play Yard/Alley.
• NO DOGS SHOULD BE LEFT UNSUPERVISED in the Play Yards/Alleys. There may be a few dogs who are approved for this, but please check with the Ranch staff first.
• When putting a dog in an ALLEY or KENNEL RUN, please make sure the WATER BUCKETS are CLEAN and FULL.
• DO NOT HAVE TWO DOGS in the Alleys together unless it’s an Approved Pair.
• Remember our BASIC RULES, no Face-to-Face interactions with the dogs. We can’t stress this enough.
• DO NOT pull a Ball or Toy out of a dog’s mouth.
• DON'T LET DOWN YOUR GUARD. We need to be EVER VIGILANT to protect the Dogs, our Volunteers, and our Rescue.

General Ranch Housekeeping

• Throw trash out, ESPECIALLY FOOD & FOOD WRAPPERS, in covered bins only. We want to keep the RODENTS out – they are everywhere!
• RECYCLE – there are designated bins for recycling plastic bottles, cans, and glass located in the central park area under the trees.
• PUT dog brushes BACK, Furminators, etc. back in the buckets in the middle of the central park area under the trees, so we can all find them again.
• CLOSE SHED DOORS – always close the shed doors whenever you go in there or notice that the door has been left open. We don’t want to invite mice, insects, and other rodents.
• If you SEE TRASH, help everyone out by PICKING UP trash laying around.
• IF YOU SEE KIBBLE ON THE GROUND, PLEASE THROW IT OUT IN COVERED BINS. Kibble and any other food that is left out, or on the ground, invites COYOTES and other unwanted guests.
• The WATER PRESSURE at the Ranch is high. Always TURN THE WATER OFF after you have used it so we don’t blow out the hoses.
• If you see a DOOR or GATE open to the outside, CLOSE IT so that if a dog is loose he/she can’t get out
  and escape the property.

Read and Acknowledge

This Release and Waiver of Liability ("Release"), in favor of Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue (dba Coastal German Shepherd Rescue of San Diego), a California public benefit corporation, its directors, officers, representatives, employees, and agents (collectively, "Coastal").

VOLUNTEER UNDERSTANDS THERE ARE KNOWN RISKS. Volunteer desires to donate their time, effort, services, and resources as a volunteer for Coastal, and engage in activities related to being a volunteer with a dog rescue organization. Volunteer represents and warrants that volunteer is physically and mentally fit to safely participate in the volunteer activities. Volunteer recognizes and understands the risks associated with the transportation and handling of animals, displaying and caring for animals, and dealing with the public and other volunteers, and volunteer understands that there are hazards and risks to person and personal property and that these hazards may occur from the actions of other volunteers, or actions of Coastal its directors, officers, representatives, employees, and agents. The volunteer has been advised and understands that the activities are hazardous and involve contact with animals that can be dangerous and unpredictable.

VOLUNTEER UNDERSTANDS THE NATURE OF THE RISKS. Volunteer understands that working with dogs can be dangerous and may expose the volunteer to hazards and risks that may include, but not be limited to: Animal and dog bites and/or scratches; being knocked down, jumped on, or pulled over by a dog; injuries related to the wrist and/or hand from the animal or leash, slips, and falls, hitting the head or other body parts on kennels; exposure to animal illness, parasites, fleas, and ticks; loss of and/or damage to personal property; damage to vehicles; damage to clothing from animals; picking up and handling dog waste; and exposure to cleaning products which contain chemicals. Volunteer hereby expressly and specifically assumes the risks of injury or harm with respect to the activities and hereby releases Coastal from all liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage arising from volunteer activities. Volunteer fully, completely, and unconditionally (I) waives and releases Coastal from all liabilities, losses, duties, claims, charges, demands, actions, damages, costs, attorney fees, and expenses of whatever kind and nature that Volunteer may have now or in the future against Coastal relating to the volunteering activities, and (ii) covenants not to assert any cause of action against Coastal. Volunteer on their own behalf and on behalf of her/his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns hereby and forever agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Coastal, and forever discharge Coastal and their successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands, of whatever kind or nature, either at law or in equity, which may arise from Volunteer's activities with Coastal. Volunteer understands that this Release discharges Coastal from any liability or claim that Volunteer may have against Coastal with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage that may result from Volunteers by the negligence of the parties comprising Coastal or otherwise.

COASTAL ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY. Volunteer also understands and acknowledges that Coastal does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to (i) provide financial assistance or other assistance, including but not limited to, medical, health, or disability insurance, in the event of injury or illness, and (ii) reimburse Volunteer for any expenses incurred by Volunteer, including but not limited to bail out fees, veterinarian expenses, material costs such as toner, ink, paper, film development costs, legal expenses, sale merchandise, equipment, office supplies, and advertising material. All fees, costs, and expenses incurred by Volunteer are the sole responsibility of the Volunteer unless written authorization from Coastal is received by Volunteer prior to the incurring of those fees, costs, and expenses. Volunteer understands that, except otherwise expressly agreed to by Coastal in writing, Coastal does not carry or maintain health, medical, or disability insurance for any Volunteer.

VOLUNTEER GRANTS RIGHTS TO COASTAL. Volunteer does hereby grant unto Coastal all right, title and interest in any and all photographic images and video or audio recordings made by Coastal during Volunteer's activities with Coastal, including but not limited to any royalties, proceeds, or other benefits derived from such photographs or recordings.

RELEASE IS BROAD AND INCLUSIVE. Volunteer agrees that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the State of California and that this Release shall be enforced, governed by, and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Volunteer agrees that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release shall be held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such· clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provisions of this Release, which shall continue to be enforceable. Volunteer intends this Release to be in effect each and every time Volunteer
participates in activities with Coastal. If the parties have any dispute regarding this Release or otherwise attempt the enforcement of this Release and a legal proceeding is initiated, the non-prevailing party in such legal proceeding shall pay to the prevailing party any and all attorneys and experts' fees and costs, including court costs.