Volunteer Application

It Is For The Cats & Minor Protection That  Volunteers Be 14+ Years Of Age. I Understand The Volunteering Tasks, As Shown In The Volunteer Role Description, That My Child/Ward Will Be Involved In And I Give My Permission For Them To Volunteer With Nine Lives Rescue & Adoption Center.

Our Code Of Conduct Defines The Values And Beliefs Of Our Organization

When You Join Our Team, You’re Part Of Our Family, Whether You’ve Been With Us Since We Started Or You Just Signed Up. As One Of Our Rescue Volunteers We Ask You To Agree To Our Code Of Conduct.

• I will abide by the policies and procedures set by Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center and will treat animals respectfully and with care.

• Because my safety is paramount, safety protocols must be adhered to at all times and at all levels; thus, I must have the ability to follow and execute written and verbal instructions from designated immediate supervisors and chain of command. I understand if I can not or (my minor child) cannot follow instructions, Nine Lives Cat Rescue may terminate my volunteer duties.

• I understand that the application or administration of any prescription or over the counter medication whether orally, topically, by injection or any other parenteral route is strictly prohibited inside the building. This includes food but is not limited to any and all pills, capsules, tablets, creams, ointments and liquids unless otherwise approved by a supervisor in advance.

• I will wear my uniform, which includes jeans, sneakers, and my volunteer shirt and badge. In addition, I will do the job I am assigned to and stay in the area assigned. I will also limit my phone usage while volunteering and if used in public areas I will be courteous to the customers.

• I will act and appear professional at all times while volunteering and any time I am wearing my Nine Lives Cat Rescue uniform in public. I will also limit the wear of my Nine Lives Rescue uniform to the days that I volunteer.

• I understand that Nine Lives Cat Rescue is considered a No Kill shelter and take great pride in that with preventions and care and though the attempt is made to save as many cats as possible, euthanasia is at times medically indicated to alleviate pain and suffering as determined by our veterinarian.

• I understand that volunteering at Nine Lives Cat Rescue I will be considered part of the team and it takes a lot of teamwork to make our mission possible. I understand that working with the public is a crucial part of carrying out the full mission and I will be kind and respectful to all team members, cats and customers. I do understand however, that not all jobs I will be assigned to involve talking to the public and I may be working alone. I understand that working independently is also crucial at times and I will tend to the given task at hand and ask questions as needed.

• I will speak in a positive manner regarding Nine Lives Cat Rescue at all times and be polite and professional to all staff, other volunteers and the public at all times.

• I understand that engaging in malicious activities that may damage the reputation of the Department, its rescue partners, employees or other volunteers is counterproductive to the parties’ mutual mission of promoting adoptions to “strays”, “rescue” animals and the reduction of the stray population. Accordingly, such actions may result in termination of this agreement by Nine Lives Cat Rescue.

• I will only speak to a Volunteer Coordinator or supervisor, regarding any problem with a cat, staff or the public.

• I agree to respect the confidential nature of the information I may obtain. I understand that my failure to follow the policies and rules of Nine Lives Cat Rescue will result in termination of my service with Nine Lives Cat Rescue.

• I understand that Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center has a strict no drug & alcohol policy and I agree that if I show signs of any impairment, Nine Lives Cat Rescue reserves the right to test for any substances. In addition, Nine Lives reserves the right to require a negative drug/alcohol test to continue volunteer services.

VOLUNTEER WAIVER.

I, _______________________________________________________ (Volunteer or Parent/Guardian) agree to release, discharge, indemnify, and hold harmless Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center for any and all damages to my personal property while performing my volunteer services for Nine Lives Cat Rescue.

I recognize that in handling animals at Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center while performing my volunteer services, there exists a risk of injury, including personal physical harm. On behalf of myself, my heirs, my personal representatives and executors, I hereby release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center, its agents, servants, partners and employees from any and all claims, causes of action or demands, of any nature or cause connected with my volunteer agreement. This might include costs and attorney fees and court costs incurred by Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center in connection with my volunteer services based on damages or injuries which might be incurred or sustained but are not limited to animal bites, scratches, accidents, injuries and stolen or damaged personal property.

I understand that public relations are an important part of volunteering and Nine Lives. I therefore agree on behalf of myself, my heirs, my personal representatives and my executors, to allow Nine Lives Cat Rescue use any photographs taken of me for use in public relations efforts. Nine Lives Cat Rescue will use reasonable efforts to notify me before use, but such notification is not a condition of photographs being released for public relations purposes.

I acknowledge that I have read and fully understand the terms and conditions of the foregoing volunteer agreement and release and that I will fully comply.

PERMISSION FOR THOSE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE TO VOLUNTEER.

1. As a parent or legal guardian of the above-mentioned volunteer. I hereby give my consent to allow my child/ward to volunteer independently (14-17 years old) for Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center as described within this volunteer agreement and release. I understand that I must attend the volunteer orientation and may be subject to stay the entire time volunteer services are being performed.

2. As a parent or legal guardian of the above-mentioned volunteer, I hereby give my consent to allow my child/ward to volunteer for Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center as described within this volunteer agreement and understand that I must volunteer with the above-mentioned volunteer (14 years old) at all times. Additionally, I understand that I will do the mandatory background check along with my child/ward.

3. I have read this Volunteer agreement and release and fully understand its terms and conditions. On behalf of my child/ward and myself, I agree to all terms and conditions as set out in the volunteer agreement and release.

It is the policy of Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center to maintain a workplace that is free from the effects of drug and alcohol use. Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center will not tolerate any drug or alcohol use while Volunteering at Nine Lives or prior use that imperils the health or well-being of our Volunteers, Employees, Customers and Cats, threatens its operation, or compromises the safety of our products and services.

While on Nine Lives property or while performing business outside of the property including events that Nine Lives is a part of, volunteers and employees are prohibited from the use of, abuse of, involvement in the manufacturing of, possession of, under the influence of and/or dispensation of illegal drugs. Volunteers and employees are also prohibited from using alcohol while volunteering at Nine Lives Rescue or to the extent that it negatively affects Nine Lives Rescue and your ability to carry out your volunteer duties. Engaging in this prohibited conduct will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or volunteer status.

While Nine Lives understands that prescription medications are needed for many reasons. We have set strict guidelines for the use of these medications in our building for the safety of our volunteers, employees, customers and Cats. Prescription medications as well as over the counter medications MUST only be taken outside or in the designated areas of the building. All medications that come into the building MUST be stored properly, meaning in a child safe bottle inside of a purse or bag, locked or stored in the designated area where volunteer and employee belongings are kept. Nine Lives Rescue prohibits the unlawful use, distribution or possession of controlled substances such as but not limited to; pain medications, antidepressants, adderall (or similar). All medications are prohibited around or in the area where cats can accidentally ingest them, this includes ANY creams, ointments, salves, etc. that you may use on your skin. If a cream, ointment or salve is needed to be used, volunteers or employees MUST have these approved by management prior because these could be toxic to cats.

All volunteers and employees are required to report any drug/alcohol abuse or concerns they may have about another volunteer or employee to management only. If drugs or alcohol abuse is suspected and a cause of concern Nine Lives reserves the right to have an employee or volunteer drug tested at the expense of the employee or volunteer before returning to Nine Lives Cat Rescue & Adoption Center. 

By signing below you acknowledge that you MUST abide by the Drug & Alcohol Policy and notify management if medications are needed prior to use. You understand and agree that if drug or alcohol abuse is suspected that Nine Lives may require a negative drug/alcohol test before you can return to your duties. You acknowledge that unlawful or not approved use, distribution etc. may result in disciplinary action and/or termination of employment or volunteer duties.