Volunteer Manual

30 Undine Road Brighton, MA 02135 617-787-8872 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome Page 3

Mission and History Page 4

Contact Information and Hours Page 5

Staff and Board of Directors Page 6

Overview of Shelter Operations Page 7

Volunteer Information Pages 8-13

Guidelines for Interacting with Cats Pages 14 – 17

Disease Control and Safety Pages 18-19

Shelter Cleaning Pages 19-20

Acknowledgement of Reading Page 21 Volunteer manual

Volunteer Agreement Page 22-23

Workplace Culture Agreement Page 24-26

Volunteer Manual / Page 2 WELCOME TO THE GIFFORD CAT SHELTER

Dear Volunteer,

Thank you for choosing to donate your time, energy and enthusiasm to the Gifford Cat Shelter! You are so important to the lives and well-being of our feline residents and really make a difference in their lives.

Gifford is a very special place where we focus on creating a healthy and happy temporary home for our cats until they are adopted into permanent homes. While living here, our cats are given the very best of care in an outstanding cageless environment.

Whichever volunteer job (or jobs) you choose to perform, please know that everything you do is helping our cats. Whether you are helping to create a clean, safe environment, socializing shy cats, staffing an event or running errands, you are contributing to the overall functioning of the shelter and working with us toward a common goal.

No matter which job you are performing, we encourage you to spend time with the cats whenever you visit the shelter. Seeing how they progress from newly rescued strays to friendly, adoptable cats is quite rewarding!

If you have a specific talent, skill or expertise that you would like to contribute, please let us know! There are ample opportunities to support the Gifford in a number of ways from gardening to fundraising, event planning to public relations.

On behalf of all of us at the Gifford Cat Shelter including the hundreds of cats you will help save this year alone, thank you for your generous support.

Welcome to Team Gifford!

Volunteer Manual / Page 3 GIFFORD CAT SHELTER MISSION AND HISTORY

Mission Statement

The mission of Gifford Cat Shelter is to provide a safe haven for abandoned, stray, abused, neglected, unwanted and injured cats with the goal of re-homing and ending the needless killing of community and companion cats.

History

“If only the waifs, the strays, the sick, the abused would be sure to get entrance to the home, and anybody could feel at liberty to bring in a starved or ill-treated animal and have it cared for without pay, my object would be obtained.”

When Ellen Gifford penned these words in 1884, she created a powerful mission and established a legacy of kindness and compassion that has endured to the present day.

The Ellen M. Gifford Sheltering Home was founded on land belonging to Captain Nathan Appleton, with an initial $25,000 donation from Ellen Gifford. Captain Appleton, a visionary in his time, felt that animals “had a right to their lives and pursuit of happiness”.1

The original shelter was cageless and there was no routine euthanasia. Since much of Brighton was farm land in those days, animals ranged from goats and bulls to dogs and cats. In 1900, Helen M. Winslow describes the original cat building as a house with shelves used as “bunk beds”. Bedding consisted of clean hay. Cooked meat and fish and water were served at feeding stations.

As the character of the Brighton neighborhood changed over the years, so did the shelter. Much of the original land was sold and the shelter eventually housed only cats. In 2009, the original shelter was replaced by a new building.

Today, the Gifford Cat Shelter continues to uphold Mrs. Gifford’s original intention. More than 70% of the cats we take in have been rescued from homelessness, hoarders or abandonment. Most of the cats are hungry and frightened. We are committed to providing each cat with safety, food, veterinary care, and lots of love until we find a permanent home for him/her. We maintain a standard of excellence in caring for and finding permanent homes for cats and we are a strong asset to our community.

1. “Concerning Cats” by Helen M. Winslow, published in 1900.

Volunteer Manual / Page 4 GIFFORD CAT SHELTER CONTACT INFORMATION AND HOURS

Mailing Address: 30 Undine Road, Brighton, MA 02135

Phone #: 617-787-8872

Email: [email protected]

Web site: www.giffordcatshelter.org

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/giffordcatshelter (Please “Like” us on Facebook to see regular updates on adopted cats and shelter activities.) You can also follow us on:

Hours: The shelter operates from 8AM - 5PM, seven days per week. We are open to the public on Thursday evenings from 4:00 – 7:30PM, Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00PM or by appointment.

Volunteer Hours: 8AM – 4PM Friday - Wednesday; 8AM – 8PM Thursday

Volunteers reporting between the hours of 8 – 10AM are asked to assist with cleaning. No socialization activities begin until all cleaning is complete. All volunteers must leave the buildings by 4:00PM (or 8PM on Thursday).

Holiday Closure: The shelter is closed to the public on:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Day Easter Sunday Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday) Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Volunteer Manual / Page 5 Due to adjusted staffing levels during holidays, volunteers are scheduled for the morning to assist staff with cleaning. Once areas are cleaned and all animals fed, and medicated, volunteers can begin socializing the animals. On holidays we ask that volunteers do not report to volunteer after noon. STAFF

Stacey Price 617-767-1350 Interim Executive Director [email protected]

Jessica Popescu, M.S. 617-787-8872 Veterinary Technician [email protected] Shelter Manager

Eric Royal 617-787-8872 Shelter Manager [email protected] & Volunteer Coordinator

Jessica Carrera 617-787-8872 Shelter Assistant

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lisa Sacchetti 617-264-2100 President [email protected]

Rachel Geller 617-332-5992 Vice President [email protected]

Christine Quinby 617-901-0714 Treasurer [email protected]

Volunteer Manual / Page 6 OVERVIEW OF SHELTER OPERATIONS

The shelter staff includes the Interim Executive Director, two Shelter Managers, two Shelter Assistants, and a corps of volunteers. During regular shelter hours, one or both of the Shelter Managers is on duty to oversee operations. Volunteers work under the direction of the shelter staff.

The shelter provides transitional housing for cats and kittens in two buildings plus an outdoor colony. The large main building houses adult cats and kittens and includes a fully enclosed outdoor play area.

The adjacent outdoor space houses a feral colony. There are two large heated sheds for winter protection, along with heated water bowls and indoor/outdoor feeding stations.

In the upstairs area of the house are four rooms for cats that need to be quarantined, are FIV+ or need extra attention and socialization. The quarantine room is used for newly admitted cats who are still being evaluated and receiving immunizations. This room is restricted to staff only to avoid the potential for spread of infection if any of these cats are ill.

Gifford is a cageless shelter, meaning that cats are allowed to roam freely within their area. In the main shelter, six large enclosures are used for newly admitted cats or those who do not tolerate being out with the larger community. In the kitten room and the upstairs areas, large pop-ups may be used for restriction of activity (for example, after surgery or for specific health evaluation).

We are also a “no-kill” shelter, meaning that we do not euthanize cats to create room for new cats. Euthanasia is only allowed/performed when medically necessary to alleviate pain and suffering. Please speak to a staff member if you have questions about this policy.

Approximately 70% of the cats are rescued strays, with majority brought to us by area rescue groups. All cats receive basic veterinary care, including spay/neuter surgery before adoption. We prescreen and interview potential adopters and follow-up on the progress of all of our adopted cats.

Volunteer Manual / Page 7 The Gifford Cat Shelter also engages in community outreach, offering advice and assistance on cat care and adoptions, and linking with other shelters and organizations in the area.

VOLUNTEER POLICIES

Eligibility:  Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to work independently.  Volunteers between the ages of 14 and 17 must have written consent from a parent/legal guardian to participate  Volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by a parent at all times. Both the child and parent must attend orientation and the parent actively supervise and be present during the child’s volunteer time.  Due to the Gifford’s physical size we have a limited number of child volunteer positions. We may be unable to fulfill all child requests to volunteer (depending on volunteer shift availability) until another slot becomes available.

Cancelling Your Shift: If you cannot make a scheduled shift and are unable to find a substitute, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator or shelter directly so we have time to fill your spot. We rely heavily on volunteers to complete daily cat care and need to make arrangements to cover your absence.

Unexcused Absences: Because we depend on you, to help us help the animals, we take your service very seriously. No-shows will not be tolerated. You will be contacted after your first and second no-show. After three unexcused absences, we will assume that you have changed your mind and are no longer interested in volunteering. You will be taken off the active volunteer roster. A no-show is defined as being assigned to a volunteer shift and not showing up or calling prior to your shift.

Volunteer Dress Code: Although not required, it is highly recommended that volunteers purchase/wear a Gifford Volunteer t-shirt or sweatshirt when volunteering at the shelter or off site at events. T-shirts help staff/public identify people authorized to be in certain areas of the shelter. We ask that all volunteers wear closed-toed shoes and long pants while working with cats or cleaning. For your safety, no sandals, flip flops, or shorts.

Recording Volunteer Hours: We depend on you signing in and out on the volunteer sheets each time you serve or volunteer at home or offsite. Please make sure your info is legible. ** By logging your hours, you are not only verifying when you are eligible to move on to more duties, but you are helping Gifford Cat Shelter to document community involvement which assists us with

Volunteer Manual / Page 8 receiving grants and funding! Don’t be a silent service volunteer. PLEASE RECORD YOUR HOURS!

REPRESENTING THE SHELTER

As a volunteer, you are representing the Gifford Cat Shelter. You have the power to educate and inspire others in our community about what we do and the wonderful cats we work for. We encourage you to talk to your friends, family and co-workers about our organization in a respectful, positive manner. If you have any issues or concerns with the shelter, please take it directly to the Shelter Manager overseeing our Volunteer Program or the Executive Director. Any disrespectful representation or intentional misrepresentation of Gifford Cat Shelter can be cause for immediate dismissal from the Volunteer Program.

VOLUNTEER BENEFITS

Appreciation Discount: After completing a month of volunteer service (aside from immediate t-shirt purchases) you will be eligible for a 20% discount on cat adoptions and retail purchases (excluding items from third party vendors like our Rescue Wine Collection).

Volunteer Lounge: We have a dedicated volunteer lounge in the lower level of the house to relax, meet with other volunteers and to keep personal belongings and resources (to be completed Jan. 2015). Please assist us in keeping this area neat and clean by straightening up and returning things to their places when you leave. Cats are not allowed in the volunteer lounge.

Gifford Events/Volunteer Appreciation Party: We take a great deal of pride in the service and dedication our volunteers provide. Without you, our work wouldn’t be possible. For that reason, each year we host a holiday volunteer appreciation party open to all volunteers and offer volunteer discounts for tickets to our Feline Affair Live and Silent Auction. We appreciate everything you do for our cats and want to make sure that you know it!

VOLUNTEER COMMUNICATIONS

We realize how important communications are to you and your experience at the shelter and want to include you as much as possible in the updates surrounding our shelter and cats. In an effort to balance communicating with over 100 volunteers and allow our team to have ample time dedicated to the care and welfare of our cats, we’ve devised a few

Volunteer Manual / Page 9 ways to keep the channels of communication open and hope that you will take advantage of them to stay current on all shelter changes and relevant information that could affect your time at the shelter.

Enclosure Signage: Please be aware/observant of the various laminated signs that we have throughout the shelter. Most indicate a cat’s status and special needs ranging from socialization to diets to disease control and must be adhered to. Located in the shelter office, we have a dedicated volunteer communications board to post recent updates for the day/week. We encourage you to check this before beginning your shift.

Whiteboards: In each room of the shelter you will find large whiteboards – these are CRITICAL in getting our cats adopted and staying on top of their care and accurately reporting their likes and dislikes. Please feel free to add comments as you get to know our cats. With a small staff, we heavily rely on our volunteers to be our eyes and ears when it comes to getting to know our cats so that we can accurately create pet profiles in a timely manner and find the best possible permanent homes for our cats.

Medical Log: Equally important is recording any abnormities in health (stool, eye/nose discharge, not eating, lethargic, etc.) on the medical log hanging in the main shelter kitchen. Staff review this log daily and is imperative in keeping our cats healthy and monitoring their care. If you see something, say (or write) something.

Weekly Volunteer Emails: Please be sure you are on our volunteer email mailing list and read each message. Any changes or important information as well as new resident info are included in these emails. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to stay updated on most recent happenings and shelter policies/operational changes, and to update us if your contact information changes.

BUILDING/FACILITY NOTES

Parking: Parking is available on shelter grounds; however, permits are required for off street parking. We ask that all volunteers/visitors drive into the shelter at a slow pace. We often have people, animals (wild bunnies) and items in our parking lot area. We ask that spots directly in front of the office remain open.

Doors: Please make sure all doors are latched when exiting/entering a building. Many times the wind can push them open and we don’t want to risk our cats escaping. Also, please close

Volunteer Manual / Page 10 all doors to cat living areas. If a cat is confined to an enclosure in the main building, ask a staff member before allowing the cat out to interact with other cats.

Kitty Cams: Kitty cams provide the public with a great source of entertainment and a way to get to know our cats. They are on display and recording 24/7 in both our kitten room and main adoption building.

VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES

Please note: You are welcome (and encouraged) to participate in any or all of the following activities.

Shelter Cleaning: Assist with washing dishes, changing litter boxes, sweeping, and general cleaning and disinfection

Cat Companion: Provide interactive play and socialization; participate in our “shy cat” socialization process with cats enrolled in our “Feline Charm School” (training is provided)

Adoption Ambassador: Must be regular weekly volunteers at the shelter and meet established criteria and training to become an Adoption Ambassador. Customer Service experience is a must. Requires training on Gifford Adoption policies.

Medical: Caring for over 60 cats on any given day requires a good amount of medical attention ranging from reading/inputting medical records, administering medications and vaccines. Prior medical experience is a must (human/animal).

Errands and Cat Transportation: Assist with errands such as picking up supplies, driving cats to the veterinarian, etc. You must have a car and a valid driver's license

Foster Care: * Please complete the Foster Application to apply for this volunteer opportunity. You must have landlord permission to foster cats/kittens if you rent your home.

Administrative Work: Help with office projects, phone calls, data entry, filing, updating and printing web material, writing for newsletters (based on your interest and skills)

Maintenance: Assist with caring for lawn and property (i.e.: painting, light carpentry, mowing, etc.)

Volunteer Manual / Page 11 Fundraising: Assist with event planning and major fundraising activities for the shelter. Participate in committees for specific events.

Community Outreach: Must be comfortable with high public visibility, and be able to tactfully handle difficult questions or defer to a staff member if they do not know the answer.

Commitment is 2-4 hours per an outreach event. Shifts, days, and times will vary based on event specifications. Responsibilities include engaging in varying outreach activities and tabling events (i.e. health fairs, community fairs, festivals, concerts, Petco and other pet store events, etc.) in order to educate the community about Gifford’s goals, adoption, services, volunteer program, and upcoming events as well as creating awareness about animal welfare issues. Outreach volunteers are responsible for picking up materials for outreach, table set up, distribution of information, brochures and other materials, asking for donations and for individuals to sign up for our mailing list. Materials must be returned to Gifford after the event. Outreach volunteers need to professionally represent Gifford in the public eye and wear Gifford Gear as a shelter rep.

Special Events: Help plan, market, and run special events, including large fundraising events

Gifford Signature Events: The more the merrier. We encourage your participation in various shelter events throughout the year whether it is as an attendee or volunteer. Here are a few of Gifford’s events that you can look forward to: Fall – Meow Mile 5K Road Race Fall – Open House/Fall Festival Fall – October Raffle Winter – Holiday Party Late Winter/Early Spring – Feline Affair Live & Silent Auction Spring – Meow Mixer

Media/PR: We seek volunteers who are excited to apply their real-world writing, media relations, marketing and promotions scenarios to our shelter. Duties may include writing PR materials or marketing copy including press releases, website copy, coordinating program books and specialty publications, managing PR archives and photo resources, coordinating guests for live radio broadcasts, preparing media kits, planning special events or promotions, working with other departments to improve communication efforts,

Volunteer Manual / Page 12 interacting with outside design vendors and members of the media, assisting with social media outreach efforts with possible opportunities for filming, interviewing and editing video, and collecting research and assisting the shelter with overall marketing and PR campaigns.

Writing/Videos/Graphics/Photos: The Ellen M. Gifford Cat Shelter is looking for a videographer(s) to help us tell our compelling stories! Your artistic skill and technological savvy will allow us to share our cats’, volunteers’, adopters’ personal experiences with the online community, thereby encouraging and inspiring other potential adopters, volunteers, and donors. We are looking for short videos to be posted online at YouTube, Facebook, the Gifford Cat Shelter website, and other outlets. Your creativity and compassion are needed to help continue our vital programs and spread the word! We ask that volunteers provide their own equipment

Graphic Design: We are seeking a Graphic Designer to ensure that our mission is reflected in our marketing material and is of high quality. Responsibilities would include designing art for event posters and programs as well as accompanying marketing pieces and communicating and collaborating with the Executive Director throughout the design process. Must have access to their own design program or software

Group Volunteer Days: If you are part of another organization or workplace or community group interested in volunteering, please contact the Shelter Manager to arrange for a group volunteer day.

*Please record all of your volunteer hours on the sign-in sheets found in each shelter building. It is very important to us to have an accurate accounting of the number of hours the volunteers contribute each year (it helps us with obtaining grants).

Simple Ways to Fundraise and Donate:

Amazon Smile – If you have an Amazon account, sign in to Amazon Smile with your usual Amazon password and select Ellen M. Gifford Sheltering Home Corp. as your charity to support. Amazon Smile will make a small donation for every purchase (the products are the same)

ResQwalk app – This app donates to the shelter for every mile that you walk. Just create an account, select Gifford to support, and activate the app whenever you go for a walk or run.

Volunteer Manual / Page 13 iGive.com – Shop through this site and the merchants will donate a percentage of your purchase to the shelter. Select Ellen Gifford Sheltering Home as your cause to support.

Amazon Wish List – We have an Amazon Wish List – from the Amazon home screen, use the Find a Wish List option (far right) and search Gifford Cat Shelter.

Please share these fundraising and donation tools with your friends and family!

GUIDELINES FOR INTERACTING WITH SHELTER CATS

Although you may have lots of experience in living with cats, interacting with them in a shelter can be different. Shelter cats are often stressed and/or frightened (especially when they first arrive) and need to be approached with caution. It may take a lot of patience and persistence to help the cats feel more comfortable and trusting in the shelter environment.

To approach a new cat (or a cat that you do not know):  Offer your fingers to sniff  If the cat rubs your hand, try gently stroking the side of the cat’s cheek  Do not place your hand above the cat to pet the top of the head – this may be perceived as a threatening gesture (especially if the cat has been abused in the past)  If the cat sniffs your fingers and pulls away, back off and try again later  If cat hisses or growls or shows any other sign of aggression, back away

If the cat is stressed or frightened:  Sit with the cat and speak or sing softly without touching or petting  During feeding, place the wet food plate close to the cat, then sit and speak softly to try to reassure the cat that it is safe to eat  Try to interest the cat in an interactive toy (Many cats will allow you to play with them before allowing you to pet them or pick them up)

Cat body language Relaxed and friendly:  Relaxed, droopy eyelids  Direct gaze  Tail held upright when walking  Purring or meowing

Fearful:  Pupils dilated  Ears turned sideways  Tail wrapped around body  Crouching posture  Drooling

Volunteer Manual / Page 14 Aggressive or defensive:  Pupils constricted (aggression)  Unblinking stare (dominance or defensive)  Ears flattened  Tail thumping (irritation)  Arched back (aggression)  Lying “belly up” (defensive – can use all 4 claws and teeth)  Hissing/growling (aggressive or defensive For volunteer safety:  Occasionally, cat tempers will flare and a “disagreement” will occur. Never try to separate fighting cats with your hands (or any other part of your body). A loud noise (hand clapping, foot stomping, and yelling “no”) may stop them. Try squirting them with water from a spray bottle. A broom can be used to gently separate them and direct one of them away from the other.

 Do not try to catch and pick up an aggressive or frightened cat. Give the cat space if possible. If you need to move the cat back into a run, get help from the shelter staff.

 If a cat hisses or growls at you, back away immediately.

 Some cats will scratch or bite when over stimulated – even during play. Be alert for signs of over stimulation when petting or playing (tail twitching, appearance of being overexcited). Do not absent mindedly pet a cat while doing something else - you will miss any subtle clues that the cat has “had enough”.

 If you accidentally get scratched or bitten, wash the area immediately and show it to the shelter staff. Keep the area clean and cover it if you think necessary. Although the cats have had their vaccinations, infection is still a possibility and can often be avoided through proper cleaning. Cat bites can be quite serious if infection occurs and is not properly treated. If the scratch or bite area becomes red and/ or swollen and worsens after 1 – 2 days, see your doctor - antibiotics will most likely be needed.

For cat safety:  Remove potentially harmful toys if cats will not be supervised (string toys, feathers, and toys with small removable parts are a choking hazard and could cause intestinal obstruction if swallowed).

 Check the security of windows and screens when leaving the shelter.

 Check that doors and runs are securely closed and latched/locked.

Volunteer Manual / Page 15  If certain cats are allowed out of runs “under supervision only”, return them to their run when leaving the shelter – check that the doors are securely latched and that the cat has adequate food and water.

 Be aware of any electrical cords or telephone cords – cats may chew them (report anything that appears potentially hazardous to the shelter staff).

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SOCIALIZATIONAND CAT PLAY TIME

It is important that all cats have as much interaction as possible with people and play opportunities with other cats while at the shelter.

Check with the Shelter Manager at the start of each shift to find out if:

• Certain cats are allowed to come out of their pens in the main shelter with supervision only and must return to their pens when you are leaving • Cats in the main shelter can go outdoors into the play yard • Cats in the upstairs area can “visit” each other. • Certain cats require more attention because they are frightened, stressed, not eating, etc. Toys: We receive many generous donations of toys; however, not all of them are safe for kittens/cats, especially if they are left our when the cats are not supervised. Please check with the Shelter Manager if you have any question or concern regarding the safety of any toy. All feather and string toys may only be used with supervision and must be put away when you are finished with play time. They are a choking hazard if cats attempt to swallow the feathers or get tangled in strings.

Remove any small parts that can be bitten off and swallowed (for example, noses on toy mice, bells, etc.) Swallowing any small object (including feathers) can lead to intestinal obstruction.

 Catnip toys can be given to adult cats, but not to kittens.  Toys should be washed if dirty or, if extremely soiled, thrown away  Each pen and each upstairs room should have several toys for the resident cats and kittens.

Volunteer Manual / Page 16  Put clean toys into pens/rooms that are being set up for new cats.  Please do not bring toys from one room or shelter area to another unless they are disinfected first. This helps to prevent spread of infection.

Treats:  Adult cats may have a few treats but remember that treats are high in calories and low in nutrition so they should be consumed sparingly!  Bags of Treats need to be sealed and placed in the kitchen area, away from the reach of cats. Grooming:  All cats should be groomed regularly, usually in the afternoon shift.  Clean and put away brushes after use.

“Shy Cat” Socialization:  There is a specific program for socialization of extremely shy cats (based on guidelines form the Best Friend Animal Society). Please follow the instructions on the white boards in each shelter area.  If this is a particular interest of yours, please let the Shelter Managers know so that you can receive specific training.

Feral Cat Colony:  Volunteers may visit the feral cat colony and provide interactive play for the resident cats  In some cases, these cats have become increasingly friendly and adoptable after a long time period of interacting with people  Please see a Shelter Manager for specific information about visiting the feral cats prior to entering their colony  Booties must be worn over your shoes while in the feral colony enclosure and removed when entering the shelter. This helps prevent spread of parasites (found in soil) and other illness.

Volunteer Manual / Page 17 DISEASE CONTROL & VOLUNTEER SAFETY

INCIDENT & BITE POLICY:  It is the policy of the Gifford Cat Shelter to provide and maintain a safe working environment for all employees and volunteers. The cooperation of each employee and volunteer is important in accomplishing this goal.  Employees and volunteers are encouraged to be aware of safety practices and procedures and to report any unsafe conditions to a Gifford supervisor or representative immediately. Employees and volunteers working with animals are required to always use proper handling and training techniques to ensure their safety.  Employees and volunteers must report all accidents, no matter how minor, immediately to their supervisor. Also, report all accidents that happen to customers, visitors or volunteers at Gifford events or that involve a Gifford animal.  If the injury requires treatment, employees or volunteers should contact their personal physician or medical facility.  All animal bites and scratches are considered an injury and must be reported. If treatment is required, necessary arrangements should be made. Please keep in mind we are required by Massachusetts Law to quarantine or make arrangements to hold any cat that has bitten (and broken the skin) of any person within the last ten (10) days for rabies observation. By definition quarantine applies any cat that has bitten and broken skin. Please be advised that quarantined animals need to have consistent observation and the place of quarantine shall be established by the local animal control authority.  Gifford representatives are responsible for assisting customers and volunteers in the event of a bite.  The procedure is as follows and must be completed in its entirety. 1. Administer First Aid (please note locations of first aid kits at Gifford events) or seek medical attention if necessary.

2. Complete an incident report (found in the shelter office) and forward to the Shelter Manager on duty that day. Completed forms should be filed with Gifford’s treasurer for a minimum of 5 years. We recommend seeking medical attention since cat bites/scratches can get infected.

3. Animal, regardless of rabies certificate, should be quarantined away from other animals and humans for 10 days.

4. If the animal is residing at the shelter, s/he should be kept separate from other cats and with a sign clearly indicating, “bite quarantine” on cage and held in our holding room.

Volunteer Manual / Page 18 General Precautions:  The Gifford Cat Shelter vaccinates each animal as they enter the shelter.  Non-vaccinated cats are held in our temporary holding room until they are able to be vaccinated.  We attempt to take every precaution to keep the staff, volunteers and animals safe while in our care.  One way to keep you and your pets safe is to keep your pets updated on their vaccines, as well.  Also, change your clothes after you have volunteered and before you handle your own pets. This is especially important if you have recently adopted a kitten/puppy, as they are more susceptible to disease and infection.

Handwashing:  Please be sure to sanitize your hands and wash them frequently in between handling cats and when moving to various rooms.  Please do not share cleaning supplies/toys between rooms.  If we have run out of products/supplies please alert a staff member opposed to sharing. Humans and the equipment we use are the largest transmitter of disease between cats.

SHELTER CLEANING

Please note: These are general instructions – more specifics will be provided by the shelter staff.

Dishwashing:  Pick up all dirty food and water bowls and bring them to the sink  Wash each bowl with hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly  Spray each bowl thoroughly with disinfectant (Trifectant) and let sit in the sink for 10 minutes. Trifectant should not come in contact with skin or with cat’s paws.  After 10 minutes, rinse each bowl thoroughly and place in drying rack to air dry  If drying bowls with a towel, please be sure they are completely dry before putting them back into the cabinet

Litter Boxes:  With Feline Pine, scoop solid waste material from each box daily and discard (urine will dissolve the pint pellets, turning them into sawdust)

Volunteer Manual / Page 19  If the litter has largely disintegrated into sawdust, discard the entire contents of the box (into a trash bag) and give the cat a clean box  If a box is obviously soiled, replace it with a clean box  Disinfect litter boxes with the same procedure as dishes (wash, rinse, spray with disinfectant, wait, rinse again)  Use only enough Feline Pine to cover the bottom of the box – large amounts are not needed  With other types of litter, scoop as needed; empty and replace soiled boxes  Used litter is discarded in the trash (dumpster) – please bag it and do not overload bags to avoid breakage

Bedding and Laundry:  Check all beds and bedding for soiling and replace if soiled  Remove any loose strings from bedding to prevent cat injury or choking  Place soiled beds and bedding in laundry  Wash bedding and other laundry as needed  Do not start laundry within one hour prior to shelter closing

Sweeping and Spot Cleaning:  Floors are swept daily and as needed – please move litter boxes and beds away from the walls to sweep behind them  Spot clean any areas on the floor that are soiled, using a paper towel and spray cleaner  Dustbusters are used for crevices, window sills, the bases of enclosures, and any other areas that cannot be easily swept or vacuumed  As soon as sweeping, spot cleaning and vacuuming are completed, please replace all items that have been removed from the floors (especially heavy items that might fall and injure cats)

Deep Cleaning:  Weekly deep cleaning is performed in each shelter area. You will receive instructions from the shelter staff if you are assisting with deep cleaning

Volunteer Manual / Page 20 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECIEPT AND READING OF VOLUNTEER MANUAL

Volunteer Name (please print):______

I have read this manual and asked questions on any area that was not clear. I agree to adhere to all volunteer policies and expectations as outlined in the Volunteer Manual.

______Volunteer signature

Volunteer Manual / Page 21 VOLUNTEER INFORMATION & AGREEMENT

Name______Age ______

Address______

City______State______Zip Code ______

Home OR Work Phone______Mobile Phone ______

Email Address______

Emergency Contacts:

Name ______Relationship______

Phone______

Name ______Relationship______

Phone______

I understand that the Ellen M. Gifford Sheltering Home Corp. (“Gifford”) may, but need not, accept my offer to serve as a volunteer at its shelter. If Gifford accepts my offer, then: (a) I fully understand that I will volunteer my time freely and without any compensation, benefits or insurance whatsoever; (b) I fully understand that animal scratches, bites and other injuries may occur; (c) I fully understand that if I am pregnant or may become pregnant, there is a risk to my fetus from toxoplasmosis in cat feces and I agree to inform the Gifford staff of any precautions that I need to take; and (d) in consideration of both Gifford’s acceptance of my offer to serve as a volunteer and other good and valuable consideration, I hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Gifford, its employees, directors, officers and agents from and against all damages, injuries, death, claims, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities of all types, whether known or unknown, which, in any way or to any extent, relate to or concern my services as a volunteer, whether at Gifford’s shelter or off-premises, to the fullest extent permitted by Massachusetts law. I also

Volunteer Manual / Page 22 understand that the Gifford shelter recommends that all volunteers receive a preventative rabies vaccine prior to encountering any shelter animals.

I also understand that after an initial orientation and training period, unless otherwise previously agreed upon, I am committing to volunteer for Gifford for a period of at least six months barring any exceptional circumstances.

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age. If I am under 18 years of age, I must have prior approval from a parent or guardian to volunteer at Gifford.

Volunteer Signature ______

Date ______

Parent Signature (if volunteer is under 18 years of age) ______

* If you previously volunteered at the Gifford Shelter, please tell us when and for how long ______

Volunteer Manual / Page 23 Workplace Culture Agreement

We are drawn to work and volunteer at Gifford Cat Shelter because of its mission dedicated to making the lives of cats better and free from suffering and cruelty. While we spend our lives together doing this work, we can choose to create a humane and healthy workplace for ourselves.

This cultural agreement exists between ______and the staff, animals and volunteers of the Gifford Cat Shelter.

We agree through action, thought and intent to:

Support a united Gifford Cat Shelter  Practice “we” thinking and speech  Seek to understand the different needs of all we work with  Practice responsibility for needs beyond our immediate job requirement  Participate in animal socialization

Practice collaboration, cooperation and coordination  Encourage inter- and intra-departmental collaboration  Give an individual about to be interrupted a chance to say if it’s a good time or not and schedule a later time if need be. Be respectful and don’t assume your crisis is their crisis

 Seek only solutions, not obstacles. All concerns communicated will be supplied with positives you see as well, and suggestions for solutions. Be aware we have no complaint department.

Embrace diversity and practice open-mindedness  Expect differences  Different is not wrong

 Look for the contribution that each person is trying to make to help the animals

 Seek commonalities within our differences

 Disagreements, as long as they are respectful, are not necessarily negative. “Fierce conversations” keep us dynamic and evolving.

Practice open, direct, prompt communications  Take a stand to stop gossip and complaining where it arises  Practice proactive listening and seek to understand

 Deliver and receive concerns, suggestions, and other communications responsibly

 Hear someone out before responding or jumping to conclusions, check your facts

 Take time to check for understanding before proceeding

Volunteer Manual / Page 24  Use phone or face-to-face meetings when topics merit such communications; emails and texts can be misinterpreted or impersonal

 Use the organization structure, keeping supervisors informed while respecting their resources

Deal with conflict responsibly  Agree to resolve outstanding conflict NOW  Recognize there is such a thing as POSITIVE conflict and it is actually valuable in the work place

 Be active in resolving conflict, not taking sides

 Deal with conflict directly – with the persons involved

 Do not escalate conflict by involving others not directly involved

 Show respect – keep your voice calm and your language clean and professional

 Opinions are subjective – respect other people’s right to their own perspectives

 Conflict resolution will take place in a private area, especially away from customers and volunteers

Promote Trust  Everyone must take responsibility in building trust, lend support to others in building trust, and be accountable for their own actions or inaction  Trust that everyone at the Gifford Cat Shelter is making decisions for the animals in good faith. If you have questions, you must check into it before making accusations or assumptions

Address Problems proactively and constructively  Treat complaints, suggestions and ideas with respect  Take responsibility to bring issues needing attention to someone who can take action on it. Complaining to complain-without seeking real solutions is counterproductive and takes valuable time away from the animals that need us most

 Think constructively, look for solutions

 Encourage people to work things out between themselves

 Give up the grudges or let grudges be a signal to you that you need to go talk with the person in question

Demonstrate respect  Respect decisions made  Respect the right to disagree and different opinions

 If you disagree, continue to communicate and present the organization or team opinion to despite your personal views.

 Extend compassion to your coworkers (and yourself!)

 Value each other regardless of job title, seniority, position or opinion

Acknowledge the emotional aspects of our work

Volunteer Manual / Page 25  Recognize the importance of having a sense of humor –lighten up  Identify healthy ways to reduce or release stress –ask for help if you need it

 Commit to a healthy lifestyle

 Find appropriate ways to express sadness, grief and anger

 Respect others’ response to emotions –help them find creative and appropriate outlets to express their feelings

 Keep things in perspective – help yourself and others maintain a positive outlook

 Have fun!!

Create and maintain a safe workplace  Commit to following safety procedures even when you’re in a hurry  Know your limitations and seek out others to help when needed

 Bring safety concerns to the attention of your supervisor or someone on the safety committee

Show Appreciation  Take time to remember why we have chosen to work here  Practice appreciation at all levels of the organization

 Acknowledge people across the organization when they are doing great work!

Deliver world-class customer service  We define quality service as exceeding expectations of human and animal clients, efficiency and timeliness.

 Creating an animal welfare experience which transforms and educate all those we meet without judgment.

______Signature Date

Volunteer Manual / Page 26