Kern County
Animal Services
Volunteer Manual
2014-2015
SHYANNE SCHULL
DIRECTOR
3951 Fruitvale Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93308
(661) 868-7100
Welcome
Dear Volunteer,
Welcome to the Kern County Animal Services’ Volunteer Program.
Thank you for making the decision to volunteer your time and skills to the very important work of our shelter and the animals. On behalf of the Director Shyanne Schull and the shelter staff, we thank you for making this decision to volunteer with us and welcome you to our Department.
This handbook will familiarize you with the policies, procedures and information regarding service with Kern County Animal Services. Its purpose is to give you the guidelines to follow during your time while volunteering. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
All new volunteers are required to attend a volunteer orientation where you will learn about the shelter and the services we provide and, where your skills and assistance will be beneficial to the shelter.
On behalf of the Department, the staff and especially the animals, we thank you for taking the time to volunteer with our organization!
Sincerely,
KCAS Staff
Contact Information & Business Hours
Address
Bakersfield Shelter Mojave Shelter
3951 Fruitvale Ave. 923 Poole Street, Mojave Airport
Bakersfield, CA 93308 Mojave, CA 93501
661-868-7100 661-824-1030
www.co.kern.ca.us/acd
www.co.kern.ca.us/acd
Lake Isabella Shelter
14891 Highway 178
Lake Isabella, CA 93240
760-378-1131
Licensing, Redemption & Stray Intake Hours - Bakersfield
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10 am – 4 pm
Wednesday 12 pm – 7 pm
Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
Licensing, Redemption & Stray Intake Hours - Mojave
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
Closed for lunch 12 pm – 1 pm
Licensing, Redemption & Stray Intake Hours – Lake Isabella
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
Administration - Bakersfield
Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm
Kennel Visitation & Adoption Hours - Bakersfield
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10 am – 4 pm
Wednesday 2 pm – 7 pm
Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
Kennel Visitation & Adoption Hours – Mojave
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
Closed for lunch 12 pm – 1 pm
Kennel Visitation & Adoption Hours – Lake Isabella
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
Contact Information & Business Hours (cont.)
Volunteer Office
Jeff George, Volunteer Coordinator
661-868-7130
Other Important Contacts
Shyanne Schull, Director
661-868-7110
Nick Cullen, Shelter Supervisor
661-868-7132
Maggie Kalar, Public Information Officer
661-868-7104
COUNTY OF KERN
ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
The Vision of Kern County Animal Services is that all County citizens are safe from the threat of dangerous & unhealthy animals and that all animals receive humane treatment in a caring environment.
The Mission of Kern County Animal Services is to:
· Protect and care for the citizens and animals of Kern County;
· Promote humane, safe and sane treatment of animals through public education, awareness and enforcement of animals regulations;
· Provide humane care to the animals in our facilities; and
· Encourage the adoption of the community’s homeless animals and endeavor to reunite lost animals with their owners.
Incredibly, there are an estimated 70,000 dogs living in Kern County yet only about 25,000 of them are licensed. Licensing is the first step in assuring the health and safety of your dog and thousands of others because:
1. If your dog gets lost, a license on your pet’s collar is the fastest way to reunite you with your dog. Unlike a microchip, a license tag is immediately visible and doesn’t require a scanning device to read it.
2. A license indicates that your dog has received a rabies vaccination. A rabies vaccination is required by California State law and Kern County ordinance.
3. Licensing your dog shows that you are responsible dog caregiver. When you walk your dog or let your dog run in designated areas, people will notice the license on your dog’s collar and know that you’re concerned about your dog’s welfare.
4. Dog licenses and license renewal fees are primary sources of revenue for Kern County Animal Services, enabling the Department to provide necessary services to all the citizens of Kern County. A sample of services includes finding new homes for unclaimed or surrendered pets; protecting animals from abuse and neglect; keeping neighborhoods safe from aggressive dogs; providing animal care and safety information to the community. Kern County Animal Services Officers respond to an average of 26,000 calls and the shelter housed over 32,000 misplaced animals in 2009.
5. It is the law. Living in Kern County brings many lifestyle advantages and rewards, but it also carriers some responsibilities. Among these is the payment of fees for municipal services. Responsible citizens get their dogs licensed.
Purchase a license at the time of the rabies vaccination from one of our low-cost vaccination clinics. You can also log onto www.co.kern.ca.us/acd/ to view and download a flyer.
If your dog has been vaccinated for rabies, please apply for a dog license. Your county and your pet are depending on you. A license is your pet’s ticket home!
Volunteer Program Policies & Guidelines
Kern County Animal Services (KCAS) relies on its volunteers to be dependable and effective during their volunteer time with the Department. By meeting these commitments, the program operates smoothly and the maximum benefit is derived for the animals and volunteers.
Goals of the Volunteer Program:
· To provide orientation and training to volunteers to ensure that each volunteer has adequate knowledge and skills for a positive experience for both the animals and volunteers alike.
· To provide volunteers a means to support KCAS and the animals in our care in the way volunteer feels most comfortable, through direct services (kennel maintenance, exercising dogs, and socializing cats) or indirect services (clerical work, canvassing, etc.).
· To increase community and individual awareness of animal issues, such as over-population and responsible pet ownership, by forming and maintaining a large group of volunteers committed to the common goals of KCAS.
· To assist in creating a positive attitude and change in public perception regarding the need for regular pet vaccinations, the spaying and neutering of pets, and licensing through education, service and public relations.
· To be an advocate for the animals; be their voice and help them find forever homes.
What Volunteers Can Expect From the Program:
· To attend a volunteer orientation and training for the shelter prior to volunteering with the shelter.
· Be treated fairly, with consideration and respect by the employees of KCAS and to be appreciated and thanked for their volunteer work.
· To have the opportunity to share ideas, thoughts and program suggestions with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Basic Rules for Volunteering at KCAS:
· Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
· Volunteers must complete an application and attend the volunteer orientation prior to beginning any volunteer service.
· Volunteers should be able to commit to a minimum of 8 hours of service per month for the shelter.
· Volunteers will be asked to attend any supplemental and advanced training as required.
· Volunteers will be responsible to notify the Volunteer Coordinator if you cannot make your scheduled shift.
· Volunteers will not be allowed to enter Kennels B or C for any reason.
· Volunteers will NEVER be asked to handle dangerous or potentially dangerous animals.
· Volunteers are expected to report any medical issues that you may notice in an animal to the staff.
· Volunteers should take pride in the work that they complete as they are helping to save lives.
Time Commitment and Attendance:
KCAS’ volunteer program requires volunteers to participate in a minimum of eight hours of service a month to be considered active. All hours worked must be recorded in the volunteer sign-in book that is located at the Volunteer Coordinator’s desk. In the event of service time completed at an offsite event, a sign-in sheet will be provided for sign-in purposes. A volunteer’s schedule dictates the hours that volunteers will be assigned. If a volunteer needs to make a change to the schedule, they are asked to notify the Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible.
Scheduling:
The Volunteer Coordinator will process and send out BY EMAIL, a schedule twice-a- week. The first draft is typically sent out on Fridays so that a final draft will be re-sent BY EMAIL on Saturday. If a volunteer does not have an email address they will need to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Recording Service Hours:
The volunteer sign-in book location is on the Volunteer Coordinator’s desk. Sign-in with date, name, time-in, time-out, if you’re a volunteer (over 18) or as a student (under 18) and your position.
Dress Code:
Due to the nature of our business, we must enforce a strict dress code policy for safety reasons. Upon a volunteer’s first shift with KCAS, volunteers will be issued one (1) volunteer t-shirt. Volunteers’ photos were taken at the orientation and a name badge will be issued using this photo. Volunteers must wear their t-shirt and name badge while volunteering at the shelter, offsite adoption events and vaccination clinics.
Parking:
Volunteers are allowed to park beyond the gate that is located on the north side of the building. Volunteers are asked to please ensure that vehicles are not blocking any garage opening or door opening. Volunteers should not be parking in a handicap parking spot unless in possession of a current handicap placard or license plate.
Vaccination Policy:
All volunteers are strongly encouraged to have a current Tetanus vaccination on file for their safety. A form is included in this package.
Conflicts of Interest:
Conflicts of interest and personalities may clash between staff and volunteers on occasion. Volunteers are asked to inform the Volunteer Coordinator of any issues that arise so that issues, problems or concerns can be addressed immediately.
Volunteers are prohibited from engaging in religious or political activities while acting on behalf of or as a representative of KCAS.
If a volunteer disagrees with KCAS and its philosophy, policies, procedures, past, proposed or existing state of affairs, the volunteer is expected to privately discuss these issues with the Volunteer Coordinator.
It is expected that the volunteer not disclose differences in the above matters, with any other volunteers, staff, clients, public, family or friends as it may undermine the internal process of KCAS. When an issue is presented, appropriate steps will be taken to address the issue.
We expect our volunteers to maintain a positive attitude and relationships with other volunteer members, staff, clients and, members of the public.
Volunteer Disciplinary Policy:
Volunteers serve at the pleasure of the Department and can be excused at any time. Certain situations are highlighted below and will not be tolerated:
· Drug and alcohol use during volunteering hours
· Causing physical harm to others (employees, volunteers or the public)
· Physical abuse to animals
· Theft
· Exhibiting violence or threatening behaviors to others (employees, volunteers or the public)
Smoking Policy:
For the health and safety of the animals, staff and public, KCAS is a smoke free facility. Smoking is allowed in the smoking designated area (horse shoe). This area is located between the A & B kennels on the south side of the property. Volunteers are expected to dispose of all cigarette butts in the designated waste receptacles.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse:
Possessing, dispensing, or using alcohol or a controlled substance without a medical prescription during volunteer hours is strictly prohibited. This includes reporting to your scheduled volunteer shift while intoxicated. Any volunteer will be subject to immediate dismissal.
Lunches, Breaks and Areas:
Lunches and breaks are treated similar to California Labor Laws. Since many of the shifts will not constitute for a break, KCAS expects volunteers, especially during the summer months, to take water breaks to keep hydrated and cool, no matter how long a volunteer’s shift is scheduled. If a volunteer’s shift is at least four (4) hours and does not exceed five hours (5), volunteers are expected to take a 15 minute break. If a volunteer’s shift is more than five hours (5), volunteers are expected to take a 30 minute lunch break. The horse shoe area which is deemed the area for smokers is an area where breaks and or lunch can be spent. The shelter also has a lunchroom in the administration trailer that has a refrigerator and microwave available for volunteer use along with a several vending machines.
Storage of Personal Items:
It is advised that volunteers’ leave any personal items in their vehicle or volunteers may bring a lock and store the items in a locker that is available to volunteers.
Cell Phone Use:
As a volunteer’s time is limited, KCAS asks that volunteers keep cell phone use to a minimum. Volunteer are asked to use their cell phones for emergency purposes and while volunteering with KCAS, to stay focused on the task at hand.
Complaints and Grievances:
A grievance is any problem resulting from a work requirement or the conditions in which the work is being performed. If a conflict arises, volunteers are asked to please first notify the Volunteer Coordinator and, if the situation is not resolved, please ask to speak with the Director.
Harassment:
KCAS believes that each individual associated with us has the right to be free of harassment because of age, color, creed, national origin or sex; therefore, KCAS will not tolerate any form of harassment.