2015
Edition
VolunteerManual
Bianca Bunners
Adoption Ambassador
2015 Edition
1
Welcome to Helping Hands Pet Rescue!..................................................3
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Welcome and Thank You!
About Helping Hands
What does Helping Hands do?
Volunteering at Helping Hands Pet Rescue…….......…………………...6
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What can you do at Helping Hands Pet Rescue?
Process to Volunteer at Helping Hands
Scheduling Your Service………………………………………………..7
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You Must Communicate
Closing Time
Log Your Volunteer Service Hours
Missing Shifts
Contact Information
Code of Conduct…………………...……………………………………8
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Respectful Behavior
Non-Helping Hands/Pets
Privacy Policy & Conveying Correct Information
Dress Code
Fosters
Parking/Directions
Smoking
Drugs and Alcohol
Cell Phones
Animal Care
Injuries
Complaints
Discipline
Volunteer Term
Working with Helping Hands…………………………...……………..12
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Media Relations
Euthanasia
Disease Control
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Community Groups & Events………………………...…..……………13
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Ad Hoc Activities & Events
Volunteer Groups or Organizations
Volunteer Training………………………………….....…...…………..14
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Adoption Event Set-up
Adoption Event Break-down
Dog Care
Cat Care
Adoption Counselor
Puppy Patrol
Transport Services
Volunteer Jobs……………………………………………………...….15
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Adoption Counselor
Dog/Cat Care, Dog Walking
Event Set-Up/Break-Down
Puppy Patrol
Community Support…………………….……………………………..20
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Donations
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Welcome to Helping Hands Pet Rescue! As a volunteer, your role is a very important part of our
organization. You may not realize the difference your time and volunteering make. Not only
does your volunteer work help the dogs and cats of Helping Hands find loving and forever
homes, you also have a hand in the interactions with the adopters and being a pillar in the
community. It’s rewarding to see the happiness in the eyes of a child or the happy wag of a tail,
as perfect matches are formed.
Every small interaction that you have, whether it be walking a dog, assisting a family with
finding a specific type of dog, or helping by fostering a dog or cat, you are important to helping
our organization run smoothly. Our fostering program helps dogs and cats exhibit socialization
skills, and many volunteers are involved in this. This is a great way of letting the animals
improve interactions with humans, so records can be kept and displayed at adoption events.
Thank You for Your Help!
Thank you for giving us your time and for helping animals to find their forever homes. We
appreciate your commitment to helping us to help cats and dogs get a second chance. An
individual’s reason for coming to dedicate their time may be unique, but many have reasons in
common:
→ Your wish to help find homes for animals that deserve a second chance
→ You want to be a part of making our community more responsible for our pets
→ You want to help save lives
One of our goals is to empty out shelters and help save animals on the euthanasia lists. Another
is to help the animals we rescue find a safe and loving forever homes. The time and energy you
contribute by volunteering helps us achieve these goals.
Since your support as a volunteer is extremely important, your decision to participate must be
made with the full understanding of the commitment and responsibility it demands. This
handbook has been prepared for you as a reference guide. It contains information regarding our
policies & procedures, tools for dealing with the public, and how to safely handle shelter
animals. Please read it carefully so you will be well equipped to answer questions
knowledgeably and to provide quality care to the animals.
Thank you for giving your time and energy to Helping Hands Pet Rescue! We hope the time you
spend here will be beneficial and rewarding to you, as well as the animals you will be helping.
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Helping Hands Pet Rescue is a 501C3 non-profit pet rescue dedicated to saving the lives of
shelter dogs and cats. All adoptable animals are available for viewing at PetSmart on select
weekends, or by appointment. While we do not have a shelter where people can come and view
our dogs and cats, we make sure to try and work with people who are interested in adopting an
animal. We have built a wonderful team that stewards our mission of professionalism,
compassion, responsibility, commitment, integrity, and accountability. We work closely with
Alachua County Animal Services and several rural animal shelters.
Helping Hands is dedicated to pet adoptions.
In addition to housing and providing
veterinary care to all animals brought to the
rescue, we work diligently to place these
animals in forever homes. Through our
website and social media sites, we work hard
to have a wide adoption pool. We also offer
a pet fostering program along with hands-on
volunteer training.
We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership through spaying/neutering, microchipping, and vaccinations. Our mission is to save the lives of and rehome unwanted companion
animals while promoting spay/neuter and responsible pet ownership.
Helping Hands was formed in 2000 by a team of veterinary technicians and a few wonderfully
supportive veterinarians. Initially, we were completely based out of an animal hospital that
focused on greyhounds and puppy mill dogs. In 2001, we joined with 4 other local adoption
agencies as part of the Alachua County Maddie’s Fund Partners. Named after their beloved pet,
Maddie’s Fund was created by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to help save homeless pets in desperate
need of love and care. Shelter pets are given new opportunities to find compassionate homes in
which they will receive love, joy, and companionship.
Our goal has been to reduce the number of healthy, savable cats and dogs that are euthanized at
Animal Services facilities. It is also our desire to help minimize fear, pain, stress, and suffering
to animals, both in our care and outside our care. The majority of our intakes are acquired
directly from the euthanasia list from Alachua County Animal Services, as well as the small rural
kill shelters in surrounding counties. We take a limited number of intakes from the public. We’ve
grown from an organization that had approximately 20 adoptions in 2000 to an organization that
completed 984 adoptions in 2014 and reunited 4 other animals with their rightful owners.
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Placement of Pets through Adoption and Rescue Groups
→ We make dogs and cats available for adoption every weekend, unless specified on
Facebook, at the local PetSmart located on Archer Road in Gainesville.
→ Our adoption fees vary for each cat and dog. If you contact us through social media or the
e-mail address listed on our website, we will happily talk to you about our adoptable dogs
and cats.
Lost and Found
→ People who have lost pets should be encouraged to contact Helping Hands, if the lost pet
was adopted from us.
→ If the Helping Hands staff members, or volunteers, locate any stray animal with an ID tag
or microchip, Helping Hands will attempt to contact the owner, or contact the agency that
issued the rabies tag, in order to return the pet to its rightful home.
Pet Licensing – the Law in Alachua County
→ It is required that all dogs and cats living in Alachua County have a license tag and must
wear them at all times. New residents have 30 days from the date they move in to
purchase a license tag. If you are a seasonal resident or student and you reside in
Alachua County for more than 30 days consecutively or more than 6 months out of the
year, you are required to have a license tag.
→ Annual Cost
$20 for sterilized dogs
$10 for sterilized cats
Rabies Prevention
→ All untreated animal bites should be reported to the Environmental Health Section of the
Department of Health at: 352-334-7930. Investigating all untreated animal bites prevents
the transmission of rabies to humans.
Animal Cruelty
→ Citizens must report known acts of cruelty or neglect. Cruelty to an animal is often the
training grounds for child abuse or domestic cruelty. The basic needs of an animal require
that they have access to food, water, shelter, and exercise. Please report abuse to:
Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6870
Owner Surrender
→ Some owners cannot, or chose not to, fulfill the commitment of ownership to animals
brought into their homes. We try to offer alternatives to surrendering, if possible.
→ If owners choose to surrender the animal to us, we will make every attempt to take it back
in to our rescue and offer the pet another chance at a forever home.
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What can you do for Helping Hands Pet Rescue?
On the following pages, you will see a variety of job descriptions. Review the choices and then
contact our Volunteer Coordinator who will help you decide where you are most needed, based
on your background and your interests.
We are looking for committed volunteers who can participate in Helping Hands activities at least
once a month, if possible. While this is not required, reliable participation helps the animals at
Helping Hands and helps the volunteer stay connected with the team and current with the
happenings of the Helping Hands team.
Any donation of time is helpful. We understand if your schedule prohibits you from volunteering
at regularly scheduled times. There are many other ways you can volunteer, such as on special
adoption weekends or by making donations. Be sure to keep up with our main Facebook page,
as wells as our Volunteer Facebook page for upcoming events. Opportunities to get involved and
stay connected with the Helping Hands team are always available.
Process to Volunteer at Helping Hands
1. Go to our website, www.hhrescue.net, where you will find our volunteer form. Fill out
the form to begin your volunteering opportunity. Your next step on the road to
volunteering with us is to send the completed for via e-mail to:
[email protected]. This will allow you to get more information about
volunteer opportunities and additional information on how to get involved.
2. Sign up for Volunteer Orientation. All volunteers should attend a volunteer orientation
session to learn the basics of the positions of interest indicated on the volunteer form. The
orientation will be brief, but very informative. Volunteer Orientation will last
approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of each event at PetSmart, normally starting at
10:30 a.m. Volunteers should wear close-toed shoes and pants, if they are concerned
about possibly being scratched by overly excited dogs.
3. Sign up for volunteer activities. Assignments for a variety of volunteer duties are posted
on the Volunteer Facebook page at about the middle of the week. Once posted, you can
choose the position you feel most comfortable with. You will then post what you would
like to do and the hours you can work. Since you attend orientation the day of the event,
you don’t have to worry about trying to train before the weekly post. Also, after you have
attended training you are not required to attend additional sessions, unless you want to.
Feel free to expand on any positions you would like to do.
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You Must Communicate
Volunteer accountability and communication is vital to the overall success of Helping Hands. To
ensure coverage of volunteer activities, all volunteers must join our Helping Hands Pet Rescue
Volunteer group at www.facebook.com/groups/HelpingHandsPetRescue/. Each week there will
be a post for that week’s adoption event. Feel free to comment relating the times you can work, if
you can work, or if you cannot work. Also, don’t be upset if you indicate you cannot work, and
then later find you are free. Helping Hands will welcome you. Feel free to stop by PetSmart to
work. Simply let one of the adoption counselors know how long you can stay. Remember,
communication is the key to a successful relationship with Helping Hands.
Closing Time
Every weekend, our adoption event ends at 5:00 pm. At the end of the day, we break-down, stack
the crates together, load the dogs into the trailer, and put away the tables and chairs. This part of
the event is very hectic. Therefore, we can always use extra volunteers to help during this time to
expedite the break-down process.
Logging your hours
This section relates to those who are working to meet a required number of volunteer hours or
those recording the number of hours they worked for a class or organization. Logging time is
also important for community support and program development as well as volunteer
appreciation. Attached is a volunteer log template you can use to keep track of your hours. It is a
document so you can type directly on. Helping_Hands_Volunteer_Log.docx
Missing Shifts
Your support matters—both the animals and the Helping Hands team are counting you. If you
sign-up for a position, be sure to come to work. Notify us on the Facebook page if you cannot
make it, or if you will be late. We depend on our volunteers to be dependable and punctual.
When two or more are no-shows, it negatively affects the organization’s success.
Contact Information
It is very important to keep your contact information up-to-date at all times. Please notify us on
Facebook, or e-mail of changes in address, phone number, emergency contact, or email address
in a timely manner.
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Respectful Behavior
As a member of the Helping Hands team, you are a representative of the Helping Hand’s brand
and image. Therefore, you are expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner. You must
be respectful and courteous in your interactions with the public and team. Disrespectful or
unprofessional behavior, sexual harassment, disparaging remarks, threats, discrimination or
vulgar language will not be tolerated and you may be asked to cease your volunteer work as a
result of such conduct. This code of conduct applies to online and/or written material, as well as
personal interactions with Board members, volunteers, and members of the public. The basic
principal is to commit to providing excellent customer service to our visitors and fellow
volunteers.
Non-Helping Hands Guests/Pets
It is not appropriate to bring children who are not registered Helping Hands volunteers or your
own pets to the adoption events while you are performing volunteer activities. All Helping
Hands volunteers need to be registered, complete the volunteer orientation, sign the appropriate
volunteer agreements, and have permission to attend the events. Volunteers with unapproved
guests or pets will be asked to leave and return without the pet or guest. If you find you are
unable to perform your duty because of complying with the no guest/no pet rule, or any other
distraction, please let us know through Facebook or on-site. We will make arrangements.
Privacy Policy & Conveying Correct Information
Information pertaining to Helping Hands records, or relating to specific cases surrounding
Helping Hands are strictly confidential and may not be discussed with others. Please refrain from
offering potential adopters with information on fees and policies unless you are certain you have
current and accurate information. When in doubt, always refer the adopter to a Helping Hands
team member. Volunteers are not to disclose confidential information (personal information,
financial, etc.) of shelter customers or of volunteers/Board Directors. Only Helping Hands
approved signage and messaging are allowed on the premises during an event. Do not write notes
or messages on the crate cards, on paper signs, or affix any other signs or messages without prior
approval from the Executive Director, Volunteer Coordinator or Cat Coordinator.
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Dress Code
Come prepared with the mindset that anything you wear will get dirty. When working with
animals, it is advised to cover as much skin as possible to avoid scratches, exposure to zoonotic
communicable illness, ringworm, mange, fleas and/or ticks. This is entirely optional, however, so
feel free to wear shorts. As a Helping Hands volunteer, you are required to wear the following
during each adoption event for Helping Hands:
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Helping Hands Volunteer badge – this will be available when you arrive at the adoption
event at PetSmart. Once you complete the volunteer orientation, pick up a name tag from
the table and write your name on it. While not everyone has to wear a Helping Hands tshirt, it would be appropriate to wear pants, if desired, close-toed shoes, and a
comfortable shirt.
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Helping Hands volunteer shirt-- If you wish to buy one, ask one of the Helping Hands
team members and they can help you order one. When dressing for work please wear
something comfortable and appropriate. When talking with potential adopters you are a
reflection of our organization. It is helpful when you wear a Helping Hands shirt so that
you appear consistently recognizable to the public.
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Long pants are not required but recommended – jeans, khakis, other long pants, or shorts
are acceptable. Please do not wear skorts, skirts, or dresses. If you are worried about
potential scrapes or scratches, then we recommend you wear pants that are comfortable.
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Comfortable close-toed shoes – no sandals or flip flops please.
Fosters
Fosters are considered volunteers and should put on a volunteer badge if they stay during the
adoption event. It is their responsibility to arrive at each adoption event in a timely manner so
that the animal they are fostering has the best chance possible of getting adopted. If fosters will
be late, or cannot make it to the weekly event, they should notify Helping Hands on the
Facebook page, by phone, or directly with a volunteer coordinator.
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Parking/Directions
Weekend events are located at the Gainesville, FL, PetSmart at 3736 SW Archer Road in Butler
Plaza. Enter through the front entrance to volunteer. You may park in the PetSmart parking lot.
When you enter PetSmart, proceed past the reptiles and birds and when you reach the pet
training area, turn left. We are located right behind the training area. Let them know you are
there to work, pick up a name tag, and sign-in.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in the building and at our adoption events. Volunteers who wish to smoke
must do so in a smoking zone. Ask a PetSmart employee to locate designated smoking areas.
While working as a Helping Hands volunteer, you may not smoke except when on breaks and
out of public view.
Drugs and Alcohol
Under no circumstances will a volunteer work at our event under the influence of drugs or
alcohol. If suspected of being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, you will be asked to
leave immediately and will be subject to termination from the Helping Hands Volunteer
Program.
Cell Phones
While you are at one of our events, we want you to keep your focus on the animals in your care,
as well as the potential adopters who may need assistance. Helping Hands would prefer that you
refrain from using your cell phone or mobile device to avoid the possibility of creating unsafe
situations. To keep your phone from being damaged by active pets, we suggest you keep it in
your pocket or in a purse behind the counseling table in the wood cabinet. Cell phone use while
handling an animal is strictly prohibited and volunteers should refrain from using their phones
while interacting with Helping Hands customers. If it is necessary for you to have your cell
phone with you while volunteering, set the ringer to vibrate or silent, and use your cell phone in
non-working areas only. Ear buds, headsets, and headphones shall not be used at any time while
volunteering with Helping Hands.
Animal Care
It is expected that helping Hands Volunteers will treat all animals in the shelter’s care with
compassion and gentleness. Ask for assistance from one of Helping Hands Volunteer Lead when
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needed, and use caution at all times. When handling and animal, volunteers must always have the
appropriate crate card visible for that animal. Do not write messages on crate cards – notify the
Helping Hands Volunteer Lead of any observations or information you feel may need to be noted
for an animal. Volunteers are not to diagnose medical cases, remove sick animals from the
shelter without permission from the director, or take and animals from the event without proper
documentation and/or approval from the Executive Director or Cat Coordinator. Any volunteer
doing so will be subjected to dismissal.
Injuries
You are responsible for your own health and welfare, so be sure to mind all signs and safety
precautions. If you are injured while at a Helping Hands event, you must notify one of the
volunteer team members on duty immediately.
Complaints
Your point of contact regarding volunteering, or during activities, is the volunteer lead or
counselor at the event. Bring your concerns and questions to them first. If you have a complaint
regarding a team member or any issue with Helping Hands policy, immediately bring it to the
attention of the volunteer lead at the event so it can be resolved. If you are not satisfied with the
resolution, you may take your complaint to the director of Helping Hands.
If you have difficulties working with other volunteers or team members, bring the situation to the
attention of the volunteer lead or counselor working the event as soon as possible. We want to
resolve issues so that we can all work effectively as a team. Immediately report anything you
interpret as harassment from a volunteer or the public to the volunteer lead or director. Helping
Hands wants to ensure your safety and the safety of all volunteers.
Discipline
Volunteers who commit minor violations of policy and procedure will be verbally counseled in
an effort to achieve acceptable compliance. Such violations could include disruptive behavior,
habitual absenteeism, misstatement of Helping Hands policies, etc. Continued violations could
result in additional counseling or dismissal.
Volunteer Term
Both you and Helping Hands, at any time, are free with or without notice or cause, to end the
volunteer relationship. Dismissed volunteers are not permitted to work unless first contacted by
the Director or Board and then under a supervisory period.
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Media Relations
Volunteers are specifically prohibited from speaking on behalf of Helping Hands Pet Rescue to
any representative of the media. You are more than welcome to attend rallies in support of
causes you believe in. However, please do not wear a Helping Hands volunteer shirt to these
events.
Euthanasia
Helping Hands is a no-kill organization, with the exception of the pet being completely
untreatable or if the case of unhealthy animals that come into our hands. We hope that more
animals will be adopted so we can reduce the amount of animals at Alachua County Animal
Services and surrounding open intake shelters. We also hope that through spay/neuter efforts and
human education there will be far fewer cats and dogs needing homes.
Disease Control
Helping Hands Pet Rescue is responsible to ensuring public safety including rabies control and
other zoonotic disease containment. As a volunteer at Helping Hands, you must be sure to wash
your hands, or use hand sanitizer, frequently as well as clean all animal handling equipment
thoroughly to prevent the spread of disease in the shelter.
If you are bitten or scratched, you should report it immediately to the Adoption Counselor or
Volunteer Lead. Be sure, if you report it, to have the identity of the animal ready. You are
responsible for your own personal health and are advised to seek medical treatment from a
doctor if the bite or scratch is serious.
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Ad Hoc Activities & Events
Helping Hands schedules and plans events that may coincide with their events, or happen
completely separate from the normal weekend event. As such, Helping Hands Pet Rescue has
established protocols, procedures, branding standards, and assigned resources. Event proposals
should be submitted to the Helping Hands director or one of the Helping Hands Board of
Directors through the Facebook page or through the e-mail found on our website. We also hold
full weekend events 4 times a year. These events cover both Saturday and Sunday and are very
rewarding.
Volunteer Groups or Organizations
Any group or organization wishing to sponsor or provide group volunteers must contact us to
make arrangements. Groups will not be allowed to assemble at events or promote their business,
cause, or messaging without prior approval from Helping Hands Board and/or Director. They
will need to fill out the volunteer forms and attend orientation on the weekend they wish to
volunteer. Be sure to contact us after you have your volunteer forms filled out so we know the
approximate number of people to expect so that each person has a job and position to work.
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Class
Adoption Event Set-up
Adoption Event Breakdown
Dog Care
Cat Care
Adoption Counselor
Puppy Patrol
Transport Services
Description
Set up of crates and adoption area at
PetSmart. Generally takes place every
Friday late afternoon. Must be reliable.
Generally takes about 1-2 hours.
Break down of crates and clean-up of
adoption area of PetSmart. This happens
either Saturday at 7 PM or Sunday at 4:30
PM.
Works during the events. Walks the dogs
and helps anyone who wishes to see a
particular animal. Also talk with the
adopters and answer any questions.
In charge of watching the cats and
helping potential adopters with any
question they may have. Also, will handle
the cats if someone would like to see
them.
Work behind the tables, helping adopters
finalize and answer any questions they
may have before they leave with the
animal. They also look over each
application before starting the actual
adoption process.
In charge of the litters of puppies that are
at the event. Must make sure that the
customers use hand sanitizer before they
pet the puppies and in between litters of
puppies.
Transport of animals from Alachua
County Animal Services to either the
University of Florida College of
Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, FL or
to our kennel facility on Micanopy, FL.
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Schedule
Training that takes place on Friday
afternoon, see our Facebook for the
specific time to be there and plan to
arrive early.
Training happens at the event, either
before or after your first adoption
event you attend.
Training happens before your first
adoption event between 10:30 AM
and 11:00 AM.
Training happens before your first
adoption event between 10:30 AM
and 11:00 AM.
Special training that will take place
outside the event. Send an e-mail to:
[email protected]
Training happens before your first
adoption event between 10:30 AM
and 11:00 AM.
Special training, contact us through
our Facebook and keep in touch with
our group so you can see any post
about needing transport.
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Adoptions at Helping Hands
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Adoption Counselor
Set-up and Break-down
Animal Behavior
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Dog Care
Cat Care
Foster Home
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Foster Home Parent
On-Site Adoption Events
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Ad Hoc Events
Animal Care
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Dog Walking
Puppy Patrol
Various
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Transport Services
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Major Objective: To assist potential adopters with their applications and discuss the
specifics of the animal they wish to adopt.
Key Responsibilities
v Read over each application presented by potential adopters and flag any information that
may need to be questioned further. This ensures the animal is going to a loving and
caring home.
v Provide excellent personal interactions with potential adopters, so that they have a
wonderful experience to share with other potential adopters.
v Discuss the medical record with the potential adopter regarding the animal they are
interested in. Include the microchip and vaccine record.
v Go over the responsibilities they have as a pet owner, answer any questions they may
have, and require the adopter to sign the terms and agreement form.
v Inform them that all dogs must leave on a leash and collar, and all cats must leave in
some type of carrier.
v Positively represent the Helping Hand’s policies and philosophies.
Qualifications
v Volunteers must maintain positive and professional attitudes with adopters.
v Volunteers must have attended the Volunteer Orientation for being a counselor.
v Volunteers should wear close-toed shoes and, if they wish, pants.
Training
v The training for this position is separate from other positions, as it requires more training
and practice.
v See our Facebook page, or contact us through our email, if you are interested in training
for this position.
Commitment
v Adoptions occur every weekend from 11 AM to 5 PM. While you do not need to be
present the entire time, it is recommended that when sign-up is available on the Facebook
page during the week, you specify what times you are available to be the adoption
counselor. This way we can cover all shifts with the appropriate number of volunteers to
keep the adoptions moving forward smoothly.
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Major Objective: As the events can be very tiring on the dogs that are waiting to find their
forever homes, they will need some exercise and excitement to keep them healthy and happy. As
a volunteer, you can provide them with playful companionship through walking and playing.
Key Responsibilities
v Safely provide the animals in your care with a relaxing but playful experience.
v Help ensure that all the animals at the adoption event have the opportunity to enjoy time
outside.
v Assist with the movement of animals in and out of their cages, so that adopters have the
opportunity to interact with the animals.
v Help adopters with any questions they may have, regarding both the pets and the policies
of Helping Hands.
v Help adopters get started in the adoption process.
Qualification
v Volunteers must have attended a Volunteer Orientation.
v Volunteers must wear close-toed shoes and, if concerned with getting scraps and
scratches, should wear pants.
v Volunteers should be friendly and welcoming to the customers, so everyone has positive
experiences.
Training
v The training for Dog Walking and Dog Care is simple. The training sessions will occur
before your shift, from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM. They will teach you how to handle each
dog type, and anything that you may need to know to do your job to the best of your
ability.
Commitment
v Dog Walking and Dog Care go hand-in-hand in this position. You are working with the
dogs and helping the potential adopters interact with the animals at the same time. The
walking schedule is very flexible. The dogs are walked during slow times and when
there are enough volunteers. This way everyone gets to spend some time both walking
the dogs and helping potential adopters as they search for a pet.
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Major Objective: To ensure the adoption location is set-up on Friday afternoon and
completely broken down and put away on Saturday afternoon. If there is a two day adoption
event, then the break down would happen on Sunday afternoon.
Key Responsibilities
v Set Up
o Put crates together and place them in a row. Be certain all crates are sturdy. Set up
X-pens for puppies.
o Set up tables and tablecloths for both cats and small dogs (if necessary), and the
adoption section.
o Get folding chairs from specified areas and place them at the table.
o Set out beds, cat litter trays, cat water bowls, and dog water bowls.
v Break Down
o May need to assist in carrying and leading dogs to trailer outside
o Collapse crates and set in a stack on pallet.
o Take crate cards and any paperwork and place it with the important documents.
o Dispose of the hay from X-pens, cat litter, and water from bowls.
o Put dog beds in specified bags and cat beds in specified bags.
o Fold table clothes, collapse tables, and put folding chairs away in breakroom.
Qualifications
v Volunteers must be work oriented and practice safe working skills when collapsing and
assembling the crates, as they are metal and it is easy to pinch fingers.
v Volunteers must be registered and attend volunteer orientation.
Training
v Training for set up will take place on Friday instead of Saturday. For the best time to
arrive, refer to our volunteer Facebook page. The time to arrive will be posted. For break
down, the training will occur after the adoption event on Saturday.
Commitment
v Set up and break down is a crucial part of our organization. The more volunteers that
work, the faster it will go. If you plan on going to help, please tell us on our volunteer
Facebook page. However, if you cannot make it please let the Volunteer Lead know. Setup usually takes 1-2 hours and break down is usually an hour, so please plan accordingly.
Bianca Bunners, Adoption Ambassador
2015 Edition
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Major Objective: To be in charge of adorable, energetic, and of course energetic puppies!
This position will help potential adopters visit and interact with the litter of puppies at adoption
events.
Key Responsibilities
v Ensure that each person who approaches the puppies has used hand sanitizer, even when
changing between puppy litters.
v Answer any question potential adopters asks to the best of your knowledge.
v Under no circumstances can puppies be set on the floor. This rule protects them from any
germs that could be found on the floor.
v Only on rare occasions will volunteers be allowed to climb into the X-pens. No potential
adopters or their children may climb into the X-pens to play with the puppies.
v While not required, but because the puppies tend to push the hay out of the way and lay
on the floor, please move the hay back under them so they are not in direct contact with
the floor. Do not sacrifice customer service to potential adopters during this chore.
Qualifications
v Volunteers must attend Volunteer orientation and be registered with us.
v Volunteers working this position should not be afraid to be assertive.
v Volunteers must have a positive and friendly attitude so that potential adopters have a
pleasant experience.
v Volunteers should be familiar with the information on crate cards on the puppies X-pens.
v Volunteers must wear close-toed shoes, and if afraid of being scratched, wear pants.
Training
v Training will take place on the day of the event before work starts, from 10:30 AM to
11:00 AM. Be sure to listen to all the safety instructions given. Our puppies may not have
all their vaccines and therefore are more susceptible to getting sick.
Commitment
v Being in charge of the puppies can be a hard task. You must stay with them for the entire
duration of your shift. Come prepared to be assertive and hold your ground with the
customers. If you need to take a break, ask the Volunteer Lead or a fellow volunteer to
fill in and remind the replacements to make everyone use hand sanitizer.
Bianca Bunners, Adoption Ambassador
2015 Edition
20
We are a non-profit organization and have a limited budget based on our wonderful community
supporters. Therefore, we could always benefit from donated items or monetary donations to
continue our work placing shelter animals in forever homes.
Every day we receive calls and emails from shelters or people about dogs and cats that need to be
rescued. Many of these dogs and cats come to us with huge medical expenses well above the
typical spay/neuter & shots. If not for the caring of animal lovers, we would not be able to help
these pets. We rely on donations, sales from pet events, and fundraisers to raise money to keep
helping these sweet creatures alive. If you would like to open your heart in an effort to help us
continue in our mission to save as many dogs and cats as possible, please use the “Donate”
PayPal button below to make a one time or monthly donation or mail a donation to: Helping
Hands Pet Rescue, Inc., PO Box 484, Micanopy, FL 32667-084.
All supplies donated must be unexpired. Helping Hands is always in need of the following items:
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Dog/Cat Shampoo
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
Kong and Other Sturdy, Washable
Dog Toys
Wand-type, Interactive Cat Toys
Washable Plastic ball-type cat toys
HE (high efficiency) Liquid
Laundry Detergent
Dryer Sheets
Fabric softener
Unopened, unexpired Peanut Butter
Tennis Balls
Paper Towels
Large Trash Bags
Dog and Cat Food Bowls
Puppy Pads
Plastic Storage Bins
Fleece Blankets
Dry Dog, Cat, Kitten, or Puppy
Food***
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Canned Cat/Kitten, Dog/Puppy Wet
Food (any brand)
Dog and Cat Treats
Litter Boxes
Leashes and Collars (all sizes – non
retractable leashes)
Wire Crates (in good/gently used
condition)
Bleach
Cat/Dog Carriers
Hand Sanitizer
Gallon Zip Lock Bags
Plastic Sheet Protectors
Markers (washable, permanent,
etc.)
*** For food, we only accept dry Science Diet for cats
and dogs (all types)
Bianca Bunners, Adoption Ambassador
2015 Edition