Volunteer Policies and Procedures

Length of Commitment: No minimum length of commitment.  Some of the volunteer assignments, such as Special Events volunteers, are done on a periodic, as-needed basis.

Sign-In Procedure: Please record your arrival time on the Volunteer Log Sheet in the lobby.  Remember to sign out upon departure as well.  To receive credit for hours worked, you must sign in and out.  (It will also aid you when doing your resume to say you completed "X" amount of hours of volunteer work!)  This also helps us to keep track of who is active in the programs - a necessity!

Dress Code: Dress with your duties in mind, but please be neat.  Your appearance and conduct will reflect on our organization.

Off-Limit Areas: Some areas are off limits to volunteers unless they are scheduled to work there.

Dealing With the Public: Please do not answer the telephone.  CDHS staff or a board member will answer the phone during the hours we are open.  All other calls will be handled by the answering machine.

Volunteer Release Form: Each volunteer is asked to sign a release form waiver of liability for insurance purposes prior to beginning at CDHS.

Age Requirements: Critter Companions must be at least 13 years of age and accompanied by a responsible adult.  Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age to provide foster care.

Closing Statements

Please do not bring young children to the shelter when volunteering your time.  If your young children would like to visit the animals, please bring them during open hours when you are not volunteering.  For your pet's safety, and out of concern for the animals at the shelter, please leave your pet(s) at home.