Expectations

We expect volunteers to develop/practice professionalism when serving the shelter.

Professionalism in the workplace points to one’s conduct, attitude, and behavior:

  • Present a professional image – dress and behave in the position to which you aspire.

  • Manage time efficiently – set your schedule, sign up for shifts, and show up on time.

  • Be productive – focus on your duties; don’t let yourself go under-utilized.

  • Demonstrate integrity – behave ethically; be accountable for your words/actions.

  • Be a problem-solver - brainstorm solutions and alternatives before reporting to staff.

  • Be resilient - manage challenges/setbacks with a positive attitude.

  • Provide excellence – exceed expectations; deliver results with pride.

  • Communicate effectively – speak with clarity/purpose; find common ground to make disagreements less contentious.

  • Develop self-awareness – learn your emotional triggers; accept/reflect on feedback.

  • Build relationships – collaborate with fellow volunteers, staff, and stakeholders.

Volunteer Code of Conduct

YCAS is dedicated to placing all adoptable animals and serving as a resource center for the community.

As a YCAS volunteer, I agree to the following Code of Conduct to benefit and protect the animals, volunteers, staff, and YCAS as an entity:

  • Support the mission, goals, and efforts of YCAS with a positive attitude.

  • Treat all YCAS staff, fellow volunteers, and customers with dignity and respect.

  • Approach my volunteer responsibilities with professionalism.

  • Follow dress code while volunteering at YCAS.

  • Attend required training and follow YCAS guidelines for safe handling of animals.

  • Respect and protect YCAS property, supplies, equipment, or assets.

  • Preserve confidentiality of information relating to the operations of YCAS that is not readily known or accessible to the public.

  • Maintain confidentiality of businesses, donors, employees, volunteers, and members of the public by protecting information managed by YCAS or agencies working with YCAS.

  • Contact management with questions or concerns about YCAS procedures, interpersonal communications, or my volunteer responsibilities.

  • Notify management via email if I need to terminate my volunteer relationship with YCAS.

Responsible Use of Social Media

All volunteers are responsible for protecting our reputation. The following guidelines apply to the use of all forms of social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) for both volunteering and personal purposes:

  • Help create a supportive community of volunteers and staff.

  • YCAS may use your content for marketing purposes, internally or publicly.

  • Do not disrespect, discredit or defame staff, volunteers, visitors, or adopters.

  • If you disclose your YCAS affiliation, state that your views do not represent those of YCAS.

  • Do not post comments about sensitive YCAS-related topics, even if you make clear that your views do not represent those of the shelter.

  • If you see content that reflects poorly on YCAS, report it to the Volunteer Coordinator.

  • Volunteers may be required to remove postings that constitute a breach of this policy.

  • Do not set up accounts for YCAS without approval by Volunteer Coordinator.

Volunteer Code of Conduct form

Commitment

In addition to animal handling skills and experience, volunteers are regarded in terms of their commitment to YCAS service:

  • Volunteers who cover recurring shifts

  • Volunteers who set schedules week-by-week

  • Volunteers who cover occasional events

We expect a commitment of one shift (two or three hours based on assignment) per week for six months and strongly encourage a recurring schedule. Volunteers who demonstrate a sustained and consistent commitment to service can impact both the state of our shelter and the welfare of our animals in broader and more lasting ways.

Volunteer Scheduling

Effective scheduling is critical to volunteer productivity, morale, and retention. We expect all volunteers to communicate their availability and schedule preferences, to sign up for their shifts, and to give 24-hour notice of absence (emergencies excluded) to the Scheduling Lead.

Dress Code

  • Long pants (below the knee)

  • Closed-toe shoes

  • Cat volunteers – a shirt that covers your upper body is required to protect from cat claws.

Set Your Schedule form - Cats

Set Your Schedule form - Dogs

Parking

Please park in a volunteer-designated space to ensure availability of parking for our customers. You may leave personal items in the Volunteer Office or out-of-view and locked in vehicle to prevent theft.

  • Open Hours: Juvenile Hall Parking Lot, east of shelter

  • Closed Hours: same as above or in front of shelter (otherwise reserved for the public)

  • Volunteers with mobility issues: in front of shelter (subject to change)

Safety & Sanitation

For a more efficient, safe, and positive work environment:

  • Always carry a radio in kennel area.

  • Do not wear ear buds in kennel area.

  • Do not block paths or doorways.

  • When in a dog yard, stay off your phone except to take pictures/videos for safety and professionalism.

  • Pick up and put things away, especially pet toys.

  • Pick up poop when you notice it (even if your dog didn’t make it).

  • Make sure the yard or room that you use is clean of debris when you are done.

  • Pick up trash and help clean public use areas.

  • Wash your hands between animals that you handle. This may slow you down but is critical to minimize spread of infection between animals, especially in times of large population numbers.

Right of way belongs to the person handling a dog; if both of you are handling dogs, the person exiting the building has right of way over the person entering the building.

Manage blind spots by calling out loudly “coming in/out/through” to announce your presence; check mirrors at the yard entrance and laundry room. When rounding a corner with a dog, you can “choke” up on the leash and lean your body out first to see if anyone is approaching; do not let the dog lead you at the end of the six-foot leash.

If a dog on the loose approaches you, your first priority is to protect yourself:

  • If you are NOT handling a dog and have NOT been trained to work with dogs classed at its level of difficulty, radio for help and, if possible, seal exits to keep the dog from entering other areas.

  • If you are NOT handling a dog but HAVE been trained to handle dogs at similar level of difficulty, try to approach calmly, offer treats, and retrieve the dog. If this does not work, seal exits to sequester the dog and call out loudly “loose dog.” Use your radio to alert Front Office; be specific about location (e.g., “Loose dog on Adoption floor”, “Need help in front yard getting dog back”).

  • If you ARE handling another dog, shorten the leash, turn around, and walk away until you can find someone to help, or put your dog somewhere safe, such as an empty kennel, yard, or double-door entrance (Yards 1-2) then call for help.

  • Consider picking up the dog if it is small enough to be held safely.

Report any injury immediately to staff on duty. If you or a visitor is bitten and bleeding:

  • Use first aid kit to clean and dress the wound; staff will assist.

  • Ask whomever was bitten to remain nearby while you report the bite.

  • Report the bite to a staff member by radio/phone or in person.

  • A bite report must be submitted by staff whenever the skin is broken - this is the law.

If a visitor refuses to follow your instructions, or you see anyone who appears suspicious, threatening, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol:

  • Do not confront the person.

  • Dog Volunteers: if possible, leave the situation, taking the dog with you; radio the Front Office, briefly state your problem and ask for help.

  • Cat Volunteers: use radio or check Patrol Office in Annex for assistance.

Animal Interaction

  • Treat all animals with respect.

  • Take the appropriate training before engaging with our animals.

  • Only work with animals you have been trained to handle.

  • Only work with animals that you are physically capable of handling.

  • Do not interact with animals in Quarantine

Customer Service

  • Introduce yourself by name and identify yourself as a volunteer.

  • Always be polite, attentive, and friendly.

  • Do not discredit, defame, or publicly challenge staff, visitors, volunteers, or adopters.

  • Actively listen – what do they really want to know?

  • Keep an open mind - refrain from judging a customer, staff member, or fellow volunteer.

  • Be conscious and aware of your verbal, physical, and facial expressions.

  • Refrain from using offensive language or confrontational expressions/reactions.

  • If you cannot answer a question, refer the visitor to staff and learn the answer together.