RESCUE 101:BUTLER TOWN POUND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunities in Rescue

Advocate/Network

Clerical Work

Systems Updating

Photography/Videography

Transport (Coordination)

Fostering (Coordination)

Adoption Screening

Adoption Event Planning

Sponsor/ Fundraising

Donation drives

Rescue Coordination

Basic Training/Socialization

Temperament evaluation

Social Media

Additional Programs

Rules to Rescue

It is always about the animal.

Trust no one. Everyone is crazy.

Every dollar and every minute count. Don’t do nothing because you can’t do everything.

LOST DOG SO YOU’VE FOUND A DOG. WHAT DO YOU DO?

First Priority: Find Dog’s Owners

Even if you don’t agree with the condition of the dog you must make attempts to find dog’s owners.

1) Take a picture.

2) Post on Facebook: City, State : Date found, location found, brief description, multiple forms of contact information, and note you will require proof of ownership

3) Create a flyer with same information to pass out and hang up

4) Contact local animal controls and veterinarians

5) Notify local police departments

6) Alabama law requires you to hold 7 days.

Intake in to pound

Follows most of the same rules as a general citizen

Enter animal in to Intake system. Our system is Shelter Exchange.

www.shelterexchange.com

Post regularly for 7 days.

Stray Hold Ends NO ONE HAS CLAIMED THE STRAY. NOW WHAT?

Stray Hold Ends

“Glamour Shots”- You need good photos to appeal to all those needed.

Sponsor- The pound doesn’t have a vet fund so PetCaring is our friend.

Foster- This is the fastest way to learn about a dog however it removes urgency and makes the dog less appealing to rescues who only rescue high kill

Adopter- Evaluation is needed to determine best home.

Rescue- Best fit

Transport- Paid or Volunteer?

PHOTOGRAPHS A PICTURE IS WORTH A 1,000 WORDS.

Photographs

Require three good shots. Head, full body, and one expressing personality

The ASPCA has a webinar specifically for photos. There are several other options.

No bars, chain link, or crates.

Neutral or plain background. Nothing busy

Exercise the dog first but not to the point the tongue is hanging out

If possible, off leash photos are better. If not, relaxed leash or photoshop out.

People out of pictures for shelter photos. People in pictures for adoption listings.

It is all in the eyes

Bad*Bad body stance.

*Can’t see the eyes.

*Isn’t flattering to the dog

BetterLooking at camera

Relaxed Body

Background is too busy

Best Head shot only

Gets right in the eyes

Relaxed posture

When a picture just isn’t enough

A video should address all of the following to showcase the dog:

Riding

Walking on leash

Tricks

Interaction with cats, children, strangers, and other dogs

Can be filled with still shots

http://youtu.be/Q50nBiBJtRQ

Vetting

Basic Vetting Requirements

5-in-1 shot for Parvo/Distemper given to puppies on intake

Wormer: given to all dogs on intake

Spay/Neuter (Required by Alabama State Law)

Rabies Shot

Bordetella (Kennel Cough vaccine)

Heartworm check for pups 6 months and older

Heartworm preventive

Flea Tick Preventive

Microchip

$$$$$$$$$MONEY MONEY MONEY

How do you pay for it?

Petcaring, Go Fund Me, You Caring.

www.petcaring.com

Fundraisers

Local Donations

Adoption fees

Rescue Reimbursement

Grants

In-Kind Donations

Dog Food

Blanket/Towel Drives

Used/New Collars leashes

Dog Treats/Toys/Bones

Pee Pads

Crates/Kennels-Plastic or Wire

Even cat donations are appreciated because we can swap with another rescue

Evaluation IS THIS DOG “ADOPTABLE”?

Getting to know the dog’s personality

Note behavior on intake but don’t evaluate 1st day

People want to know:

Behaviors with People, Dogs, Kids, and Cats

Leash, house-trained, ride well, tricks?

Liability

Always remind people this is shelter environment and dogs act differently in each new situation

Be 100% honest on any faults. It is better to overly cautious.

Adoption

Adoption Websites

www.pro.petfinder.com

www.adoptapet.com

www.overstock.com

Application

Should request all contact information

Request current and historical pet information

References: personal and vet

Should remind potential adopter application does not mean adoption

Can be separate or the same as adoption contract. Should be witnessed by volunteer.

Include facility/rescue information several times

Screening

Talk to potential adopter about lifestyle and living situation.

Is it good fit for dog for which they are applying?

Personal References

Is this person who they say they are? Have you visited their home?

Vet Reference

Alter status of other pets, HW medication status

Home Visit

Will home fit dog for which they are applying?

Rescue

Rescue Networking

Facebook posts : City, State: Dog’s Name (or intake number) Gender, Breed Guess, Age guess, vetting information, current needs, and personality information. Detailed Contact information

Contact via E-mail and phone calls. Include exactly what needs are and shelter situation.

Always include a single picture when contacting but NO links on e-mail. This will send to junk folder

If it is an emergency contact via phone number if available.

Do not try to fit a square peg in a round whole. Study intake requirements before contacting.

Snout Count Rescue App

Rescue Screening

Similar process to adoption screening

Contact adopters and local animal control

If a facility ask for your contacts to tour

If on Facebook look to see if most intakes have pledges

Review adoption process and contracts

Transport

Options

Paid Transport

Volunteer Transport

Volunteer Relay Transport

Paid Transport

Screen similar to rescue

Looks for those with close drop-offs

Usually require prior vetting and quarantine. If they do not be wary.

Look at transport times to determine if/how often they are stopping

Pets LLC with Kyle is highly recommended.

Another cost to fundraise varies between $100-$200

Volunteer Transport (Single Driver)

Network for a driver to do the whole transport

This can be gas or mileage paid which requires more fundraising

If not free, gas is still less expensive than paid transport usually

Always screen drivers and request references

Sometimes can find other rescues willing to help with expenses

Relay Transport- Volunteer

Transport Coordinators

Mapping

Networking

Monitors

Sometimes gas money is provided

Cheapest form of transport

Depends on volunteers to fill to prevent rescheduling

Great method of identifying rescue contacts

Transporting

Do not bring your dogs with you

Cover your seats

If you have crates, use them

Pack paper towels, bleach, extra blankets, grocery bags, slip leashes

NPOG (No Paws on the Ground) typically for puppies

Have xpen

Plastic, blankets, or tarps can cover ground.

Fostering

Fostering

Provide love

Evaluate the dog further

Start basic training

Keeps dogs bathed for adoption events

Requirements vary based on dog same as adoption requirements

Foster Coordinator

Screens fosters

Handles issues of fosters

Adoption Events

Preparing for an adoption event

Schedule events with location

Promote event via flyers and Facebook

Recruit Volunteers

Recruit “Weekend Warriors” for dogs physically at pound

Dogs need bath, a little exercise for adoption event, and a place to stay from Friday afternoons to Monday mornings.

Arrange transport for attendees

Make sure all supplies are stocked in “adoption box”

Adoption Event Volunteers

Would like to have a 1:1 dog to volunteer ratio

Need to be prepared to answer questions on organization and individual dogs.

Walks dogs

Provides water

Cleans up messes

Walk potentials through adoption process

Arrange home visits

Supplies

For Dogs:Leash, Collar, Slip Leash

Flyer/Description for Each Crate

Copy of Vet Records for Adopter

Crate :Blanket, Toys, Chews

Xpen for puppies

“Tip” Jars for Donations

Handler for each dog

For Event:Tent

Signs

Table and Table Cloth

Chairs for Volunteers

Adoption Application

Volunteer Interest Forms

Donation Jars for Table

Pens

Other SuppliesSpray water bottle for corrections

Pee Pads

Extra Blankets

Paper Towels

Bags for trash and dirty clothes

Water Bowls

Clerical

Summary of Clerical Needs

Keep 2 copies of all records. One for facility one for adopters

Keep vet records sorted by active and inactive dogs. Keep adoption and transfer papers with vet records of inactive dogs

Make vet appointments and arrange transport

Enter dogs in to intake systems

Update Petfinder

Post to Social media pages

Contact rescues

Keep the “adoption box” up to date and stocked.

Manage wish list

Keep adoption board updated with intakes

Social Media

Social Media

The point is to engage your audience : A connected audience donates more time and money

Be transparent

Do not overdramatize. 8 ticks on a dog is not covered

Always have a zero drama tolerance on the page

ProgramsADDITIONAL PROGRAMS WE COULD HAVE WITH ADDITIONAL HELP

Outreach Programs

Microchip Program

Spay and Neuter Program

Transfer/Rehoming Program to Humane Societies

TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release)

Shelter/Fencing/Hay Programs