Volunteer Application

Instructions: Please review the Volunteer Contract below. After reading and agreeing to it, select a username and password. You will then be directed to several pages where you may enter your contact information and upload your training certificates.

Background Check: It is a requirement of Sonoma County that all Volunteers pass a background check. We are working on a protocol that will allow applicants to obtain a Livescan Background Check locally at your convenience. The results of the background check will be kept confidential. Any possible problems/conflicts will be discussed and decided on an individual basis. There will be more details to follow.

Auditing the Classes: If you wish to audit the class, but are not able to become a volunteer and obtain an ID Badge, then you will not be required to get a background check.

ID Badge / Photos: When you have completed the application, required training, and passed the Background Check, you will receive a photo identification card. This card is the property of Sonoma County and must be returned immediately upon your resignation or dismissal. This identification card must be on your person at all times while you are volunteering during a disaster or drill. A standard headshot will be taken of you at one of the trainings. Sonoma CART requires you keep a standard head shot photo in your Volunteer profile at all times.   

Insurance: You are expected to carry your own medical insurance and vehicle insurance for personally owned equipment used during a disaster.

Attire: If your attire is inappropriate for a task, you will be reassigned to a safer position. This is for your and your co-workers' safety. Please do not wear open-toed shoes, short pants, dresses or skirts, or orange outer garments.

Health: If you are not in robust health, do not attempt to work on the Evacuation or Technical Rescue Team. There are plenty of opportunities to assist in areas that do not require a huge physical demand.

Behavior: Exemplary behavior from all volunteers is expected at all times. The incident command structure is to be respected and neither usurped nor ignored at any time. The on-duty supervisor is the ultimate on-site decision maker for all situations within the animal response program. If a duty schedule is in force, and if you are working outside your assigned time slot or work position, you may be sent home. Fatigue can cloud judgment, shorten tempers, and affect quality of work on subsequent shifts. Any confrontational behavior, evidence of illegal drug use, alcohol consumption, inappropriate smoking or vaping, willful failure to follow instructions, interference with others’ work, or evidence of theft may incur reassignment, surrender of badge, or relief of duty for a period of time. Any other obviously inappropriate behavior will be handled similarly.

Food and Shelter: You are expected to bring all necessary clothing, food, drinking water, medication, bedding, and personal care supplies needed during the first 48 hours of a disaster incident. If appropriate and feasible, bring your own shelter from rain or sun. You may not be able to return home or leave the facility to purchase necessary items.

Personal Preparedness: If your own family, loved ones, animals, home, or business are at risk from a progressing disaster, please take care of them before reporting to help others. If you have already committed to an immediate response, please let your supervisor know that you will be late or absent, especially if you are assigned to a leadership position.

The following is our Code of Conduct:

I will not deploy to a disaster unless the group has been authorized.

I will not wear Sonoma CART clothing, nor use Sonoma CART/Sonoma County badge if I respond with another animal rescue group.

I will respect and follow the Incident Command System.

I will not make negative comments on social media, criticize Sonoma CART or other responding partner groups.

I will not judge animal owners, and will work with them to help their animals.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES AS STATED. I AGREE TO ALL CONDITIONS OF THIS CONTRACT. I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I BREAK THE RULES OF THIS CONTRACT, I MAY HAVE TO SURRENDER MY ID CARD AND FORFEIT MY VOLUNTEER STATUS PERMANENTLY.