Volunteer Policies
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA! We will be so glad to have you on our team!
Before you start, we need you to read and accept our volunteer policies. If you have any questions about these policies, please email volunteer@caspca.org.
Volunteers will:
- Read and abide by the full Volunteer Handbook, as posted in the Volunteer Portal. The Handbook clarifies and expands on all the information summarized here.
- Adhere to both the letter and the spirit of all Organization rules as outlined in current CASPCA policies, posted notices, emails, or any other method of communication.
- Follow all safety regulations described in the orientation materials, displayed on posted signs, and communicated by staff members.
- Remain aware of volunteer policy changes, as communicated via email and posted signs.
- Engage in a positive and collaborative manner with all staff members, volunteers, and visitors to the shelter.
- Ask staff members for help when necessary or relay ideas, feedback, compliments, and complaints through designated communication methods. When in doubt, volunteers will communicate with the volunteer coordinator.
- Report all injuries and emergency situations to the front desk staff. CASPCA and its insurance companies are not liable for any payment of worker's compensation for any injuries incurred by a CASPCA volunteer.
- Arrive for all the shifts they sign up for on time. If volunteers need to cancel shifts, they will remove themselves from that shift or notify the volunteer coordinator at least 24 hours in advance, except in emergency circumstances.
- Sign in and out for each shift at the computer sign in station.
- Wear appropriate clothing including their name tags and volunteer shirts, and long pants and closed-toe shoes when working directly with animals.
- Complete at least six hours of service per month, unless they have set up an alternative arrangement with the volunteer coordinator.
- Understand that the CASPCA, without notice or hearing, may terminate their association with the shelter as a volunteer.
- Agree to hold in the strictest confidence all Confidential Information, unless required to disclose that information by law.
- Confirm that they have never been convicted of an animal cruelty charge and agree to update the CASPCA should this status change.
Volunteers will not:
- Receive any payment or employment-like benefits for their services or expect reimbursement for purchases.
- Represent the CASPCA outside of their immediate volunteer capacity. Only the executive director or their designees speak for the organization.
- Use CASPCA property for personal benefit.
- Harass or engage in a rude or offensive manner with staff members, volunteers, or members of the public.
- Bring a friend or family member who is not a registered volunteer along during a volunteer shift. Volunteers are encouraged to show friends and family around the shelter during the hours we are open to the public (12pm-6pm everyday), but they cannot perform any of their volunteer duties simultaneously.
- Smoke in the building or the courtyard. Ask the volunteer coordinator to point out the designated smoking area if necessary.
- Enter areas in the shelter designated "Staff only" or reserved for qualified volunteers if they have not received that qualification.
Volunteer Employment Practices
The CASPCA is committed to fair, nondiscriminatory treatment of all volunteers based on merit, performance, and ability, and believes that each volunteer has the right to work in a professional environment in which equal opportunities are promoted and discriminatory practices based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual preference or orientation, national origin, age, or physical or mental disability, are prohibited.
The CASPCA complies with all OSHA (Occupational Safety Hazard Administration) regulations. Copies of the written Hazard Communication Program in the SPCA employee lounge and in the veterinary clinic office. This book contains information on your Right to Know product labels and MSDS (material data safety sheets), recognizing hazardous materials, and what hazardous materials to which you could be exposed. If you have any questions pertaining to this information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
