Volunteer acknowledges to be over the age of eighteen (18) years and agrees to become a volunteer for CHFC with charitable intentions to perform a variety of services, which may include, but are not limited to, animal handling, custodial work, adoption event participation, driving a vehicle, fostering, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein. CHFC will consider volunteers over the age of 16 with a parent or legal guardian consent. Any volunteer younger than 16, must have a guardian or parent present during volunteering hours.
Volunteer understands and agrees that Volunteer’s performance of Volunteer Services are without any express or implied promise of salary, compensation, or payment of any kind whatsoever. Additionally, Volunteer fully understands and agrees to provide Volunteer Services to CHFC without any employment-type benefits, including but not limited to, employment insurance programs, workers compensation accrual in any form, vacation or sick time or any other benefit typically received for employment services.
Volunteer understands that CHFC handles a large number of animals on a daily basis. The temperament of these animals is unknown to CHFC. Volunteer recognizes that in handling animals while performing Volunteer Services, there exists a risk of injury, including personal physical harm. Volunteer fully understands and agrees to assume all risks of personal injury, including bites, scratches, or other injuries, that may be involved in performance of Volunteer Services.
If Volunteer needs to utilize a personal vehicle in the performance of Volunteer Services, then Volunteer agrees to maintain registration and insurance coverage for the vehicle as required by law, as well as a valid driver’s license.
Volunteer agrees to use current CHFC contracts for all applications, adoptions, owner surrenders, and any other transaction for which CHFC requires a signed contract.
Volunteer agrees to comply with Public Act No. 11-187 (the “Act”). CHFC is registered as an animal importer and Volunteer’s status as a volunteer allows Volunteer to operate under CHFC’s registration. Volunteer’s compliance with the Act includes, but is not limited to, assisting CHFC in meeting the vet examination, record-keeping and adoption event notice requirements, and not participating in an adoption of a dog younger than 8 weeks. Volunteer also agrees to comply with all applicable statutes, regulations or ordinances in any other state as may apply in the performance of Volunteer Services.
Volunteer understands that CHFC expects high standards of moral and ethical treatment of the animals under CHFC’s care while performing Volunteer Services.
Volunteer understands that each and every volunteer, including minors, is required to have a signed Agreement on file with CHFC.
CHFC reserves the right to delete or modify in any way any posting under the CHFC name on any internet site, including marketing websites and social media websites, or anywhere else.
The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement will remain in effect until terminated by either party. Either party, in their sole discretion and for any reason whatsoever, may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to the other party, except that if Volunteer is Fostering a Foster Dog, then Volunteer must return Foster Dog to CHFC in accordance with section 15.B. Upon termination of the Agreement, any provision that by its nature is intended to survive such termination will survive.
Volunteer hereby agrees to defend, release, and hold harmless CHFC, including its Board Members, officers, agents, volunteers, and affiliates, from any and all claims, damages, costs, expenses (including attorney’s fees and court costs), actions, causes of action, fines, and/or penalties, arising out of: Volunteer’s performance of Volunteer Services at any location; Volunteer’s failure to comply with applicable laws; and/or Volunteer’s breach of any terms of this Agreement.
Volunteer also agrees to release and discharge CHFC for any and all personal property damage and/or personal injury that may arise during Volunteer Services. Volunteer understands that public relations are an important part of volunteering at CHFC. Volunteer agrees on behalf of Volunteer and his/her heirs, personal representatives, spouse, and executors to allow CHFC to use in CHFC’s public relations efforts any photographs or videos taken of or by Volunteer while performing Volunteer Services or stories about Volunteer while performing Volunteer Services. CHFC may use reasonable efforts to notify Volunteer of such use, but failure of CHFC to provide notification to Volunteer of such use will not prevent or limit in any way CHFC’s right to use the photographs, videos, or stories.
Subject to CHFC’s prior written approval, CHFC shall bear all health and veterinary care costs for its Rescue Dogs, including vaccines, microchipping, spaying or neutering, and boarding expenses.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of North Carolina, irrespective of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws. The parties agree to submit all disputes or issues arising out of or in connection with this Agreement to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court in Moore County, or to the United States District Court for the District of North Carolina, as may be appropriate.
Any notice required to be given under this Agreement shall be provided to P.O. Box 1219, Southern Pines, NC 28388 or caringheartscanine@gmail.com in the case of CHFC and to Volunteer’s mailing or email address.
This Agreement represents the full and final understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter described herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral, express or implied. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by a written statement signed by both parties. Failure of either party hereto to require the performance by the other party of any obligation under this Agreement will not affect any party’s right subsequently to require performance of that or any other obligation. Any waiver by any party hereto of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a continuing waiver of any such provision or a waiver of any succeeding breach or modification of any other right under this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, unenforceable or illegal, the validity, enforceability, and legality of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired.
Electronic signatures shall have the same effect as original signatures, and this Agreement may be executed in counterparts.
I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THESE ACTIVITIES WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGER INVOLVED, AND AGREE TO ASSUME ANY AND ALL RISKS OF BODILY INJURY, DEATH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, WHETHER THOSE RISKS ARE KNOWN OR UNKNOWN.
As consideration for being permitted by Caring Hearts for Canines, in the County of Moore County, North Carolina, and any lessor of Caring Hearts premises (“Lessor”), to participate in these activities, I forever release Caring Hearts, the State, the County, the Lessor, any fair affiliated organization, and their respective directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, contractors, and representatives (collectively “Releasees”) from any and all actions, claims, or demands that I, my assignees, heirs, distributees, guardians, next of kin, spouse and legal representatives now have, or may have in the future, for injury, death, or property damage, related to (i) my participation in these activities, (ii) the negligence or other acts, whether directly connected to these activities or not, and however caused, by any Releasee, or (iii) the condition of the premises where these activities occur, whether or not I am then participating in the activities. I also agree that I, my assignees, heirs, distributees, guardians, next of kin, spouse and legal representatives will not make a claim against, sue, or attach the property of any Releasee in connection with any of the matters covered by the foregoing release.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT BETWEEN MYSELF AND CARING HEARTS, THE STATE, THE COUNTY, AND THE LESSOR, AND SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.
If Signed by Parent or Guardian: I verify that the dangers of the activities and the significance of this Release and Waiver were explained to the Participant and that the Participant understood them.