Love is Kind

Essential Volunteer Capabilities

In order to ensure the safety of the animals in our care, as well as the volunteers that provide them with essential care and enrichment, Animal Care Services has the following essential requirements for participation in the volunteer program.

• Must love and enjoy working with dogs and/or cats
• Between 14 and 16 years of age

PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES

• Quick reflexes and ability to use both hands simultaneously (example: open cage door while handling animal).
• Ability to travel unaided on unpaved, uneven, rugged, slippery, and sometimes muddy terrain (both indoors and outdoors), as well as maneuver cramped spaces. 
• Ability to bend and squat in order to leash/harness, and/or pick up an animal. 
• Ability to stand for significant periods of time while walking dogs, socializing cats, or cleaning cages/ kennels. 
• Ability to see well enough to move safely throughout the building, distinguish animal body language, as well as read instructions and an animal’s paperwork. 
• Ability to hear if animal is giving warnings, such as growling, yelping, or hissing.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally.
• Ability to react quickly in order to prevent dogs or cats from escaping (example: ability to quickly pursue and retrieve any cats or dogs who have escaped from a kennel or cage. 
• Ability to cope with a very loud environment due to animal noises.

COGNITIVE CAPABILITIES

• Ability, once trained, to work independently with minimal supervision, while recognizing limitations in knowledge and abilities, knowing when to ask for help if needed.
• If lacking the ability to work independently, whether due to age and/or neurological abnormality, must be able to work alongside a parent or guardian with a focused attention on the task at hand.
• Ability to read and understand instructions and procedures.
• Basic reading, writing, spelling, and communication skills.
• Ability to handle redirection and constructive criticism without responding with negativity. 
• Ability to recognize potentially hazardous situations when working with the animals.
• Ability to remain calm with animals who are upset, behaves understandingly and confidently, and acts appropriately in these situations.
• Ability to communicate professionally and politely.
• Acceptance of the boundaries between the role of the volunteer and the role of the staff.
• Maintain a positive attitude and a solution-oriented approach to challenging situations, rather than resorting to complaining or gossiping.

It is our hope that the information provided serves as a thorough and useful tool for potential SPECIAL PROJECTS volunteers when deciding whether Animal Care Services is the right fit for you. 

Dress code: No open-toed shoes, no shorts, full length pants, must wear school or organization t-shirt. Please bring a copy of your photo, state ID- the day of.

I have volunteered my services to the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services Volunteer Program. I hereby release the City of San Antonio and Animal Care Services and its officers, directors, employees, advisors, agents, patrons, and volunteers from any liability, any loss, cost, or damage to me or my property arising out of or in connection with my activities and/or time spent in connection with this one-day special project and/or event. I certify that my statements in this application and other required forms, are true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I also agree that ALL statements made on this application may be investigated. I consent to the release of information, about my ability and fitness for volunteering with the City of San Antonio Animal Services Volunteer Program, by parties authorized by the City of San Antonio.

I hereby agree to serve as a volunteer for the City of San Antonio Care Services (ACS); a City-funded agency located at 4710 Sate Highway 151, San Antonio, Texas 78227, or any of its offsite locations, under the following terms and conditions:

• I agree that I will live up to the City’s CORE values of Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, and Professionalism.
• I agree that The Volunteer Coordinator will be the main point of contact for all ACS Volunteers. If the Volunteer Coordinator is not available, the next point of contact will be the Live Release Manager.
• I agree to dress in accordance with the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services for my assignment remembering that I am a volunteer and represent the City of San Antonio.
• I agree to report all injuries, bites and scratches that draw blood, immediately to the Volunteer Coordinator or supervisor on duty.
• I agree that in the event an ACS is not able to timely reach my Emergency Contact, I authorize the ACS to seek emergency medical treatment for me in case of an accident, injury or illness.
• I agree to respect the function of the permanent staff and to contribute to maintaining professional relationship between the staff and myself.
• I agree to carry out assignments in good spirit and to seek the assistance of the volunteer coordinator or supervisor on duty whenever I have a question regarding my assignment.
• I understand that the City of Animal Care Services or the Volunteer Coordinator may terminate my volunteer services for any reason at any time, upon notice of the other party. The City shall have no responsibility or liability because of such termination and no further responsibility of liability under this agree after such termination.
• I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold ACS, and its agents, officers, directors, and employees free and harmless from all liability arising out of all claims, demands, losses, damages, action, judgments of every kind and description that may occur to or be suffered by me by reason of activities arising out of this agreement.
• I agree to perform services for the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services on a volunteer basis. I understand that I will receive no money or other form of compensation to such services.

I hereby consent to and authorize the City of San Antonio, its publishers, licensees, and assignees, permission to use and reproduce still photographs and/or film footage taken of me (and/or photos taken of my child/children) in whole or pin part, with or without names, for editorial, trade of advertising purposes.

I also confirm that I waive all claims arising from such use for any additional compensation, damages, and invasion of privacy.

I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect and approve the finished products(s) and printed matter that may be unused in connection therewith.

I hereby agree to release and hold harmless City of San Antonio Animal Care Services, its officers, agents, and employees from all liabilities, loses, suits, claims, judgements or demands arising out of the use of pictures of other personal information for the purpose set out in this Consent and Release Form.

By signing the Consent and Release, I also acknowledge that I have been advised that my participating in the preparation of any materials by the above mentioned for the purpose set out herein for which my photograph or voice recording might be used is purely voluntary on my part.