Thank you for offering your time to volunteer with Delaware SPCA. The work that we do for animals would not be possible without the help of our volunteers. Please read through the agreement below:

1. VOLUNTARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION. I acknowledge that I have voluntarily agreed to serve as a volunteer for Delaware SPCA. I offer to perform as a volunteer of my own volition. No one has demanded that I participate in any activity with Delaware SPCA.

2. NATURE AND SCOPE OF SERVICES. As a volunteer, I will be contributing my time and efforts to various programs and performing a variety of services (collectively, the “Services”). In the course of performing the Services, I agree:

a. To read the Volunteer Handbook (if applicable) and otherwise complete all required orientation, training, and paperwork relating to my volunteer position(s).

b. To disclose any physical or psychological limitations to appropriate staff before participating in any activity. Since I may be interacting with animals, healthy and sick, big and small, and may be lifting, carrying, moving or otherwise engaging in physical labor, I will be respectful of my own limitations and will inform staff of any such limitations.

c. To read and obey all safety rules and regulations, especially at the Delaware SPCA shelter. In interest of the safety of the animals, staff, and volunteers, I acknowledge the Delaware SPCA has the right to revoke volunteer privileges if these rules and regulations are not followed.

d. To treat Delaware SPCA staff, volunteers, animals, property, tools and equipment with respect and kindness. I will also return all Delaware SPCA property when my volunteer relationship ends.

e. That I or Delaware SPCA can terminate this relationship at will.

3. NO COMPENSATION. I agree to provide my Services without compensation. I will not be compensated for my efforts nor am I an agent or contractor of Delaware SPCA.

4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY OWN ACTS AND OMISSIONS. I hereby agree to be legally and financially responsible and will indemnify and hold Delaware SPCA harmless for my own acts and omissions relating to the services I am voluntarily providing to Delaware SPCA. I understand that I am not covered by workers’ compensation nor insured by Delaware SPCA during the performance of my volunteer Services and tasks, including when driving a vehicle or transporting an animal.

5. ASSUMPTION OF RISK. I am voluntarily participating in activities of Delaware SPCA with full knowledge of the risks and dangers involved and hereby agree to accept any and all risks of injury, death, or damage to myself and/or my personal property. As a volunteer, I may come into contact with and interact with animals, and such work entails risk of personal injury due to proximity with animals, dangerous equipment, long-distance driving, and other considerations. This risk includes but is not limited to being bitten, kicked, clawed, tripped, and possibly exposed to zoonotic disease.

6. PHOTO, VIDEO AND AUDIO RELEASE. I understand that as a volunteer of Delaware SPCA, I may be recorded on film, video or other electronic recorded images or other media recordings (“A-V Recordings”). I grant Delaware SPCA permission to copyright and use, reuse, publish and republish A-V Recordings, without restriction as to changers or alterations, for art, advertising, trade, or any other purpose. Further, I understand that all work product that I create in my capacity as a volunteer for Delaware SPCA will be the property of Delaware SPCA and that Delaware SPCA has the sole right to use, sell, publish, or transfer any such work product, in any and all media formats, including print, mechanical and electronic formats.

7. RELEASE. On behalf of myself, my heirs, personal representatives and executors, I hereby release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless Delaware SPCA, its staff, volunteers, members and Board of Directors from any and all claims, causes of action or demands of any nature or cause, including costs and attorney’s fees incurred by Delaware SPCA in connection with the same, based on damages or injuries which may be incurred or sustained by me in any way connected with any services to Delaware SPCA, including but not limited to animal bites, scratches, accidents or injuries. I also understand that as a volunteer, I am not covered by any worker’s compensation policies.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY. During my association with Delaware SPCA and thereafter, I will keep confidential, refrain from disclosing to others, and use only in the performance of any volunteer duties, all confidential information of Delaware SPCA that I develop or learn about during the course of my association. I understand that this agreement covers all confidential business and technical information and know how of or about Delaware SPCA, which is not generally known to persons outside of Delaware SPCA and which I have not been specifically authorized to disclose or use. Examples of confidential information include, but are not limited to, information on finances, membership and donors, volunteer performance, research and development, the condition of Delaware SPCA animals, campaigns, outreach programs and information received from others that Delaware SPCA has agreed to keep confidential. Any pictures or recordings of the Delaware SPCA facilities, pets, or staff members may not be used on social media sites without the expressed consent of Delaware SPCA.

9. I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT I WILL RELINQUISH ALL CLAIMS OR ACTIONS KNOWN NOW OR IN THE FUTURE AGAINST DELAWARE SPCA.

I am of legal age and legally competent to sign this agreement. I am signing this agreement of my own freewill without influence of a Delaware SPCA staff member.

10. TERM OF AGREEMENT. I acknowledge that this agreement will apply to the entire term of my volunteer relationship, starting with the date I first perform volunteer duties for Delaware SPCA, even if it pre-dates the date of this agreement, and continuing as long as I continue to be a volunteer and thereafter as is necessary to protect the interests and rights of Delaware SPCA arising herein with respect to confidentiality and use of my work products and/or A-V material as authorized above.