As of December 2021 masks are optional while volunteering. But AAR urges all volunteers to continue to be respectful of others; please notify your volunteer coordinator and do not come if you have a temperature or feeling unwell.

Once approved, your application will be active for 30 days. If you are not able to complete training within the 30 days, you will need to resubmit an application.

IMPORTANT: Due to the time and expense of training and maintaining volunteers, AAR requires all volunteers to fulfill TWO 2-hour shifts per month. If this is not within your availability, this may not be the time for you to volunteer.

BEFORE FILLING OUT THIS APPLICATION, PLEASE READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS.

DO NOT USE THIS APPLICATION FOR COURT-ORDERED COMMUNITY SERVICE.

COURT-ORDERED COMMUNITY SERVICE link:

https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=901710492

**EACH VOLUNTEER APPLICANT MUST FILL-OUT THEIR OWN FORM**

**PARENT and CHILD MUST EACH FILL-OUT A SEPARATE FORM UNDER THEIR OWN NAME**

**MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER IS 14 YEARS OLD**

**14-15 YEAR-OLDS MUST HAVE A PARENT APPLY and VOLUNTEER w/ THEM**

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE READ and UNDERSTAND the VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK. A link is available at www.aartexas.org - Get Involved tab. It details the requirements of volunteering, AAR’s responsibility to the volunteers and the volunteers’ responsibility to AAR.

Please make a note of your ID and password, you will need it to access Volgistics for scheduling, news, contacting AAR management, important documents and more.

If you don't hear back within 2 days or if you need more info, email: volunteer@aartexas.org

Be sure you always receive our email!

Many people use email filtering tools to reduce the amount of unwanted SPAM they receive. In some cases, these email filtering tools can also block legitimate mail from reaching you. If your email system uses SPAM filters, you can prevent these filters from blocking our email messages by adding our mail system's email addresses to your safe sender list or white list: mailer@volgistics.com and volunteermail@volgistics.com

TO BE AN AAR FOSTER: Use the appropriate link:

For kittens/cats: https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=798584143

For puppies/dogs: https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=1564421488

Contact Information

First name:

Last name:

Title:

Street 1:

Street 2:

City:

State:

* Zip: *

Work phone:

Cell phone:

Demographics

For the safety of the volunteers and of the animals, the various areas have different age and training requirements.

Date of birth:

Age range:

Gender:

Describe Your Interest in Volunteering.

Check the box below that most closely describes why you are applying.
If you need Court-Ordered Community Service, use the link at the top of this page. Do Not submit this application.
If you are interested in a Group Work Day or a Project, please contact volunteer@aartexas.org. Days and times usually will need to be arranged weeks in advance.
How did you hear about volunteering at AAR? (Use comment box below)

* Reason(s) for volunteering:

A desire to help animals

Court-ordered-use court-ordered link

Philanthropic Organization Service

Project / Group Work Day (TBApproved)

School/Honor Society Service

Use this box for how you heard about AAR.

Shelter Volunteering Preference

Please indicate your on-site Training Assignment Preference.

NOTE: Training Assignments are based on where AAR currently needs volunteers. We will try to honor your selection, but you may not be able to train for all your selections.

For more info, open this link:

https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/od?from=272104

NOTE: Cattery volunteering is for 8 am shift only. Afternoon shift is for senior volunteers only. Cat Adoption Counselor has limited availability and you must be an experienced volunteer in the Cattery.

NOTE: All volunteers will be contacted when we need help for an event, maintenance or yardwork.

PLEASE RESPECT THE AGE REQUIREMENTS (in parentheses) FOR THE VARIOUS VOLUNTEERING AREAS. NO EXCEPTIONS.

If you are a parent volunteering with a 14-15 year old, you will be required to have your child under your direct supervision during volunteering. We expect the child to understand that this is work – not playtime, not cell phone time, not texting time!

* Assignment Preference:

1st choice:

2nd choice:

Emergency Contact

In the event of an emergency whom should we notify?

First name:

Last name:

Home phone:

Work phone:

Cell phone:

Relationship:

Relative / Guardian Contact Info

If you are 14-17 years old, please include a parent or guardian's name and contact information. If you are a parent or guardian volunteering with a 14-15 year old, please include your child's name(s). DO NOT include a child's name unless the child is going to volunteer.

IMPORTANT NOTE for parents volunteering w/ 14-15 year olds: you will be required to have your child under your direct supervision during volunteering. We expect the child to understand that this is work – not playtime, not cell phone time, not texting time!

1

2

First name:

Last name:

Home phone:

Cell phone:

Email address:

Relationship:

3

4

First name:

Last name:

Home phone:

Cell phone:

Email address:

Relationship:

VicTouch Volunteer Sign-In

In order to sign-in as a volunteer, you MUST create a PIN.

**2 to 9 digits

**NUMBERS ONLY

**NO letter characters, spaces or punctuation.

**NO "leading zeros" (for example, 000123 will be changed to 123).

NOTE: If you submit a PIN that does not meet the above, or is already in use, it will be changed.

NOTE: PINs must be unique to each applicant.

MANDATORY!Choose a PIN (2-9 NUMBERS - NO LETTERS - NO LEADING ZERO) that is unique to you & easy to remember.

Skills & Experience

In which of these areas do you feel you have moderate to excellent skill? Check all that apply.

Foster Applications

If you would like to be an AAR approved foster parent, fill out the foster application form(s) using the below link(s):

For kittens/cats: https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=798584143

For puppies/dogs: https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=1564421488

Court-ordered Community Service

If you are applying to do court-ordered community service, please fill-out the application using the below link:

https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=901710492

Email and Message Preference

AAR depends on email to communicate with volunteers re: help wanted emails, cat/dog alerts, cat/dog medical issues, announcements, etc. Texting is used on a limited basis; usually between the Volunteer Coordinator and a specific person.

Email address:

I Agree

I understand and agree that submitting this application form does not automatically register me as a Abandoned Animal Rescue (AAR) volunteer, and that there may be certain qualifications I must meet, including the acceptance of established volunteer policies and procedures before I may begin volunteering.

Job Description:

Overall: Requirements of volunteering at AAR include following the directions of the shift leader, handling animals of various sizes and temperaments, and representing AAR to the public in a positive manner. The work can be physically demanding; it is often messy, wet, and smelly, and outdoor animal care will be in rain or shine. Animal shelter work means you must be prepared to cope with the presence of injured or ill animals, euthanasia, turning away animals due to lack of space, dog fights, and other mental stress. If some of the work is too physically difficult, AAR will make every effort to find volunteer work that you can do, but cannot guarantee we will be able to do so.

Dog Care: Requirements of volunteering with dogs include being able to read cage tags & follow directions, reach into cages to remove & carry puppies to outdoors, deal with dirty bowls & bedding, use a pressure sprayer. You must be able to carry laundry, stand and do dishes, sweep & mop the floor, and deal with bleach and other cleaning products. Some volunteers may be required to read the chart, and give medications.

Cat Care: Requirements of volunteering in the Cattery include being able to read cage tags & follow directions, reach into cages, remove cats, dirty bowls & litter boxes. You must be able to carry laundry, stand and do dishes, sweep & mop the floor, and deal with bleach and other cleaning products. Some volunteers may be required to read the chart, and give medications.

Volunteer Agreement:

I have agreed to work as a volunteer for Abandoned Animal Rescue (AAR) and do so of my own free will. As a volunteer I am not an employee or agent of AAR. I understand this role does not include compensation or payment of any kind. Furthermore, I acknowledge that AAR does not offer health insurance, workers’ compensation insurance or any such employee benefit to volunteers.

Risk Agreement:

I fully recognize and accept that volunteering has risks and unforeseen dangers (such risks could be, but are not limited to: mental/emotional stress or physical injury). I have read the detailed Job Description for the volunteer duties I am accepting and understand the minimum requirements. I understand that I have the right to review each activity prior to my participation and choose to participate of my own free will. Although AAR makes every effort to temperament test all animals prior to accepting them into the shelter, there is always an inherent risk in dealing with animals (including, but not limited to, for example, dogs may bite, cats may scratch or bite). AAR does its best to evaluate the health of all animals in its care and alert the volunteers of any potential issues or dangers. However, there is always a risk of getting ringworm or other diseases from animals. AAR highly recommends a tetanus shot for all volunteers. If you have animals at home, AAR recommends alerting your veterinarian that you are volunteering at an animal shelter.

Waiver, release, hold harmless and indemnification agreement:

I acknowledge that participating as a volunteer with Abandoned Animal Rescue poses potential risks of serious bodily injury, death, or property damage. Therefore, in consideration for being allowed to participate as a volunteer, I on behalf of myself and my heirs or executors I hereby WAIVE, RELEASE, and DISCHARGE Abandoned Animal Rescue, its officers, directors, administrators, employees, consultants and agents from any claims, costs or liabilities for personal injury, illness, death or damages of any kind which I may have now, or at any time in the future, resulting or in any way related to my participation as a volunteer. I additionally AGREE NOT TO SUE any of the persons or entities mentioned above for any claims, costs or liabilities that I have waived, released or discharged herein.

I have read or will read AAR’s Volunteer Handbook that includes, among other information, a description of the volunteer program, job description, rules & policies, and no-kill philosophy. If you have not received a copy, email volunteer@aartexas.org and request one. I pledge to act and perform within those expectations.

I understand that the AAR Board reserves the right to end my volunteer participation if deemed necessary for the safety of other volunteers, animals, or is in the best interest of the shelter.

By submitting this form, I attest that the information I have provided on the form is true and accurate. If I am under 18, I attest that I have received parental permission to volunteer.

I Agree