Volunteer Application Form

Five Acres Animal Shelter is a non-profit animal welfare organization, founded in 1973 and serves all of St. Charles, as well as across the state and country. We are the only no-kill animal shelter in St. Charles, Missouri.

Five Acres Animal Shelter heavily relies on donations, fundraising, and the efforts of volunteers to support our programs. Five Acres Animal Shelter offers programs to benefit animals and educate the public about pet care, safety, the importance of spaying and neutering, and many other topics.

Some of our animals come from animal control facilities from other municipalities, where they are at risk of euthanasia and others come from private citizens who are no longer able to care for their pet(s). We love and care for these companion animals until we find their forever family. We never euthanize an animal to make space for more. All of our adoptable pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, given preventatives; and cats are tested for FeLV and FIV.

We are NOT currently accepting new volunteers at the Five Acres Animal Shelter– Pralle location. However, we have exciting volunteer opportunities now available at our newest location – Five Acres– Randolph.

Minimum Requirements

- Must be 18 years old

- Must be gentle and compassionate with animals

- Must enjoy working with animals and people

We need dog walkers, kennel cleaners, cat enrichment volunteers, shelter helpers, front desk reception helpers, and volunteers to help with dishes and laundry.

PLEASE NOTE: Volunteering at an animal shelter can include strenuous activity. While the following requirements may not apply to all volunteer opportunities, some of the listed requirements and areas may apply to you and your specific preferred volunteer opportunity. For specific opportunities where physical requirements are required, volunteers must have the ability/willingness to:

- follow oral and written instructions

- establish effective working relationship with staff, other volunteers, and the public

- perform moderate manual labor or common office duties

- function while being exposed to the shelter environment (i.e. constant noise/ barking, animal hair and dander, cleaning chemical odors, etc.)

- safely and efficiently operate assigned equipment after appropriate instruction (washer, dryer, broom, mop, water hose, high pressure washer, computer, disinfectant *equipment used depends on volunteer assignment

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PROSPECTIVE DOG WALKERS:

We are currently accepting dog walkers who meet the following requirements:

- have weekday morning, or weekend availability

- have experience walking and handling large dogs

- are able to consistently commit to a minimum of 6 hours per month for at least 6 months

If you meet the criteria for dog walking and are 18 or older, here are your next steps to becoming a volunteer for Five Acres Animal Shelter!

1) Complete the application below. Fill out completely.

2) After review of your application to make sure we are a good fit for you and you are a good fit for Five Acres, we will extend an invitation to attend a Volunteer Orientation (at this time, all Orientations are being scheduled via Zoom - dates and times will be shared with you).

3) After Orientation, we will give you instruction on how to access your Volunteer Page. Specific assignments will not be opened up until you complete Shadow Training.

NOTE- Those who would like to volunteer with our dogs must complete at least 2 Shadow Training sessions. Those wishing to work with cats will need to schedule at least one Shadow Training.

4) Once Shadow Training is complete, click on your My Schedule tab to see which of your preferred shifts are available and sign up!

Name and Address

First name:

Last name:

Street 1:

Street 2:

City:

State:

* Zip: *

Cell phone:

* OK to call me here

Email address:

Emergency Contact

Please list someone who we may contact in the event of an emergency.

First name:

Last name:

Home phone:

OK to call here

Cell phone:

* OK to call here

Relationship:

Demographic Information

Date of birth:

Age:

Gender:

T-Shirt size:

Volunteer Opportunities

Professional Skills

Please list any professional skills that you have that may be helpful to Five Acres.

Other skills you'd like to let us know about:

Read and Agree to the following:

I hereby submit application to participate as a volunteer of Five Acres Animal Shelter and agree to be governed by the rules and regulations as set forth by the shelter.

As a volunteer of Five Acres Animal Shelter, I recognize and acknowledge that the behavior of domestic animals is sometimes unpredictable and I agree to assume the full risk of any injuries, including death, damages, or loss which I may sustain as a result of volunteering in any and all activities connected with the Shelter. As a volunteer of Heartland, I recognize and acknowledge that volunteering at an animal shelter can be a very physically demanding task and might bother some people with allergies. While some of these requirements and areas may not apply to me and my specific volunteer opportunity, I understand I might be asked to do the following and understand the risk involved.

I do thereby fully release and discharge the Five Acres Animal Shelter, their officials, directors, supervisors, and employees from any and all claims from injuries, including death, damages or loss which may occur to me on account of my volunteering with the Shelter. I understand that I cannot be covered under Five Acres Animal Shelter's insurance and I must have my own health insurance provider.

I give Five Acres Animal Shelter authority to seek emergency treatment, if necessary in the event of an accident. I understand that in the event of an accident while performing volunteer services, I will not be covered by Workman's Compensation for medical costs. I fully understand that I am responsible for all medical costs in the event of an accident. I understand that because I may handle animals, it is important to have a tetanus vaccination prior to volunteering and to discuss the importance of being vaccinated with my physician. I understand that whatever decision I make is at my own risk and if my vaccination is not current, I release Five Acres Animal Shelter from all responsibility and liability in the event of personal injury and any complications as the result of me not pursuing the matter further. Your safety is the primary concern at Five Acres Animal Shelter. All volunteers MUST read and accept the terms below prior to using any chemicals and/or cleaning agents. Proper chemical and cleaning agent dilution and application are essential to an effective cleaning regiment and necessary for the safety of persons using the chemicals. I understand the importance of properly using the chemicals and cleaning agents used here at the animal shelter.

I know of no medical or other condition which would prevent me from volunteering at Five Acres Animal Shelter. I also understand that I am a volunteer, and cannot represent the shelter in any legal or incident matters.

Checking "I agree" indicates that I have read, understand, and agree to the above and am OVER 18 years of age.

________________________________________________

I certify that all information on this application is true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that filling out a volunteer application does not guarantee my acceptance into the volunteer program.

I Agree

Five Acres Animal Shelter