Volunteer Information

To fill out an application to become a PAWS Volunteer, click here!

We are excited that you are interested in volunteering with PAWS. It’s a great way to make new friends (of the two and four-legged kind)!  Our volunteers are an integral part of the success of PAWS. Each day they help to improve the lives of animals awaiting adoption. Volunteers can participate in a variety of activities including pet socialization, adoption event help, office duties, special event and fundraising activities and more.

Policies & Procedures

Volunteers are an essential part of Concho Valley PAWS. Volunteer services are invaluable to the animals and to the organization. The staff is familiar with the work of volunteers and depends on the assistance of the volunteers to keep our programs viable. In order to work well with the staff to promote the agency in the best possible manner, we ask that volunteers adhere to the following policies and procedures.

1. RESPONSIBILITY AND DEDICATION TO THE AGENCY & THE ANIMALS

  • Animals are to be treated kindly, gently, and professionally.
  • Volunteers must support our policies, both inside and outside of the organization.

2. PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE

  • Volunteers agree to conduct themselves in a professional manner with the animals, co-workers and public.
  • Volunteers are expected to take their commitment seriously.

3. ATTENDANCE

  • Volunteers sign in each time for hours worked. This is very important in order for us to track your volunteer hours.
  • Report to your job on time and complete your shift.
  • Each volunteer is asked to sign-up for a regular shift if possible. If more hours can be worked each week or month, this is an added benefit for agency as well as the volunteer.

4. VOLUNTEER BENEFITS

  • The opportunity to learn about and contribute to the welfare of animals.
  • Volunteers are eligible for recognition items upon the completion of minimum requirements.
  • Volunteers receive satisfaction in knowing they are making a difference in helping lost, neglected, abandoned and abused animals.

5. PLEASE WEAR YOUR VOLUNTEER BADGE AT ALL TIMES DURING YOUR VOLUNTEER TIME HERE.

6. FOOD AND DRINKS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE LOBBY OR ANIMAL AREAS.

7. PURSES, BAGS, AND CELL PHONES MAY NOT BE LEFT UNATTENDED.

8. SUPERVISION

  • Volunteers are supervised directly by the area or program Supervisor and indirectly by the Administrator.

9. ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES

  • Any accident or injury suffered by a volunteer must be reported immediately to their supervisor. Any bite or scratch is considered an injury and should not be treated lightly.
  • Volunteers are covered by the agency’s volunteer cap insurance. This insurance covers volunteers while performing designated activities at any PAWS functions.

10. PROPER DRESS

  • The volunteer’s attire should be neat, clean and presentable to the public.
  • Volunteers can purchase extra volunteer shirts.
  • No ripped jeans, sandals, or open-toe shoes should be worn (comfortable “tennis” shoes, walking shoes or flat heeled shoes with adequate foot protection should be worn).
  • The best protection against lively dogs and puppies is to wear jeans and long sleeve shirts. These also help protect you from cats’ sharp claws.
  • Dresses, skirts, short shorts or high heels are not appropriate articles of clothing to wear when working around animal.

11. SMOKING

  • Smoking is not permitted at any of our events. If you are at an outdoor event and smoke, you must distance yourself at least 50ft. from the event. City ordinance prohibits smoking in many places.
  • No smoking while handling any animals.

12. VISITORS

  • Volunteers may bring friends and family to work upon receiving approval from staff.

13 RESPECT THE AGENCY AND OTHERS

  • Volunteers are expected to abide by all policies and procedures of PAWS. Volunteers should always defer to the program coordinators and or Executive Director’s directives. All concerns should be directed to the program coordinators. If you feel the concern has not been appropriately addressed, you should contact the Executive Director by phone or email.
  • CONCHO VALLEY PAWS DOES NOT TOLERATE DAMAGING GOSSIP AND DISRESPECT FROM STAFF OR VOLUNTEERS. Gossip hurts people and damages organizations. This agency has a zero tolerance policy in regards to gossip, bullying or harassment. Everyone should treat one another with mutual respect. We are not here for ourselves, we are here to help animals. The welfare of the animals and the organization comes first.
  • RESPECT YOUR COMMITMENT! When you agree to volunteer for Concho Valley PAWS, we count on you to see your commitment through. If you ever find you can no longer keep your commitment, please let us know.
  • RESPECT OUR MISSION, VISION AND OUR STANCE. Everything we do at Concho Valley PAWS we do with the best interest of the animal in mind. Often we deal with difficult issues such as special needs pets, emergencies and injuries. We try to save every life we can. We are a no-kill program. The only time a pet will be euthanized in our care is when the injury or illness is such that treatment and quality of life is not possible.

Please complete and submit our Volunteer Application.

If you have any questions, email us at [email protected].