Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes. SVASC promotes an equal opportunity volunteer policy. Volunteers are recruited and offered volunteer positions without regard to religion, gender, disability, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other condition. Volunteers who are under 18 years of age must have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian prior to volunteering. SVASC does not accept volunteers under the age of 14.

Volunteer assignments at SVASC may be short- or long-term positions. SVASC offers a variety of short-term volunteer opportunities for students and young adults who wish to fulfill community-service requirements for classes, social organizations, and scholarships. The SVASC also offers numerous long-term volunteer opportunities to members of the community wishing to volunteer on a permanent basis.

All interested individuals must fill out SVASC’s Volunteer Interest Application and submit it in person or by mail to the Volunteer Coordinator. The application is available at the front desk and on the SVASC website for downloading. All applications must be fully completed and signed by the applicant, and the Parental Consent portion for applicants under the age of 18 must be completed and signed by the applicant’s parent or legal guardian. All incomplete applications will be removed from consideration for SVASC volunteer program.

Yes, you can view and download/print the Volunteer Handbook HERE.

Volunteers who wish to interact with dogs, i.e. dog walking, bathing, playgroups, are instructed to follow SVASC policy. SVASC policy is designed to uphold the safety and well-being of the animals, staff, volunteers and all visitors to the shelter who may come in contact with the animals in their care. Volunteers are instructed to “sign in” and check the volunteer board for news and updates.
Volunteers who interact with animals are instructed to sanitize their hands before touching an animal and to sanitize their hands after each animal they handle. They are shown where the leashes are stored and asked to pick up a poop bag before leaving the building for dog walks. The volunteer coordinator provide instruction regarding the dogs that may be walked and those animals that may only be handled by staff. Instruction is provided regarding the opening and securing of cages. Each volunteer in training is then assigned a dog to walk. The trainer accompanies the volunteers on a suggested walking route around the shelter building. Instruction is provided regarding how to safely navigate a dog past visitors, other animals and other dogs being walked. All dog walkers must carry poop bags and properly dispose of waste from the dogs in their care.
This hands-on training continues until the potential volunteer and trainer agree that the potential volunteer is comfortable and capable of moving dogs safely through the shelter and on walks.

After a required background screening, the volunteer coordinator coordinates a date and time for the new volunteer to begin his/her first day of volunteer work. The volunteer coordinator or staff meets all new volunteers as soon as they arrive for their first volunteer session to provide guidance and answer questions or concerns that arise. Similar volunteer training is provided for volunteers who wish to work with cats.

Volunteers of SVASC are representatives of SVASC, Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro and should present a positive image to the public in both their conduct and dress during their volunteer assignments. Volunteers should conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times and dress in attire appropriate for an appropriate setting. Volunteers should be cordial, polite, and respectful to staff, patrons, and other volunteers of the SVASC at all times, and volunteers should present a neat, clean image with their appearance. Clothing with wording or logos that could be deemed offensive, obscene, or controversial is inappropriate, and clothing used to promote political preferences should be avoided. Volunteers should keep in mind the scope of their assignments, and clothing should be worn that is both safe and appropriate for the type of work the volunteer has been assigned. Clothing that is not permissible during volunteering includes, but is not limited to, the following: shorts of any kind, flip-flops, spaghetti-strapped shirts, dingy or “worn out” styled clothing, micro-mini skirts, low-cut blouses, clothing that reveals undergarments, and undergarments worn as outerwear. Volunteers assigned the receptionist desk or front facing position should avoid wearing jeans and T- shirts/sweatshirts, except on casual Fridays. In addition, obtrusive body jewelry should not be worn during volunteering. Volunteers should be easily identified within the SVASC and should wear their name tags during the course of their volunteer work. Volunteers should report lost or damaged name tags to the Volunteer Coordinator for immediate replacement.

SVASC is a drug-free workplace. The use of alcohol or illegal drugs on SVASC property is strictly prohibited. Reporting for a volunteer assignment under the influence of drugs or alcohol is grounds for immediate dismissal from SVASC’s volunteer program.