Information About Volunteering
The Humane Society has many things they need to accomplish to keep the Humane Society clean, the animals clean, the animals walked and exercised, and many other things. Sometimes they can't accomplish all these things by themselves, and they eagerly accept anyone who would like to volunteer to help make their jobs a little easier and to get the jobs done efficiently and done a little quicker. Most volunteers work one day a week for an hour and a half. This is because of the number of volunteers. If there are empty time slots, volunteers are welcome to help out another time, but are asked not to just "pop in" to volunteer because of the number of people that could be working there at that time.
Rules and Regulations for Volunteers
1. Sign up and pick up your volunteer tag and cage tag. Sign out and turn in your tags before you leave.
2. Always be courteous to visitors, but be sure to refer them to staff to answer questions.
3. Always ask an employee if you don't know the answer to a question or how to do a job.
4. If an animal is reluctant or scared, please leave it alone. Many of the animals that are received have a history of abuse or neglect. Many times they have had no socialization with humans or other animals before being turned in to the shelter. Often an animal will prefer to stay in his/her cage rather than to go for a walk or be petted. Do not force an animal out of his/her cage. If a visitor is interested in the animal, seek help from the staff.
5. Smoking is prohibited in the shelter or on the lawn.
6. Do not volunteer for any jobs for which you have not been trained by the staff.
7. Volunteers are not allowed behind the counter.
8. Please leave all valuables at home.
9. Volunteers must ask permission before making telephone calls from the shelter.
10. If you commit to an event or to a time period and you are unable to attend, you must call in advance to advise us of this so that we may make other arrangements.
For more information about volunteering, contact the Humane Society of S.E.M.O. at 2536 Boutin Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701-9251.
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